So what did I get out of all this?
This is my last post. I might add a couple more photos or something but I’m done hiking so I’m wrapping up this blog. Here’s my final thoughts, although I’d like to edit and add more to them, and sorry it took so long to get this last piece of the puzzle (see #5) up online.
Top 5 things I missed, or have a newfound appreciation for:
1. Climate Control. In the first few days I spent around me dad's house, I subconsciously stayed awake throughout the nights, with the lights on and listening to music or whatever. And during the day, I'd hit the lights, close the blinds and watch a movie or something in the dark. Being able to adjust the overhead lighting is nothing short of playing God. Yes I had a headlamp while I was hiking, but that just gives you focused light, like looking at the world through a periscope. Being able to have a bright and sunny world at 11pm and a dark and cozy one at 1pm really is defying “God’s Will”. Harnessing electricity is mankind’s greatest triumph over the natural world.
Although some things were arguably better in the hiking condition. Getting up to pee in the night, I'd just click on my headlamp and stumble however far I deemed necessary. To walk across the house, however, requires the successful navigation of 4-5 light switches as you move throughout the house. I kept forgetting that light doesn't come from my forehead, and I keep reaching for it and would be stuck standing there, looking like a I'm pretending to be a unicorn, before realizing it. But lights, as well as overhead fans, A/C, window shades, thermostats, and more are amazing. Furniture is something I can’t even begin to discuss, and would probably be #6 if this list expanded to a top 10.
2. Women. Now keep your head out of the gutter on this one (though I miss them that way too) but I just mean the COMPANY of women. The PRESENCE and INFLUENCE of them. I've always been more of a ladies' man than a man's man. I've been living in a world without a woman's touch. And, as James Brown puts it, "it's a man's world, it would be nothing without a woman or a girl." I become more nerdy, slovenly, anal-retentive, and just upset without women. I'd like to think that the perfect woman is one around whom I can be all nerdy and slovenly, as that's my natural state ("Let's eat a lot of ice cream and watch Lord of the Rings!"). But all the pros and cons of being domesticated are gone when I'm stuck in the woods without the company of women. I missed just having them around. Flirting, or even just listening to women interact with other women. I got so sick of the “manly” conversations people would attempt to engage me in. Being out of the ballpark, much more than home runs you just miss stepping up to the plate.
Every woman gets about a 2 1/2 point bump in the eyes of a lonesome hiker, so a 4 1/2 becomes a respectable 7 and a 7 1/2 becomes a perfect 10. Basically all single strait women within a decade of my age are attractive to me now. And, more than anything, it's just great having them around.
3. Cotton. It's sucked wearing these 21st-Century fabrics 24/7. A nice cotton tee goes a long way. When was the last time you went 6 months without wearing jeans? Cotton (or just "comfy clothes") is such a luxury I can't even begin to articulate it. And being able to wear one comfortable cotton outfit one day, and then being able to wear a completely different cotton outfit the next, and not have to carry the other outfit the whole time, is absolutely fantastic.
4. Not having to unpack and repack everything every time I move. Don't even think about the weight. Just imagine having to pack your whole house into your car every time you drive somewhere. I took George Clooney’s character from Up In The Air a little too literally about having your whole life in a backpack. It’s exhausting. People may say you don’t get too attached to places you are temporarily, and that’s true. But if you’ve ever been in one hotel room and then been forced to move to another you know it’s not enjoyable. And now imagine that over and over and over again, every time you go anywhere.
5. A Lack of Perfectionism. It sucks having to reach 100%. How many groceries are in your pantry? When I would get to a town I often would have literally no food left. Imagine going grocery shopping, and then eating exactly everything you bought (no more no less) over, say, 5 days, and then going back to the store. Repeat. You might think that's what you do already but I promise you, you do not. Some specific food, sure. You buy milk, run out, then buy more. But spices, condiments, dressings? These you seem to never run out of. You may see an empty pantry when you zone off at it and proclaim there’s no food in the house, but I wholeheartedly disagree.
When I hiked the Tahoe Rim Trail last summer I (incorrectly) said I wasn’t going to thru-hike anything again, because I didn’t like that “pushing thru to get to 100%” mentality. It’s nice to just do stuff, not do 100% of something. I’m a big dabbler, and I’ve oversaturated myself with hiking, which was just a light hobby before this.
