Date: 2010-12-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

This is from a couple weeks agoInto the glorious smokie mountains we went today.  We spent last night at standing bear hostel, which sits in a holler right before the accent begins.  Curtis and his wife run the place on an honor system.  There is a pantry of food complete with sodas, juice, frozen pizzas and alot more.  They have a hiker kitchen where you prepare and eat.  There was a comfy bunk room with a wood burning stove, so we slept comfortably.While the climb is about 6000 feet of elevation gain, it's spread over 18 miles so much of it was gradual.  Luckily, the rain started right as we hit the trail, and progressively worsened until it was a terrential downpour complimenting the 50mph gusts of wind like stink on shit.  "Yippy". I was just thinking the other day......"boy I hope I get a frigid rainy day on a 6000 foot mountain so I can try out my new rain pants".  Anyway, we had to lay up at 10 miles as opposed to the 18 we were planning on because it was just to wet.  Most of the trail was actually a river.  So if I envisioned the worst way to enter the smokies.....here it is.  Such is life, just praying for better weather.I may have to kill stoker tonight.  Whatever he ate is having a hard time digesting.  I've concluded that his dead decomposing body would smell better than him farting next to me all night.If your ever going to hike the AT, be prepared to think.  Alot.  I've solved just about every world problem in my head.  You think about alot of positive things, and some not.  You'll reevaluate just about every major life decision, every relationship you've ever had, and even potential future crisis in life.  Just as an example, I spent three hours thinking about an e-mail I sent to my boss last year.  It was about these annoying phones we carry in the ICU, and she took the advice I offered. You will think of people you have hurt, words left unspoken and perhaps kindness left unrealized.  You just have nothing to do but think all day long.  One day I was trying to remember how to do thermal equations I learned in Chemistry.  There are a handful of patients I took care of that I think about often.  I can't tell you how many patients deaths are always fresh in my mind, even years later.  I often think about my old Army days, along with my old Army buddies.  Sometimes I forget that I've lived quite a full life thus far.You'll think about the future.  I do at least.  I mostly think about future ambitions, and how to make this journey relevant in my life.  I don't want to let this trail experience to take a place on a shelf labeled "johns past" to collect dust.  This is defining experience in my life.  Much like graduating college, or basic training, it is an accomplishment that can't be taken away.  This journey will be with me on my death bed.  I thank God for this.Speaking of basic training....there are alot of similarities you know.  Much like basic training, the trail has a way of breaking you down both mentally and physically.  It can get inside your head and scramble you brains, or it can leave you in unspeakable pain and agony.  It offers you it's best and worst.  Just when it couldn't get any better it does.  Likewise, just when it couldn't get worse it does.  But that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger.  The trail will, if you let it, build you after it breaks you.  It will piece together a better version of you.  Complete with intestinal fortitude, confidence and the power of will.  And than it will repeat the process over and over again.  In short, if you go through the fire you will emerge steel.There haven't been all that many fun hiking days as of late.  That's just being honest.  Between the weather and fatigue, it's lost some of is lore.  I treasure any moment that elicits a smile, and pray for better conditions as we finish this last stretch.  If your gonna hike the trail, your gonna have stretches like this.  It's just the way it is.  But I promise, the good times out number the bad by at least a hundred. And when you don't have views or weather or warmth, you still have you friends.  I thank God for them, and somehow we are never short on laughs.  Your friends are every bit as important as any part of this trail.  In fact, there are very few actual parts of trail I'll remember, but the friendships will live on.There is another word in that little notebook I need to write about.  Sunrise.  It was two days out of Demascus, and at a shelter overlooking the valley below.  In the morning Geo was up first and told us there may be a good sunrise coming.  We didn't realize it was such a nice overlook having arrived after dark the night before.  We all took our sleeping bags behind the shelter where we observed a lake of clouds over the valley below.  In the distance was the early glow of the sun sillouhetting the mountains.  We made hot coco and watched as it slowly climbed over the mountains setting the lake of clouds on fire.  It was one of those shared experiences you just don't forget. My God it was majestic.  Well off to sleep with me.  I find myself lying here craving a soda as always.  I think 7up is my favorite, but it depends on the mood.  I prefer pepsi over coke, except cherry coke is better than cherry pepsi.  I'm not a fan of Dr pepper or mountain dew.  There are times when a Ginger ale tastes like nectar of the Gods.  But only with ice, Ginger ale is always best with ice.  Ginger ale and grape juice mixed is a party in your mouth.  Just saying.Happy December everyone.