Date: 2003-03-10
To: Update
Miles today: 0.0

March 10, 2003 - Spring Lake, Michigan   It's been a very productive weekend. On Friday, I rushed home from work, scarfed down some dinner, and hit the trail for about 3 hours. My pack felt pretty good, all 57 lbs. I walked the shoreline after the sun set and admired the lights of the Grand Haven pier as darkness set in. It was wonderfully calm and the small slice of moon that peeked out was absolutely beautiful. I enjoyed the "quiet" feeling of nighttime hiking. Granted, there are no bears to worry about around here. I did see 3 deer and waited out a 5 minute staredown with them before moving on.   On Saturday, I got up and intentionally did not shower. I grabbed some breakfast and repacked my pack. I left the house at 9am and walked the road that parallels Lake Michigan toward the pier. There are certainly some beautiful houses on the shoreline. I took some photos while at the pier and began my walk northward up the beach. I stopped for some hot chocolate around 11:30am and continued north. At about 1pm, it was time to turn inland and begin the southward journey home. Lunch was roman noodles and some packaged chicken. I continue to be amazed with my cooking burner. I honestly heats 2 cups of water in 90 seconds. That's faster than a microwave.   I chased lunch with a candybar and was off again.       Soon afterward, I came across two elderly men on a day hike. It was really cool to talk with them. One was 81 years old and the other was an amazing 86 years young. They hike the trails during all seasons. I think that's awesome. After talking to them, I began to wonder what I'll be like at age 80, if God grants me that much time. It was good to do some "thinking" about life. I hope to do a lot of it on the AT.      The last 90 minutes of my hike, I bushwhacked (made my own trail) up and down the forested dunes in several inches of snow, knowing that I would eventually join up with a trail that leads back to the house. It was very hard going and I burned some serious calories. Three o'clock brought some light snowfall and by 3:30 the wind and snowfall picked up quite significantly.    Seven hours after leaving, I arrived back home and was darn glad to put down the pack. I remember thinking that there's no way that I want to do another 7 hours of this tomorrow. I felt that I physically would not be able to. My legs, mostly my hips, were completely drained. In fact, I was unable to climb the stairs without using both hand rails. One hour later, I could do the stairs unassisted and I was glad to learn that an hour after that, I could take the steps two at a time. I'm glad to know that when I feel like I can't go on, my body will regenerate and my strength will return.    I was hoping to get in a little walking Sunday too but we once again have single digit temperatures. That doesn't work for me. If I run into weather like that on the trail, I'm shacking up in the closest hotel. Yes, I'll wear the wimp hat proudly. I wonder if "Hilton" would be a good trail name for me?? There's a thought.   I've experienced my first blister after hiking Sat. I'm glad to say that it feels pretty good today. I did buy some special blister Band-Aids to add to my first aid kit.   I'm happy to report that I'm making some progress (sort of) with reducing my pack weight. After studying the trail handbook, I realized that I can restock food at Neels Gap about 30 miles from Springer. So, I removed some food and other things that I may not need. I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that I had 10 candybars packed. I've aparently watched too many shows where people were stranded and needed to survive for several days eating only tree bark and plant roots.   The new pack weight WAS 48lbs. Yes I said WAS. After church yesterday, I went shopping and ended up buying a compressed air horn and a small pepper spray unit. I have been struggling with whether to take these things or not as defense from bears. Other hikers have reported that there's more danger from meeting unfriendly, unleashed pets on the trail than bears. I guess I just decided to err on the side of caution. I am truly not worried, as in losing sleep, about bears. But, I'd like to be prepared if I do happen across a mother bear with cubs. If this were to happen, my plan would be to use these defenses ONLY as a last resort.    And, after adding some Countrytime Lemonade mix, the new pack weight is 51 lbs. I can live with that, for now. I still have time to rethink things and repack to try to get under the 50 lb. mark. It's possible. I may end up sending stuff home but much better for me to be over prepared than the opposite.    This week I'm expecting my new flashlight, watch and pocketmail device. Once those are here, I'm ready to just CHILL and count down the days/hours. I'm feeling great about my preparation and I'm psyched for a great hike.      Peace,         Scot