Date: 2015-05-21
From: Old Forge Picnic Area - Fayetteville

To: Tumbling Run Shelters
Miles today: 1.0
Weather: light rain

5/21, Tumbling Run Shelters, 1My recuperation shall end! The best part is I am ready. My healing is total and test walking has revealed I am prepared for the remainder of my adventure. I have accomplished several things over the last few days of non hiking. First, and foremost, I am in great health and ready to go. Second, I have reevaluated my gear and will send a few more ounces home. I loaded and weighed my lightened pack in the fitness center here and with four days food, and a days start of water (2.5 liters) it weighs in at 38 pounds. That means my base weight is finally down near or just below 30 pounds. With that base weight I plan to finish the hike with the gear I have and do not anticipate adding any until the end of July, if necessary. Third, I was able to get my pack washed which is a real bonus as it was beginning to smell like a locker room the moment I put it on. Fourth, I have had the time to reflect on the many blessings of my life including faith, family and friends all of which came to bear on a successful mid hike break to heal and renew. Fifth, I have registered for my return to life this fall and the continuation of my education as well as discovered how quickly I can put weigh back on. One of the things I think about a lot is keeping my current condition after the hike. The reduced activity and habits of high caloric consumption of the last few days have added several pounds back to my frame very quickly. While weighing my pack I discovered I was approaching 200 pounds again so I will need to find a high level of self control, and some kind of regular exercise, to maintain the physical condition that makes me feel so alive and energetic. Moreover, I cannot wait until I get home to begin as it is obvious the very day I stop walking 20 miles I will need to reduce my caloric intake to stave off the gains that may come. I have read of many who put on even more weight after their hike than they had when they began, because of the eating habits developed while hiking the trail. I plan to watch my caloric intake and begin pursuing a new physical activity, such as running, that will be interesting , challenging and healthy when I return to Ohio. For now I wait for my brother to finish his workday and continue to experience the nerves of waiting similar to those I had at the beginning of my adventure. I believe it is because I respect the difficulty of the task before me that I am nervous with caution. It is not fear, rather, a healthy respect for the difficulty of the task. Visiting with Quebec last week reminded me how far I have walked and how difficult it was at the beginning. I am reminded that this is no light undertaking and as I know some of you are considering a thru hike, my admonition is to do it, but be prepared. Read many journals, and books. I especially benefited from reading Appalachian Trials which speaks to the mental challenges of undertaking a successful thru hike. Tonight I will enjoy one last meal (dinner) with my brother here in PA, my host for the last few days, as he drives me back to the Old Forge Picnic area and I resume my hike. I will hike a single mile to the Tumbling Run shelters this evening and settle in there to restart my long hiking days tomorrow. On to Maine!Silverback