Date: 2004-08-11
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

This page will be a continuous work in progress that I'll update and edit as I find the time and whenever I can recall my thoughts and feelings about hiking the Appalachian Trail.It's been over one month since I left the trail. After three and one-half months of hiking, covering approximately 1,133 miles, I will forever have fond memories of this great experience. I am still feeling some pain in my feet, but it's slowly going away. My feet did expand a half to one whole shoe size, as all hikers have experienced, and they are just now returning to a size that allows me to wear my old sneakers with comfort again.I was seriously thinking of continuing only one more week to Port Clinton, PA from Duncanon, PA, because of the pain that I was experiencing in my feet. However, the death of my father required me to leave the trail earlier. During the trip I experienced a full range of feelings and emotions from extreme physical exhaustion to boredom, loneliness, fear, but also elation. I think the day that I was the most physically exhausted was on the climb up Roan Mountain, NC. I thought that I was near the shelter for the night, but I wasn't. My supply of Gatorade was running low. I needed the sugar boost. By the time I reached the top of the mountain, I was shaking because I had no more energy. That doesn't make sense, but I had to force myself to go on.I felt bored, especially in Georgia. For weeks, sometimes, the trees and landscape all looked the same. I wondered why I was out here day after day.I had some fear, but not to the extent that I thought I'd have. For a good portion of the time I was uncomfortable with my surroundings. I felt the need to survive and wasn't sure what could happen as the days went by. As I mentioned in my introduction to this journal, I perceived the major risks to be lightening, Lyme disease (from tick bites), and hyper/hypothermia. Wild animals didn't bother me. I only saw one bear and one poisonous snake. I don't know how many saw me, though. Only a couple of times did I have my guard up because of "non-hikers" in the woods.I felt elation on many occasions - especially on top of mountain balds and other scenic areas that an ordinary day-hiker wouldn't see. However, this great feeling was sometimes masked by my perceived need to hurry on to the next shelter or campsite before the weather changed for the worse.The most important aspect of the trip was the people that I met. I want to list their names or trail names on this page so that I can keep in touch with them. First, I will mention the five other hikers that started with me on March 15, 2004. We had a group photo taken under the arch that designates the beginning of the Approach Trail, leading to the start of the Appalachian Trail. These individuals are very special to me since we all took a giant leap together to face a six-month adventure with tremendous uncertainties.Krispy KritterBeatboxPeak A BooBoo BooCuppaJoeListed below, in no particular order, are the names of the other hikers with whom I shared the experience. I am grateful to have met these people. They are significant in my life. I may not remember all their names, but I'll keep this page updated in the hopes that we can reconnect at some time in the future. There are more, but I'm not able to recall all of them right now.SoxBeatboxPegasusBonnie & ClydeLittle BitBluebell (from Texas)MoonstoneBlazeGimpyPilgrim SoulBear BehindEagle EyeBear TracksA.D.Tree FrogSam-I-AmGaiter WomanMousePalm TreePondererStumblebumFull Moon & dog, Jessie. Today, I do miss the trail - a lot, even with all it's hardships. I can understand how former thru-hikers get "Springer Fever." That's when they have fond memories of the excitement that they felt when they started northbound from Springer Mountain, Georgia. I will post more pictures and information in the future.