Date: 2008-02-04
To: Musings...
Miles today: 0.0

There are a few random thoughts I jotted down toward the end of my hike that I wanted to elaborate on - things I didn't want to forget about the trail or life on the trail... * "Ordering things that reminded me of home" - In trail towns, I often found myself wanting to eat something that I made or someone in my family made back home. And nothing ever compared to the real thing but I kept trying. * "Man beards" - This is pretty self explanatory but just such a part of trail culture. * "The regional feel in the east" - once we got to the New Jersey/New York/Connecticut/Mass. area, everything seemed to blend together. Local people started to talk about jetting to various towns ending in -ock. Every point seemed just a hop, skip, and a jump away. All of the states north of there seemed to work as a region, not separate states. * "The way it feels to hike 19 miles in a day. So accomplished. So productive, such a good tiredness." - This was the truth. I always felt SO good after a big day. Granted, I was physically tired but mentally, those were some of the best days. I felt like I was checking off SO much on a gigantic to-do list. I always felt so productive and it had a way of calming me. * "The way it feels to hike on really nice trail. The dirt under your feet. The way you can just keep moving." - After hiking thought Pennsylvania and then the large, slick rocks of New England, I longed for the dull ground of Georgia and Tennessee and Virginia. I'm sure I blocked out the challenges there too but I really came to appreciate soft ground that I didn't have to concentrate on all day. * "The steady flow of thoughts with no idea where they'll go next." - As much as I'd try to focus my thoughts, they always ended up somewhere else. My brain took a vacation. * " The freedom of hiking alone. Being able to think. Being able to structure the day how you want it." - Though I wouldn't trade traveling in a group for anything, I often appreciated the days or stretches of trail when I was alone. It was nice to be able to design each day and stop how I wanted. * "The way a good day can lift your spirit. Like the day walking into Glencliff. So nice." - Often there would be a day when everything looked perfect - the sun would hit the trees just right, the temperature would be just right, your pace would be just right, little animals would scurry around and make you smile. I loved the days when the seasons were heightened and it just brought out the best feeling and appreciation for being out there. * " The way I look forward to getting into my sleeping bag and in my tent. So cozy. So private." - Being outside all day didn't lend itself to being comfortable much of the time and I always looked forward to getting in my sleeping bag and cozying up in it at night. I loved my tent and it really felt like going home after a day of work. * "I understand comfort now." - Before the trail, I never wanted to be too comfortable. I thought it led to a slow decay of the mind and soul. And, to a certain extent, I still believe that. But now, I feel a deep appreciation for being comfortable and doing mundane, comfortable things. I feel I can now balance the comfort. I also don't want to forget picking gnats out of my eyes everyday for several days. Ick.