Date: 2010-10-03
To: Pay it Forward
Miles today: 0.0

So here I sit, on my parents couch with my laptop in my lap, exactly one week ago I became an official thru hiker. Lots has happened in the last week since my dad picked me up in Millinocket, ME. Lets see, I've taken two showers, I've watched about 5 football games at once (channel surfing is not popular when you don't have the remote according to my dad), I've walked my parents' dog a few times, and I've eaten more cookies then the entire rest of 2010 put together. So yeah, basically, I've just sat here and recovered.I have lined some stuff up like I said in the last blog. I've lined myself up with a job, a place to stay, and a football team to play for. Speaking of football, I talked to the coach yesterday as they are already starting mini camps to tell him I won't be around for a few more weeks. I didn't have the nerve to tell him that I've lost 50 lbs and haven't thrown a pass in about a year but he'll figure that out I'm sure after the first practice. Oh well, right? That leads me to what I want to do tomorrow....and this is something I think all thru hikers need to do. What is it? Pay it Forward. Yup, I want to drive out to trail and pass out sodas. TRAIL MAGIC!!! Yeah, I'm going to the South Mountain/Gathland State Park region with a cooler of sodas to hand out. Why? Because I know how it feels to get some magic from a stranger when you least expect it. Plus, I have always felt bad for the Southbounders because they probably won't get half of the trail magic I got. Yes, I know it was their choice to start late and head the wrong way (kidding, there is no wrong way on the AT). But still, we are all a family and they need a Coke too. Hopefully, there will be some hikers that cross by. If not, well, I guess I'll have some extra soda lying around the fridge.Beard Update: Not shaving it. I have at least two more glorious weeks with it on. I think that has become my mom's number once concern...when am I shaving it. I'm not but its getting really annoying because I can't eat anything without it ending up on my face. Imagine getting a handful of hair in every bite you take. Next thing you know you're chomping on your beard/mustache like a horse eating hay. Oh man, for those beard rookies, let me tell....DO NOT get syrup in your beard and then try to comb it. OUCH City!!!! I have no pain tolerance in my face when it comes to combing it. It hurts! So, to the 2011 class of thru hiking men (and some women), DO NOT get syrup in your facial hair. One last thing, I have had a lot of people ask me about my equipment; what worked, what didn't work, what I think they should go with for their hike. Since this is a popular question I am going to update my gear list with my opinions on each of the equipment I used so that prospective thru hikers can read about it. I'm going to tell you now, its solely my opinion. What worked for me might not have worked for the next person. I consider myself as the average Joe hiker, not the advanced super ultra light hiker guru that carries a 12 lbs pack because he doesn't carry anything other than a sleeping bag and walnuts. Anyways, look for that if you're interested.Always relying on Him.