So go out there and hike, but not too much. Interact with those you find attractive and for heaven’s sake wear what feels comfortable and adjust the rest of your adjustable context to your comfort. But that which you can’t control you shouldn’t focus on, and none of us control 100% of our world. Thanks for reading this and I’ll let you know if I decide to do another blog on some other adventure. I’m writing this as I commute via trail through Louisiana so I’m still cursed with the need to be transient, but I’m looking forward to spending as much time as possible in the same place, whereever that may be.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Grocery Shopping
So most of my "adjustmenting" has been lying around the house, appreciating television and climate control (More On What I've Missed Most In A Future Post, Coming Soon). I did go to the grocery store, which had my folks worried about me having culture shock. Here's what I expected to experience:
"Hi there! You grocery shopping?" Yep. "Doing the whole store?" Yep. "Ah man that's so cool. I'm just here to get some milk. You see I have a job and my wife and kids are waiting out in the car, otherwise I'd shop through the whole store." Okay. "When'd you start?" About 20 minutes ago. "And when do you hope to be done?" I don't know, 10 minutes from now? "Did you hear about that girl that shopped through every aisle in 4 minutes?" Yeah vaguely. "You going Bakery to Pharmacy or Pharmacy to Bakery?" Pharmacy to Bakery. "Oh really? Most people don't go that way, as the main entrance is near the Bakery and Checkout is closer to the Pharmacy side. Ah so you're almost done! You only have like 2 aisles left in the store. Congratulations! Hey man you want some coupons?" Um, sure. "Yeah, you know, Grocery Magic. I like to give to others sometimes." I see. "How many things do you put in your cart per aisle?" I don't know, it varies. "You got some Corn Flakes in your cart, you really like Corn Flakes?" Obviously. "I prefer Raisin Bran myself. It's got more fiber per serving, it's got environmentally-friendly packaging, plus a dual-core 3 GHz processor." I don't care. "And you should really eat your cereal in Almond milk. That's what I'm here to buy." So go do that. "Have you seen any of the people who work here?" Yeah, a mom and two cubs. "Oh man what'd you do? I'd have been so scared" Just went about my business. It's more concerned about restocking the aisles and protecting its young than bothering with you. But if you just leave your food lying around they'll take it back to their den. "You grocery shopping all by yourself?" Yes. "You ever get lonely?" That's the furthest thing from the truth right now. "Yeah my friend Mike's cousin thru-shopped the grocery store back in 2005........"
And then repeat. With every single person you pass in the store. Again. And again. But lo and behold it was not like that. People kept to themselves. And, despite having very narrow aisles that forced you to pass within close proximity of each other, you did not end up sucked into a 20 minute conversation while your ice cream was melting. No, I said maybe four polite words to the woman at checkout and I didn't utter a single other word the whole time I was in there. It was awesome.
I was a bit of a recluse before I started, and some might think a 6-month hike would change that. But in actuality I moved in the opposite direction of what most would think: I'm even more of a recluse. It's not that I'm now afraid of the big, bad world out there now. It's never seemed less intimidating, to be honest. But my time on the A.T. was, in fact, time spent in public space. I've had no privacy. At any given moment a stranger might walk up and sleep 6 inches next to you sleeping in a shelter. While I now trust in the goodness of mankind more than ever (I never met a single hiker the whole time who had had anything stolen from him/her on the trail) I do believe that to achieve Happiness (and Security) is to be able to sleep behind a locked door. I'll post a list of what I've missed or appreciate the most soon, and being able to lock the place where you sleep at night is one of them.
"Hi there! You grocery shopping?" Yep. "Doing the whole store?" Yep. "Ah man that's so cool. I'm just here to get some milk. You see I have a job and my wife and kids are waiting out in the car, otherwise I'd shop through the whole store." Okay. "When'd you start?" About 20 minutes ago. "And when do you hope to be done?" I don't know, 10 minutes from now? "Did you hear about that girl that shopped through every aisle in 4 minutes?" Yeah vaguely. "You going Bakery to Pharmacy or Pharmacy to Bakery?" Pharmacy to Bakery. "Oh really? Most people don't go that way, as the main entrance is near the Bakery and Checkout is closer to the Pharmacy side. Ah so you're almost done! You only have like 2 aisles left in the store. Congratulations! Hey man you want some coupons?" Um, sure. "Yeah, you know, Grocery Magic. I like to give to others sometimes." I see. "How many things do you put in your cart per aisle?" I don't know, it varies. "You got some Corn Flakes in your cart, you really like Corn Flakes?" Obviously. "I prefer Raisin Bran myself. It's got more fiber per serving, it's got environmentally-friendly packaging, plus a dual-core 3 GHz processor." I don't care. "And you should really eat your cereal in Almond milk. That's what I'm here to buy." So go do that. "Have you seen any of the people who work here?" Yeah, a mom and two cubs. "Oh man what'd you do? I'd have been so scared" Just went about my business. It's more concerned about restocking the aisles and protecting its young than bothering with you. But if you just leave your food lying around they'll take it back to their den. "You grocery shopping all by yourself?" Yes. "You ever get lonely?" That's the furthest thing from the truth right now. "Yeah my friend Mike's cousin thru-shopped the grocery store back in 2005........"
