Date: 2007-05-25
To: Feelings and such
Miles today: 0.0

As I write these first few ¢preparation¢ journal entries, I cannot help but uncover some feelings about this excursion that will begin in less than one month. I am not sure why I am preoccupied with the various feelings that occur to me every so often. I guess there are a few unknowns and some anticipation about undertaking such a long hiking trip since I will be away from home for a few months, and I am wondering what to expect this time around on the Trail. Am I uncertain about what I might face this year? Will I have any physical/medical concerns? What will the trail conditions look like? Will this be a dry year or a rainy year? Will I be successful in finishing this hike or at least making significant progress towards Mt. Katahdin? What will this year¢s group of hikers be like? I always hear that each year brings a ¢different crowd¢ out on the Trail. Will the ¢trail experience¢ be different for me this time compared to 2004? I imagine it will. Even so, I am excited to begin and I am also somewhat anxious, but not exactly worried.There are, however, three things that I have read and heard about regarding the upcoming trail segments that I¢m not really looking forward to, but I¢ll get through them. First, I know that the notoriously frustrating ¢Pennsylvania rocks¢ are going to begin shortly after I leave Duncannon.   The Pennsylvania rocks are a long stretch of trail where the trail is actually on top of piles of rocks and boulders, so I hear. A few years ago, during a discussion about the Trail, I spoke with a former thru-hiker who said that the first time he asked himself, ¢What am I doing out here?¢ was when he encountered the Pennsylvania rocks. Second, I understand that I am most likely to see rattlesnakes in Pennsylvania more than any other section of the Trail. I know that I almost stepped on the first rattlesnake that I saw on the Trail and, you guessed it, it was in Pennsylvania. Third, I realize that I am very likely to see a bear in the upcoming states of New York and New Jersey. For some, that would be a thrilling sight, but I would prefer to see bears at the zoo.   Maybe I perceive these matters to be greater hazards than they actually are. Who knows? I¢ll find out soon.Fortunately, I am looking forward to traveling through the New England states and watching the scenery and geography change throughout the coming weeks and months. I¢m looking forward to the awesome and breathtaking overlooks of the Presidential Mountain Range and Franconia Ridge in New Hampshire, but I wonder about finding myself open to the elements, above the tree line, with threatening weather approaching. I hear that traveling through the Mahoosuc Notch is very complicated and confusing, or an enjoyable challenge, depending on who you ask, nevertheless, it should an interesting landmark. I am not sure what to think at this point until I arrive there. I just hope I don¢t experience it in the pouring rain.In the meantime, I am finalizing my plans, working out the logistical elements, and preparing to get out there. I have an extensive checklist that is thankfully getting smaller every day. In between work, the gym, and marking things off my to-do list, I manage to spend some time writing down my thoughts, revising them, and turning them into journal entries.