Date: 2016-05-08
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Unnamed Campsite
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

So, I started my great adventure three weeks ago today. Here is a rundown as I look back:I have seen mostly good weather. Although there has been some rain and the snow and slush in the Smokies was most unexpected and difficult. My food situation has been good. I have always carried too much out of fear of running out. Sometimes an extra 5 or 6 pounds. I will work on doing better with that. My base weight is excellent and will get better still when I switch to my summer jackets shortly.Mentally I am strong! That is definitely a positive as I now know I have what it takes to finish. It is entirely whether or not I want to be on the trail. Physically I am strong, but a little tired after putting in a lot of big days in tough weather. My ankle is much, much better. It may never be 100% on the trail. My IT Band is a little tender, but doing better. I am really working on my stretching to strengthen it up. The IT Band and unexpected injury are my main real worries going forward. Just to be clear, at this point everyone is fighting a little niggle here or there. It may be a blister, sore foot, knee, ankle, etc. Backpacking is physically demanding work. So today is Mother's Day. I got reception for just a moment and tried to call Mom, but the call dropped. So I was able to get a text out. I hiked with the Five Alive group and we got about a mile up the trail when a guy coming down said people were up ahead with ice cream. We were all a bit skeptical, but sure enough, on Snowbird Mountain a group of folks set up homemade ice cream, PB and J, cookies, banana nut bread and drinks. One of the gentlemen brought out some moonshine. It was blueberry-blackberry flavored and strong! I had just a little cup and had to sit down for a few minutes! It was the most amazing and unexpected Trail Magic! My friend Kelsi also caught up to us there and hiked with us the rest of the day. It was nice.We hiked on for quite a while. To pass some time, I have instituted trivia. We try to stump each other for three straight questions. It is interesting the diverse interests of the group. So I will talk about 5 Alive.David, Peace Foot, has hiked the AT and the PCT before. He hikes in sandals. Amazing. He is in his early to mid 50's. He used to be a graphic designer and decided he had had enough. Now he hikes and bikes. He bikes with Chuck Hand, who I have flown with at SWA. Small world! Philip, Go Go Gadget, is a strong hiker and a ready guy. He has all kinds of magic apps for his phone and helps us plan our day and locate us exactly. He is from Pittsburgh, but has lived in Scottsdale and California as well. He is a few years younger than I, and is a strong hiker. He is a logistics contractor. He has wanted to do this for some time.Sam, Sailor, graduated from Providence college a few years ago and has wanted to hike the AT for some time. She grew up in Colorado, Maine, and Connecticut. She loves outdoor activities including sailing and skiing. Her Dad's family owns the longest continuously operating camp in the US and she instructs there. Helen, Uphill, is from California and graduated from Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. She studied wildlife management and instructed at Sam's family's camp. Her boyfriend is a US expat who is in the French Foreign Legion. She has traveled a lot of the world at a tender young age.One thing about the entire group. They are all really good, really fast, and really tough hikers. Everyone is very positive and Peace Foot really sets a great tone. I am not sure how long Philip or I will hike with the group, but we all have a lot of knowledge and work together well. About 4:30, we arrived at Max Patch Bald. It was amazing! A huge grassy field with amazing views. We lounges in the sun for 45 minutes before I recommended we move on. I personally plan to return with a picnic someday. It was wonderful.We hiked for a few more hours and eventually found Kelsi at a small, suitable, area for camping near water and joined her. In order to get to Hot Springs early, we all agreed to go to bed early and wake up early. I had my usual mashed potatoes and tuna. I was put in charge of getting everyone up in the morning. I was a little nervous as this crew likes to sleep! With the trail magic and Max Patch, it was an unexpectedly nice day.