And then repeat. With every single person you pass in the store. Again. And again. But lo and behold it was not like that. People kept to themselves. And, despite having very narrow aisles that forced you to pass within close proximity of each other, you did not end up sucked into a 20 minute conversation while your ice cream was melting. No, I said maybe four polite words to the woman at checkout and I didn't utter a single other word the whole time I was in there. It was awesome.
I was a bit of a recluse before I started, and some might think a 6-month hike would change that. But in actuality I moved in the opposite direction of what most would think: I'm even more of a recluse. It's not that I'm now afraid of the big, bad world out there now. It's never seemed less intimidating, to be honest. But my time on the A.T. was, in fact, time spent in public space. I've had no privacy. At any given moment a stranger might walk up and sleep 6 inches next to you sleeping in a shelter. While I now trust in the goodness of mankind more than ever (I never met a single hiker the whole time who had had anything stolen from him/her on the trail) I do believe that to achieve Happiness (and Security) is to be able to sleep behind a locked door. I'll post a list of what I've missed or appreciate the most soon, and being able to lock the place where you sleep at night is one of them.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Thank You
Thank you to all the people who helped make my trip a reality. I wouldn't have been able to do it without you. I unfortunately lost the book I had been writing everyone's name, etc. in, so please forgive me if I forgot to put you on here. And I'll probably sporadically add names onto here, so if you're not here at first you might be later. So these are in a completely random order:
First my mom, who has always given me the most support and mailed several boxes to me, among countless other versions of assistance.
Jack "Appalashireman" and Natalie "Moosemulch" for Dinner at Pinkham Notch, snakebite treatment, and good company.
The Waynesboro Viriginia YMCA, for a free shower and for being so hiker-friendly.
Mary "Valverie" and her son for some rope, a terrible but engrossing book, and good company.
Sam & Adam, for keeping me young, getting songs stuck in my head, and keeping in touch throughout the trip, despite not seeing each other after New Hampshire (they were always ahead of me).
(this is me singing something Sam & Adam were humming earlier).
Sally "Ruby Slippers" in Norwich VT for letting me stay with her. She even called to check up on me months later. If you're reading this, thanks. I was in the Shenadoahs in Virginia when you called, and I only got a voicemail and no missed-call number, since my phone was off, so I was unable to call you back since I don't know your number.
My Dad, who shipped boxes and his self a few times, visiting me and finishing the last day with me. And thanks to Carol and Miranda as well, for helping him help me, not to mention things like buying me an iPod.
Chris "No Budget" & his dog Mofo, who made me miss my own dog more than anyone else.
Bobby Leonard, Noog, Wade, & Jeff. Four fun kids I camped with in Vermont and who were good company.
Megan in Keene, NH, who I mostly sincerely wish to see again and wish I had successfully convinced to come to Delaware Water Gap, PA when she almost did.
Bob, Beth, and Leah Volat, who all welcomed me like a long-lost relative and were my most gracious and hospitable hosts.
Patrick, a LT thru-hiker I camped with on 7/24 who shared his flask of whiskey.
A nice couple I met at Gifford Woods State Park in Vermont, who were very willing to share their food, which was meticulously planned.
A guy named "Stats" I met in New Jersey, who also had meticulously planned meals and a willingness to share them.
Uncle Johnny's in Erwin, TN.
Bolt, GirlPilot, Team Blackcat, various people named Jason, and Sawyer, who helped me remember to stop and enjoy myself. They were all extremely fast hikers, and did the trail in half the time I did. And stopped and smelled zero flowers.
Mr Cheap, who, like the speed demons above, reminded me to make sure I took every step. He skipped ahead ~100 miles to finish on time, and it was eating him up. I'm proud to say I hiked a continuous footpath from Katahdin to Springer, and any steps that were not officially white-blaze were parallel to it in some way, and amounted to less than half of 1% of the 2181 miles.
