Date: 2016-04-19
From: Kinkora Hostel

To: Just North of Shook Branch Rec Area
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: clear sky

"Then He said to them, 'Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.'" - Matthew 4:19Day 39I slept in today because I had only 8.2 miles to hike to put me in striking distance of the rendezvous pick-up point with Lil Jan the following day. By the time I rolled out of bed, all but two of the other hikers were long gone.As I relaxed and ate breakfast, I got into an interesting discussion on religion with a fellow hiker taking a zero to rest his feet. Like a few of my fellow students, and more than a few hikers I've encountered, he's somewhat skeptical on matters of faith. He's big into science and looks more for scientific explanations for things, rather than a Creator-God. I told him I was a believer and that the things I'd seen on the trail had only strengthened my faith. I shared a story with him that I have found helpful on my faith journey. A man hikes way out into the woods, far from civilization, and stumbles upon the most magnificent, million dollar cabin he's ever seen. The perfectly manicured lawn and landscaping draw him closer and he discovers the cabin is unlocked. He steps inside to an immaculate interior with all the latest furnishings, expensive hand-crafted furniture, marble hot tub, computer-operated controls for heating and lighting, big screen TV with theater seating, state-of-the-art appliances, etc. He's never seen such an incredible place where clearly no expense has been spared. He steps outside, sees a man pass by, and inquires about the cabin. The man tells him there had been a massive explosion in the woods, a Big Bang, with wood and rock flying in every direction. The cabin, and everything in and around it, just happened to land that way...nothing but pure chance. It was a freak of nature and no one designed any of it. As crazy as that sounds, imagine a universe, or just a human body, or just an eyeball, that is infinitely more complex than that cabin. To me, the AT has simply presented more evidence that there is a Creator-God behind our magnificent universe. I think it actually takes a greater leap of faith to believe this universe all came about by chance. I enjoyed the discussion with my fellow hiker. There was no judging or condemning or name-calling. We were just two hikers processing all that we have seen out here, respectfully sharing some thoughts, and trying to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). We each gave each other some things to think about.Just 1.3 miles into the day's hike, I descended upon the beautiful Laurel Falls, which lived up to its hype. I saw the dangerous whirlpool and a nearby plaque on a tree honoring Dwight and Dagan Cope, the father and son adventurers who died there. Rather than swim, I hiked a hundred yards or so downstream to try to catch a fish. Catching a fish while hiking the AT, without using a rod and reel, was on my AT bucket list. Using a spool of string, lead weight, hook, bobber, and tiny piece of Snickers, I tossed the hook out into some rapids that had water pooling at their base. No luck. After a couple more unsuccessful tosses, I switch to a tiny piece of Slim Jim for bait. Bam! On the first toss I landed a trout! I'm not gonna lie...I felt like a Hunter-Gatherer saving his tribe from starvation, despite the three days worth of food in my food bag. I let the fish go, saw AT snake #4 on some rocks near my backpack, and continued hiking.After climbing one final mountain in hot, humid conditions, I tented at a campsite with Gentle Ben from Idaho. I enjoyed talking to him, but I couldn't stop thinking about Lil Jan, my wife and best friend for the past 28 years. She was going to drive 3 hours in the morning to pick me up at the Shook Branch Recreation Area on Wautaga Lake. I was beyond excited. I was like a kid trying to go to sleep the night before Christmas, knowing he has been a (mostly) good boy and Santa was about to deliver the goods!Fob