Date: 2010-11-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 120.0

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, When the road you're trudging seems all uphill, When the funds are low and the debts are high, And you want to smile, but you have to sigh, When care is pressing you down a bit, Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.Life is queer with its twists and turns, As every one of us sometimes learns, And many a failure turns about, When he might have won had he stuck it out; Don't give up though the pace seems slow-- You may succeed with another blow.Often the goal is nearer than, It seems to a faint and faltering man, Often the struggler has given up, When he might have captured the victor's cup, And he learned too late when the night slipped down, How close he was to the golden crown.Success is failure turned inside out-- The silver tint of the clouds of doubt, And you never can tell how close you are, It may be near when it seems so far, So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit-- It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.- Author unknownI carry that poem with me, I thought it would be nice to share. I find myself reading it more than ever now.I carry a small pocket notebook where I record one word references about things i would like to write about. There are two words I found in that notebook that I have yet to write about. Well, more than two, but two that are overdue. Cookie and George.Cookies. Thank-you Luna and Cliff Bar! Luna is a section hiker I met in Massachussetes who has been following my journal. Her daughter is a Thru-Hiker, and she and her husband "cliff bar" are section hikers. Luna, those cookies were still chewy and delicious when I got them in Daleville. Our eyes rolled into the back of our heads as only hikers' do when something extraordinarily delicious hits their palate. And don't think I didn't notice what it took to ensure it got there in time. Thank You!!George was our dog. Well, he was for a night. George followed a couple of the guys from a road in Virginia to the shelter which was about 2 miles in. At first we assumed he probably lived at one of the houses on that road, and must commonly make friends with hikers in hopes of food scraps. Some of the boys were trying to domesticate George and teach him manners like not putting his paws on the table. My contention was that since we were so sure he always does this, that makes that table and shelter more his than ours. He started playing with Reset in a cunning intelligent way. As Reset pushed one paw off, George put the other up. Than George began withdrawing a paw and putting up the opposite before you could remove the paw. We named him "george", which is short for Georgia, the place we are heading. That night one of the guys "roots rocks" was going to do some moonlight hiking about 2AM. George wanted to go to, and was beside himself when we tried to hold him back. It was a futile effort, and George and roots rock hiked together until morning when roots rock called the number on Georges collar and the owner came to get him. Roots Rock said the owner wasnt all that friendly, and we wondered if we should have kept George.The hike from Demascus took place in the dark rain. We didnt get out until a bit later, and debated leaving at all because of the weather moving in. We opted for a push to the first shelter which was nine miles away. We did a three day run to the "Kincora" hostel which is run by a trail angel named Bob Peoples. Bob is a retired Air Force Major who became interested in hiking before retiring from the Air Force. He was a trail maintainer on the Long Trail in Vermont before retiring to Tennessee. Bob bought his house without ever having seen it. His criteria was that it was within a half mile of the trail, and that it could be used as a Hostel. Bob lost his wife Pat three years ago, and the trail community really is his family. His hostel does not turn a profit, and accepts a 4$ donation. Bob has laundry, showers, comfy beds, a kitchen and living area available. In addition he shuttles you to town to resupply for free. This is at least a 20 minute drive. Bob is from Boston, and has a very distinct 'Elmer Fudd" type accent. He doesn't pronounce "R's". He is soft spoken, and considered the nicest man on the trail by many. With the end of the season looming, it was obvious that he was happy to have some company of Southbounders. The woods are in that "death" part that is the circle of life. The leaves are nearly all gone, now a crunchy wonderland under our feet offering camouflage to the rocks in our path. The wildlife is much less abundant, although I see a white tail deer every couple days at least. Haven't seen any bear in a while, and I imagine they are hibernating. I don't blame them, I wish I were hibernating. The squirells and chipmunks are far less abundant, and the snakes are still way too afraid of me to show their ugly faces.The woods are never quiet. Not for long anyhow. There is always the sound of something falling, an animal scrounging, or a tree swaying. These sounds are the most intense at night when your hearing is most intense. There is however a quiet solitude in these mountains in the late fall. I'm certain even the Angels in Heaven find peace within these mountains and trees. In fact, I know they do.The hiking is getting harder. Virginia progressively got harder, and that has continued into Tennessee. The mountains are getting bigger, while our miles are not getting shorter. We are planning on finishing on Springer Mountain on December 12th, so must push to make this goal. We have been blessed with generally nice weather, but when it goes bad....boy does it go bad. You have got to be prepare and you have got to know your limits. In Erwin Tennessee, we met Miss Janet. Miss Janet is infamous on the trail just like Bob Peoples. She used to run a hostel before falling on some hard times, but still goes out of her way to help hikers any chance she gets. She picked us up and brought us into town for resupply. She than offered to slack pack us all the way to Hot Springs! Sweet! So she ended up slack packing us for two days before Mikes parents came out to pick us up.We are in Asheville NC with Mikeys family. Not just his immediate family, but all his family. This was a planned family holiday in a rented house. Mikes mom refused to let any of his friends spend the holiday alone. So here were are!! We are very well fed, warm, showered, and since Uncle Jim is here....buzzed. When we leave her we will have spent four nights, with two slack pack days mixed in with two days off. It was a long needed break, and we all feel like family here. We are heading into the Smokies soon. My friend Gangsta warned me I was getting into the roughest part of the hike mentally. She was right. So close but so far.....why does it seem like your goals are so seemingly unattainable when they are almost within reach? We are tired, fatigued and our gas tanks have enlarging holes in them. But we have faith, we have each other, and we have 250 miles of trail to hike. Its starting to sink in....this is almost over. Than what? This is all we've known for so long. What exactly do you do when you wake up not in a shelter, and there is no trail in front of you. When you poop on a nice toilet instead of a privy, and when there is not need to chemically treat the water coming from your tap (although questionable in Jersey). i don't know, but I do know there is still 250 miles to hike, and it wont be easy.