Connie and Travis at the Greasy Creek Friendly in NC. Very sweet and loving, and I got to put my footprints on her kitchen floor in blue paint, which was a lot of fun.
Bacon Jam and his girlfriend Jungle Fox, who I was glad to meet in Maine, and had fun with in Hanover NH.
The Belmont Outing Club, which was my favorite of the Outing Clubs I met, if only because I got to give a girl a hug.
The Haverford Outing Club, whose students seem very intelligent regarding philosophy and biology, but could work on their mathematical and navigation skills. But I loved the lot of them as we camped together in the Mt Rodgers, VA area.
The Relax Inn in Atkins, VA, which, despite just being a truckstop, was indeed relaxing.
Lumbermack, Dwayne and Wayne, who gave me a ride and some trailmagic (sodas and crackers) by Ceres, VA.
The "Party Train" with varying members including Chief, Tomatio, Vlad, Sk8, Shirtless, Redbeard, Foot Z, Pilot, Dozer, Bucko, Unc, Vesuvio, and whoever else. Because people need to relax and talk about something other than hiking with other hikers, and the party train was always a welcoming place to unwind. I had some good chess matches with Vlad, and the ongoing risk games were as epic as any mountain climb. I wish you all the best.
Short Fuse, who I had a wonderful day picking blueberries with, and who was always close, and I lament not catching her at the end.
The Town of Glasgow, VA. for it's hospitality, hiker-friendliness and in-town shelter, and most of all its giant dinosaur.
My favorite Nicole, my other favorite Nicole, Chris, Jess, and even Drew in Winston-Salem, NC, for putting up with me and my smelly and bug-filled bag, as well as taking me to a downtown "Rock the Block" event, which is almost the exact opposite of hiking. And Nicole for several other reasons.
Jason the flipflopper, who shared with me and even attempted to get my guidebook back to me. But he was, alas, unsuccessful, which is why I'm just doing this thank-you list off the top of my head.
Ed, Travis, Teresa, and Labelle who let me sleep on an air mattress and gave me so much food in the Shenadoahs. You are all very beautiful people.
The Allenberry in Boiling Springs, although your price increases are like Netflix's.
Peter "Leaf", who gave me my full trail name.
Rebekah at the Lake Shore House in Monson, ME. My first real AT Hostel on the trip, it was quite possibly my favorite. And to the guy who gave me a ride and played guitar at the bar: Good set and thanks again.
To Sundowner, who I really liked but who I was not meant to hike with, as we got lost for hours. HOURS!
Jim Murray, who is so generous to hikers and has a beautiful property.
Amp"Lexus" who happily took the role of ladies' man so I didn't have to.
My friends who gave me various versions of encouragement, including Jake Lacey, Mike Murry, Hunter Mulhal, Dianne Ford, Chris & Melissa Dominguez, Amanda Seelman, Jessica Lomelin, and others.
The town of Linden, VA, where I was given an apple by one nice man and then minutes later was given a beer by another as I just passed thru.
Blah Blah, a Nobo with a chip on his shoulder, who I was able to find common ground with in music, among other things.
Shaw's in Monson, ME for THE best breakfast deal on the entire trail.
The ATC in Harper's Ferry for the big map and organizing and all the necessary evils that you do.
The Safety Tribe, who make all other hikers feel less lazy by comparison.
Native Landscapes and Garden Center in NY, and "Dust" who was working there. Although there were some bad things going on (the place had just been robbed) they were very kind to me and let me stay the night there.
Evan Chadwick, for countless things, especially his beat boxing ability.
Vesuvio, who was probably my favorite fellow hiker, and I'm not even sure why. But just overall "good vibes".
Curtis and Hawk at Standing Bear, just North of the Smokies. It was a cool place and was the first time I'd ever used an old-fashioned washboard and wringer to do laundry.
The Montebello General Store, where the people were very nice as I moved before & after seeing Nicole.
Upper Goose Pond in Massachusetts, one of only 3 on-trail zeroes I took. Free Pancakes? Yeah that's worth staying a whole other day.
Another hiker just outside of Dalton, MA, who also shared my love of rhyming: Nutter Butter Peanut Butter Cookie Bite Sandwich.
Tom Levardi, the legend of the AT, who is even more humbly good since the arrival of the Birdcage.
The Methodist Church in Damascus, VA and "The Place" behind it. Despite what rumors floated around, we treated the place with care and I am very thankful they keep it open to hikers.
