Date: 2004-04-07
From: Max Patch Summit

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Oh the Visage!...the aftermath of Bug War I can be seen at the anterior end of Beatbox's tent. Unlike in World War II the axis forces (Beatbox) have defeated the Allied forces (mosquitoes, Gnats, and Moths). Beatbox avoidedthe aerial assaults as best as possible but was hit many times. Beatbox countered their air attack with a show of brute force (camp shoe), but was not victorious until resorting to chemical warfare (DEET). Even now many insects are mourning the loss of their loved ones and rumor has it that Beatbox may face a War Tribunal for perpetrated crimes (Scary environmentalists may attack Beatbox...AHHH!). Beatbox is now at peace without the threat of further invasion (Beatbox zipped up the tent he moronically left open).    In case it is not apparent from the above paragraph I am suffering from mild delirium. I hiked with Tarzan again today. We sang 80's songs (poorly) and talked about randomness. The day started with a sunrise almost as impressive as the blazing orange moonrise that I witnessed after completing last night's journal. My night on Max Patch was so awesome !!! Today, I woke up with really sore calves but felt far less after 2 Aleve. We began hiking at around 8 AM and all was GREAT. We were going to stop at a shelter after 16 miles, but arrived at 3PM and decided to push in to the town of Hot Springs. Hot Springs is not a town "near" the trail it is a town "on" the trail. The trail runs down Main Street. It is a small town possessing a small store, laundry, outfitter, 2 churches, railroad tracks, a pub, a diner, no traffic light, but 2 organic farms. I have a campsite that costs 5 bucks (why waste money?). I will shower, build Tarzan a stove, pick up my post office package, and head out some time in the morning. I believe Hot Springs even has real hot springs but I will avoid spending that money at this point.   A large reason why I hiked on was to catch Walk Softly. He had said he would be on Max Patch, but apparently hiked ahead. I did not catch him but I found out that he had stopped in Hot Springs too, and recieved a ride home for the evening. I wanted to catch up to him because he said that I could ride in to Ashville for Easter with him. At first I was afraid he left early, but another hiker "Mouth" said he was only going to town for the night and would be back in the morning. I think I should catch him tomorrow. Assuming I get to Easter services this will be a huge blessing! In addition to not finding Walk Softly I also missed my friend Heather . We all use to hike together and I found out she is now working in an organic farm in town. I went to the farm but found no trace of her. Instead I ate dinner with Tarzan, Mouth, and Buckeye, and we all watched a dvd together. At dinner, for the first time on this trip, I did not pig out. I ate 3 and a half chicken strips and had Pepsi (they did not sell Coke). I could not finish the last strip and left near all of my cornbread, fries and okra. The other 3 devoured my leftovers of course.    The more I reflect on this trip the more I feel blessed. I've seen so much beauty, met so many Awesome people, and had so many huge revelations. Furthermore, I feel at peace. Today I paid bills so I won't have those worries for another month. This town is cute, the trail is great, and my problems seem minimal. This morning my legs did hurt pretty bad and the inhabitants of my stomach had a mass evacuation (I used leaves again ). The trail guide listed zero water sources over a 5 mile stretch so I cameled up on water only to cross some 21 unmarked sources of water during that 5 miles. These "problems" are so minimal though. I met 2 men from Buffalo who gave me coffee, I killed numerous bugs , I saw a small waterfall, I saw a new plant that resembled a tulip (?), and I saw 2 lizards. In addition, I had time to pray, covered almost 20 miles, and had a blast talking to Tarzan. I feel very content and know that God will be with me through good times and trials.   I am going to bed soon but will give a few final thoughts:1. I still feel there is so much more God has to show me on the trail.2. I miss the people at home but I know I should be here.3. I find that spiritual/emotional positives outweigh physical pain.4. I REALLY want to join Walk Softly for Easter.5. I still feel weird pooping in the woods..., yet manly too.6. I've never prayed so much, it's really cool.7. I may seem insane when I pray and sing aloud. I do not notice other hikers and loudly walk by in my own little world.8. My poetry is not great but I think its neat.   I find rhyming lines to be so sweet.9. I went through Garenflo Gap today, I wonder if its first name is Jenean?10.Tarzan is a random cat. I had a blast hiking with him. We even spelled words backwards (YAY). So as we would say:                                    THGINDOOG, XOBTAEB   ttt