Date: 2003-11-16
To: Two Months Post-Hike
Miles today: 0.0

I still see the trail. Every day, visions of parts of the trail float before me.   Surprisingly, it's not the best views, or the prettiest piece of trail, but just... Anytrail, on Anyday. I've seen road crossings, rocks that I'd used for a snack spot or lunch break, flat trail tucked into the woods. I think "Wow! That was really pretty!" They were just filler; occupying space between mountain peaks. And yet, that's what most of the trail was. Perhaps because I have photographs of the usual "beautiful" places, my mind is showing me the little things. I don't mind seeing the trail. In fact, I love it! It helps me remember days whose memories are starting to fade.It's been easier than I thought to be back home. I'll will be the first to admit, it isn't easy to live with my parents, but they have been just wonderful. Just as wonderful as while I was hiking. I still spend a lot of time resting and relaxing, but try to do something every day. Mom and Dad are letting me live rent-free (for now), and are paying me a little bit to help them out with chores and projects. I am lucky, once again, for not having to jump off the trail and back into full-time work, and I have my parents to thank! It seems I owe them a lot for this hike!The one thing I miss the most, is the great weather I had in Maine! Southwest Florida is nearly opposite on the weather scale, with upper 80s for temps and high humidity. I was used to a high MAYBE reaching 70, and lows in the 30s or 40s, with low humidity! It made for great hiking, and even better sleeping, and I miss it. I also miss sleeping outside, but won't do so here, with the hot weather.I don't have any plans for a job yet, but am still considering a move farther north, near/in the mountains and much closer to the AT. My current tentative plan is to stay around here through the holidays, and maybe through winter, then make a move north, temporary OR permanent. In the meantime, if my bank account runs low, I have a few options for jobs here, such as working at a Veterinarian Clinic. For the spring, I'm considering a park ranger position, AT ridgerunner, or caretaker. I'll also consider working for a Vet then too. I don't feel much pressure to get a "real" job. Not yet anyway. It's not characteristic of me to rely on others and be "irresponsible" by not working, but at the time neither is happening. I believe I am right where I should be.I can't believe I hiked the entire AT! Looking back, it certainly was a grand accomplishment, but I still look at parts of the trail, not the whole thing at once. It didn't seem so hard, while hiking, to be hiking all of the AT. It was just what I was doing, every day, in 3- or 4-day sections. I keep saying "How difficult is it to walk north everyday?" Not very. The basic idea is quite simple, but, physically, it takes its toll.My knees are still very sore. They were getting better up until two weeks ago, but are aching once again. I have trouble jogging/running without wincing, which is not a huge problem (except when I play softball once a week). My feet have stopped hurting. For the first month after getting off the trail, I wore my flip-flops, almost exclusively. They were the only thing that made my feet feel better. Even if I only got up to walk from the bedroom to the bathroom, my flip-flops were on my feet. Now, shoes feel okay too. I think my knees will recover in time, but my hope is that it is soon!The simplicity of the trail is long gone. I've been tossed into a house with two people who don't know the simplicity of the trail. I still hold the value of simplicity with me, though, and will try to apply it whenever possible.I spend WAY too much time watching TV. I look for movies all the time, and I don't care what they are! I missed movies, and just love watching them now. Maybe it's just an excuse to lounge for a 2-hour period. Whatever the reason... I'm glad my parents have HBO. ;-)I still know that this was, and is the best thing I've ever done. The journey is still continuing. It won't ever end, and for that, I am glad.