The wonderful woman I met at the grocery store in Daleville, VA, who gave me a giftcard after we talked awhile and I said I was a thru hiker.
Julia Tyler, who inspired my thru-hike and has given me wonderful encouragement along the way.
The Afton Mountain visitor's center and the folks who gave me a free ride in/out of Waynesboro, VA.
Harrison's Pierce Pond Camps, for the 12-pancake breakfast, and the ability to play with Sam & Adam and hear an interesting political debate about windmills.
My sister Brenna and her husband Grant, who sent me some fun stuff and lots of love. And thanks to the Patti clan for the socks, Jerkey, Jacket, Reading Material, and all the love.
The Stratton Motel and Pine Ellis Lodge in Maine
The Lewis and Mark Experience, who were good company.
Mike Kelly for selflessly giving me his OtterBox Defender for my phone, which suffered a lot of abuse, but thanks to his case it survived the whole trip.
Jeri & ....AH I can't remember his name! But the family-operated White Mountains Lodge and Hostel. One of only 3 on-trail zeroes, and strait-up my favorite place I stayed on the trail.
Brad "Woody", who I saw in ME, VT, PA, MD, WV, VA, TN, & NC, making him the hiker I was in the most states with. I never saw Nate "continuing getting bent" Jochen in Maine, and really my extensive interactions with Woody in Maine might have been slightly exaggerated. But thanks to them both, the fellow hikers I spent the most time with.
Jenn Bower for some good cookies and drunk dials.
The Port Clinton, PA pavilion and The Church of the Mountain in Delaware Water Gap, PA, Cumberland Farms in Wallingford, VT, and all of the Huts in the White Mountains of NH.
Jeremy and Pasquiano, my first trail angels who gave me sooo much food and played football with me and really helped a complete stranger out. A lot of people on this trip were strangers who helped me for no reason other than altruism, and I can't thank you all enough.
Erin "Fern Toe" who has no idea who I am, but we actually met on day 1, and then I followed her in the logs as she was always good about writing. And always ahead of me.
Heather Mooney for throwing me the first surprise party of my entire life and giving me some good trinkets before I set out on this wonderful adventure.
The Doyle in Duncannon, every hiker's favorite place to stay.
Basically every person and establishment in Hanover, NH.
And thank you, for sitting there and reading this.
First my mom, who has always given me the most support and mailed several boxes to me, among countless other versions of assistance.
Jack "Appalashireman" and Natalie "Moosemulch" for Dinner at Pinkham Notch, snakebite treatment, and good company.
The Waynesboro Viriginia YMCA, for a free shower and for being so hiker-friendly.
Mary "Valverie" and her son for some rope, a terrible but engrossing book, and good company.
Sam & Adam, for keeping me young, getting songs stuck in my head, and keeping in touch throughout the trip, despite not seeing each other after New Hampshire (they were always ahead of me).
(this is me singing something Sam & Adam were humming earlier).
Sally "Ruby Slippers" in Norwich VT for letting me stay with her. She even called to check up on me months later. If you're reading this, thanks. I was in the Shenadoahs in Virginia when you called, and I only got a voicemail and no missed-call number, since my phone was off, so I was unable to call you back since I don't know your number.
My Dad, who shipped boxes and his self a few times, visiting me and finishing the last day with me. And thanks to Carol and Miranda as well, for helping him help me, not to mention things like buying me an iPod.
Chris "No Budget" & his dog Mofo, who made me miss my own dog more than anyone else.
Bobby Leonard, Noog, Wade, & Jeff. Four fun kids I camped with in Vermont and who were good company.
Megan in Keene, NH, who I mostly sincerely wish to see again and wish I had successfully convinced to come to Delaware Water Gap, PA when she almost did.
Bob, Beth, and Leah Volat, who all welcomed me like a long-lost relative and were my most gracious and hospitable hosts.
Patrick, a LT thru-hiker I camped with on 7/24 who shared his flask of whiskey.
A nice couple I met at Gifford Woods State Park in Vermont, who were very willing to share their food, which was meticulously planned.
A guy named "Stats" I met in New Jersey, who also had meticulously planned meals and a willingness to share them.
Uncle Johnny's in Erwin, TN.
Bolt, GirlPilot, Team Blackcat, various people named Jason, and Sawyer, who helped me remember to stop and enjoy myself. They were all extremely fast hikers, and did the trail in half the time I did. And stopped and smelled zero flowers.
