Date: 2008-05-05
From: Hurricane Mtn. shelter

To: Partnership shelter
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: clear sky

20 miles!   Jeepers, we did it. Last night V8 and I sat at the table outside Hurricane shelter, planning how to supply for the sections from there to Pearisburg. Its a 160 some-odd mile chunk and requires some off trail visits to get food. The terrain to Partnership looked fairly benign, so we thought we would give it a shot. We left at 8am, arrived about 5pm, tired, a little punchy, but psyched that we could do a 20 at this point.   A driving motivator, mundane as it may sound, was knowing that we might be able to have a pizza delivered to the shelter area, and sure enough, Pizza Hut came by after our phone call with a loaded supreme on a pan crust. We ate with Red Dog and Lucky Dog, who had also made the miles. We shared a large bottle of Pepsi, which tasted so cold, sweet and yummy, I practically wept!      After my Virginia Creeper Trail miles the other day [17 miles. Ed.], I am enjoying long flats and moving much more smartly than earlier in the trip. Its bringing out a sense of competition with myself, pushing to see how fast or far I CAN go, now that my body is tuned up for this. Sometimes I do not want to be under pressure to get somewhere, however, and I occasionally miss the conditions to indulge in spontaneous side trips or midday lunches with a nap tucked in.    I have been talking with V8 about our goals for this trip recently, and as with any team, suspect we will be doing this frequently. I question the whole concept of using the AT for a one season "thru hike". The AT as I understand it was constructed to provide access to the outdoors for those who travel on foot. My experience of the AT now that I have more than my 150 New England miles under my belt, is that it is truly a national treasure. Folks can pick an entry point in 13 different states, and day hike, go for a weekend, take family or go solo, go with a club, and so on. People can hike it end to end in a season if they basically take it on as a somewhat extreme sport. There is much calculating, planning, pushing and prioritizing that needs to be done. Few people go out to hike it thru without an abiding awareness of time, energy, food, and miles. My main desire has been to hike the Trail for as long as I can, to be immmersed in the world that this trail encompasses as fully as possible.    I have not wanted to hike solo particularly. I am savoring the chance to share this with my sister: the laughs, work, rewards, birds, plants, and people. Its great to solve problems together. I can't think of a better hiking partner.      Recently it has become clear that we need to push more in order to keep her dream of thru hiking a real possibility. Its been invigorating responding to this increase in miles and hiking hours. Today was a good example.    I know that I won't always feel so upbeat about a big pull or about other costs of attempting a thru hike. I want to support Jan's vision of possibilities for as long as it brings out vitality in me.    So far, that is exactly what has happened. Her motivation and energy enhance mine in ways that have been good for me, the best possible outcome of hiking with one's twin.Marcia JamrogAuntie Mame