Mr Cheap, who, like the speed demons above, reminded me to make sure I took every step. He skipped ahead ~100 miles to finish on time, and it was eating him up. I'm proud to say I hiked a continuous footpath from Katahdin to Springer, and any steps that were not officially white-blaze were parallel to it in some way, and amounted to less than half of 1% of the 2181 miles.
Connie and Travis at the Greasy Creek Friendly in NC. Very sweet and loving, and I got to put my footprints on her kitchen floor in blue paint, which was a lot of fun.
Bacon Jam and his girlfriend Jungle Fox, who I was glad to meet in Maine, and had fun with in Hanover NH.
The Belmont Outing Club, which was my favorite of the Outing Clubs I met, if only because I got to give a girl a hug.
The Haverford Outing Club, whose students seem very intelligent regarding philosophy and biology, but could work on their mathematical and navigation skills. But I loved the lot of them as we camped together in the Mt Rodgers, VA area.
The Relax Inn in Atkins, VA, which, despite just being a truckstop, was indeed relaxing.
Lumbermack, Dwayne and Wayne, who gave me a ride and some trailmagic (sodas and crackers) by Ceres, VA.
The "Party Train" with varying members including Chief, Tomatio, Vlad, Sk8, Shirtless, Redbeard, Foot Z, Pilot, Dozer, Bucko, Unc, Vesuvio, and whoever else. Because people need to relax and talk about something other than hiking with other hikers, and the party train was always a welcoming place to unwind. I had some good chess matches with Vlad, and the ongoing risk games were as epic as any mountain climb. I wish you all the best.
Short Fuse, who I had a wonderful day picking blueberries with, and who was always close, and I lament not catching her at the end.
The Town of Glasgow, VA. for it's hospitality, hiker-friendliness and in-town shelter, and most of all its giant dinosaur.
My favorite Nicole, my other favorite Nicole, Chris, Jess, and even Drew in Winston-Salem, NC, for putting up with me and my smelly and bug-filled bag, as well as taking me to a downtown "Rock the Block" event, which is almost the exact opposite of hiking. And Nicole for several other reasons.
Jason the flipflopper, who shared with me and even attempted to get my guidebook back to me. But he was, alas, unsuccessful, which is why I'm just doing this thank-you list off the top of my head.
Ed, Travis, Teresa, and Labelle who let me sleep on an air mattress and gave me so much food in the Shenadoahs. You are all very beautiful people.
The Allenberry in Boiling Springs, although your price increases are like Netflix's.
Peter "Leaf", who gave me my full trail name.
Rebekah at the Lake Shore House in Monson, ME. My first real AT Hostel on the trip, it was quite possibly my favorite. And to the guy who gave me a ride and played guitar at the bar: Good set and thanks again.
To Sundowner, who I really liked but who I was not meant to hike with, as we got lost for hours. HOURS!
Jim Murray, who is so generous to hikers and has a beautiful property.
Amp"Lexus" who happily took the role of ladies' man so I didn't have to.
My friends who gave me various versions of encouragement, including Jake Lacey, Mike Murry, Hunter Mulhal, Dianne Ford, Chris & Melissa Dominguez, Amanda Seelman, Jessica Lomelin, and others.
The town of Linden, VA, where I was given an apple by one nice man and then minutes later was given a beer by another as I just passed thru.
Blah Blah, a Nobo with a chip on his shoulder, who I was able to find common ground with in music, among other things.
Shaw's in Monson, ME for THE best breakfast deal on the entire trail.
The ATC in Harper's Ferry for the big map and organizing and all the necessary evils that you do.
The Safety Tribe, who make all other hikers feel less lazy by comparison.
Native Landscapes and Garden Center in NY, and "Dust" who was working there. Although there were some bad things going on (the place had just been robbed) they were very kind to me and let me stay the night there.
Evan Chadwick, for countless things, especially his beat boxing ability.
Vesuvio, who was probably my favorite fellow hiker, and I'm not even sure why. But just overall "good vibes".
Curtis and Hawk at Standing Bear, just North of the Smokies. It was a cool place and was the first time I'd ever used an old-fashioned washboard and wringer to do laundry.
The Montebello General Store, where the people were very nice as I moved before & after seeing Nicole.
Upper Goose Pond in Massachusetts, one of only 3 on-trail zeroes I took. Free Pancakes? Yeah that's worth staying a whole other day.
Another hiker just outside of Dalton, MA, who also shared my love of rhyming: Nutter Butter Peanut Butter Cookie Bite Sandwich.
Tom Levardi, the legend of the AT, who is even more humbly good since the arrival of the Birdcage.
The Methodist Church in Damascus, VA and "The Place" behind it. Despite what rumors floated around, we treated the place with care and I am very thankful they keep it open to hikers.
The wonderful woman I met at the grocery store in Daleville, VA, who gave me a giftcard after we talked awhile and I said I was a thru hiker.
Julia Tyler, who inspired my thru-hike and has given me wonderful encouragement along the way.
The Afton Mountain visitor's center and the folks who gave me a free ride in/out of Waynesboro, VA.
Harrison's Pierce Pond Camps, for the 12-pancake breakfast, and the ability to play with Sam & Adam and hear an interesting political debate about windmills.
My sister Brenna and her husband Grant, who sent me some fun stuff and lots of love. And thanks to the Patti clan for the socks, Jerkey, Jacket, Reading Material, and all the love.
The Stratton Motel and Pine Ellis Lodge in Maine
The Lewis and Mark Experience, who were good company.
Mike Kelly for selflessly giving me his OtterBox Defender for my phone, which suffered a lot of abuse, but thanks to his case it survived the whole trip.
Jeri & ....AH I can't remember his name! But the family-operated White Mountains Lodge and Hostel. One of only 3 on-trail zeroes, and strait-up my favorite place I stayed on the trail.
Brad "Woody", who I saw in ME, VT, PA, MD, WV, VA, TN, & NC, making him the hiker I was in the most states with. I never saw Nate "continuing getting bent" Jochen in Maine, and really my extensive interactions with Woody in Maine might have been slightly exaggerated. But thanks to them both, the fellow hikers I spent the most time with.
Jenn Bower for some good cookies and drunk dials.
The Port Clinton, PA pavilion and The Church of the Mountain in Delaware Water Gap, PA, Cumberland Farms in Wallingford, VT, and all of the Huts in the White Mountains of NH.
Jeremy and Pasquiano, my first trail angels who gave me sooo much food and played football with me and really helped a complete stranger out. A lot of people on this trip were strangers who helped me for no reason other than altruism, and I can't thank you all enough.
Erin "Fern Toe" who has no idea who I am, but we actually met on day 1, and then I followed her in the logs as she was always good about writing. And always ahead of me.
Heather Mooney for throwing me the first surprise party of my entire life and giving me some good trinkets before I set out on this wonderful adventure.
The Doyle in Duncannon, every hiker's favorite place to stay.
Basically every person and establishment in Hanover, NH.
And thank you, for sitting there and reading this.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Retro-fitting
Hi all,
I've been adding photos and more info and insights to older posts, and have removed things like old "next mail drop" posts. I'll add a few more (like a big thank you list and a "what I've learned" kind of list) in due time. And I think I'm going to pull the trigger and put photos on facebook, so those who can can see more photos there.
I've been adding photos and more info and insights to older posts, and have removed things like old "next mail drop" posts. I'll add a few more (like a big thank you list and a "what I've learned" kind of list) in due time. And I think I'm going to pull the trigger and put photos on facebook, so those who can can see more photos there.
Monday, November 14, 2011
YAY Done!
All done. 11/14/11: Summited Springer Mtn, Georgia, the Southern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail, 167 days after Mt. Katahdin, Maine. I'll blog more soon, and finally upload some pictures on here, after I get a good meal in me and sleep for 20 hours strait.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
So Close
About 50 miles left. I remember when I, say, crossed from 1000 to 999 miles left. Having only a few miles left is bittersweet, and it's still going to take a few more days. But so far so good.
11/11 5:00pm: 30.6 miles left, 2150.4 done. But I'm done for the day.
11/12 2:00pm: 22.3 miles left, 2158.7 done. Still have 30+ lbs on my back.
11/12 4:30pm: 16.5 miles left, 2164.5 done. I was going to camp here but there are 27 boy scouts.
11/12 5:00pm: 16.2 miles left, 2164.8 done. Last time setting up the tent.
11/13 8:00am: 15.1 miles left, 2165.9 done. Going to have breakfast here, but more Scouts.
11/13 9:00am: 14.3 miles left, 2166.7 done. Breakfast.
11/13 1:00pm: 7.8 miles left, 2173.2 done. Lunch.
11/13 3:00pm: 5.1 miles left, 2175.9 done. Took a sidetrail to a beautiful waterfall.
11/13 4:30pm: 2.8 miles left, 2178.2 done. Done for the night.
11/14 5:00am: 2.8 miles left, 2178.2 done. Met up with my dad.
11/14 9:00am: 0.0 miles left, 2181.0 done. Summited in the rain and snow.
11/14 10:00am-11:30am ran the 9 miles from Springer Mountain shelter to the end of the Amicalola Falls with no bag (or even a shirt) on my back. It felt awesome. And my dad was kind enough to take my bag the mile back to his car on a nearby USFS road. I went from Katahdin to Springer with at least, say, 25 lbs on my back (and upwards of 60 at some points). So it was great to do the optional side trail most Southbounders skip with literally nothing on my back.
11/11 5:00pm: 30.6 miles left, 2150.4 done. But I'm done for the day.
11/12 2:00pm: 22.3 miles left, 2158.7 done. Still have 30+ lbs on my back.
11/12 4:30pm: 16.5 miles left, 2164.5 done. I was going to camp here but there are 27 boy scouts.
11/12 5:00pm: 16.2 miles left, 2164.8 done. Last time setting up the tent.
11/13 8:00am: 15.1 miles left, 2165.9 done. Going to have breakfast here, but more Scouts.
11/13 9:00am: 14.3 miles left, 2166.7 done. Breakfast.
11/13 1:00pm: 7.8 miles left, 2173.2 done. Lunch.
11/13 3:00pm: 5.1 miles left, 2175.9 done. Took a sidetrail to a beautiful waterfall.
11/13 4:30pm: 2.8 miles left, 2178.2 done. Done for the night.
11/14 5:00am: 2.8 miles left, 2178.2 done. Met up with my dad.
11/14 9:00am: 0.0 miles left, 2181.0 done. Summited in the rain and snow.
11/14 10:00am-11:30am ran the 9 miles from Springer Mountain shelter to the end of the Amicalola Falls with no bag (or even a shirt) on my back. It felt awesome. And my dad was kind enough to take my bag the mile back to his car on a nearby USFS road. I went from Katahdin to Springer with at least, say, 25 lbs on my back (and upwards of 60 at some points). So it was great to do the optional side trail most Southbounders skip with literally nothing on my back.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
End the Day
So as I get closer and closer to the end of the trail, it becomes harder and harder to relax at the end of the day. Hiking the miles is "easy" (or at least consistent, almost mundane) but it's telling yourself to stop for the day that's hard. As I've said, some people make the bad decision of turning to tobacco. Others build a fire or listen to an FM radio. Mom would be prouder still to know I've turned to reading lately, and have gone through a dozen books lately. They range from rereading 1984 to the terrible (but guilty sinfully awesome) novelization of "Cowboys & Aliens". I just finished (re)reading "the Alchemist" (thank you sister Brenna), where "The King" asks the protagonist to carry a spoonful of oil while he tours the King's house, and tells him the meaning of life is to enjoy the scenery without losing the oil. A conqueror would tell you that, regardless of the sights you saw or didn't see, losing the spoon's oil is a loss or you somehow failed the game of life by losing the spoon's contents. And a wanderer would tell you, like the little bald monk boy in "The Matrix": There is no Spoon. As usual I attempt to be neither but am occasionally either as I move closer and closer to the end.
This seems like a good spot to tack on my all time favorite "tags", another way to pass the time at the end of the day.
1. "Cash Rules Everything Around Me C.R.E.A.M. Dollar Dollar Bill Ya'll"
(A Reference to the Wu Tang Clan). I actually have a video of it, but the file is apparently too large to upload on here. But I have photos of all the others.
2. "The Cake is a Lie"
(A Reference to the videogame Portal)
3. "Tom Marvolo Riddle" (+Deathly Hallows Symbol)
(A Reference to Harry Potter)
4. "Infinity Times Marijuana Plus Pi Equals Jesus Upsidedown Question Mark"
Self-explanatory.
5. A sign that says "No Sign".
This seems like a good spot to tack on my all time favorite "tags", another way to pass the time at the end of the day.
1. "Cash Rules Everything Around Me C.R.E.A.M. Dollar Dollar Bill Ya'll"
(A Reference to the Wu Tang Clan). I actually have a video of it, but the file is apparently too large to upload on here. But I have photos of all the others.
2. "The Cake is a Lie"
(A Reference to the videogame Portal)
3. "Tom Marvolo Riddle" (+Deathly Hallows Symbol)
(A Reference to Harry Potter)
4. "Infinity Times Marijuana Plus Pi Equals Jesus Upsidedown Question Mark"
Self-explanatory.
5. A sign that says "No Sign".
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