Date: 2014-03-31
From: Franklin Budget Inn

To: Wayah Bald Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Hey everybody! How are things back in the real world? Trail life is suiting me just fine. It's amazing to me how much time I spent researching the trail in the 6 or so months leading up to my departure, and also how very much I have learned and have yet to learn. As it turns out all I really gained from the hours pouring over the computer is an ability to spit out random, useless statistics about gear that usually are only accurate in a laboratory setting and have no practical purpose on the trail. For instance, based on home experiments I calculated that my stove would go through an 8 oz. fuel canister in about 28 days. This was supposed to be a very conservative estimate. However, due to altitude, moisture, temperature, and who knows what other variables, I have gone through an entire canister in 12 days of real trail life. As it happens the only way to learn how to hike the trail is to hike the trail, observe others, ask questions, and be very willing to admit that your assumptions about the trail were in some way flawed. Another bit of trail wisdom that has proven true relates to physical conditioning on the trail. Through my research and testimony from others I gathered the impression that the only way to get in proper trail shape is to hike. That in mind, I did very little conditioning prior to the trail. I became a little disheartened after a few days on the trail because it seemed that most hikers had indeed trained and their bodies were holding up much better than mine. However, after just a couple days of being outpaced by hikers in "better" shape, I began to roll into shelters at the end of the day and see these hikers nursing the same sore joints and muscles that I had been dealing with. The conclusion I have drawn is that strenuous physical conditioning only delays the inevitable breaking down and rebuilding of the body that happens on a thru hike. One last bit of trail wisdom to impart. They say, "It's not about the miles, it's about the smiles." This can be interpreted multiple ways. In this case I am relating the miles to the landscape and environment and the smiles to the townspeople and fellow hikers. This is not to say that I do not wake up every day amazed by the natural beauty around me, or thankful for the opportunity to be wandering free along the backbone of the eastern United States. It is a testament to the sense of community that is fostered among hikers and hiking towns. Everyone I have come across has nothing but kindness and encouragement radiating from within. There is no competition to hike further than your buddy, only a sense of relief and comfort when they stumble into the campsite, tired and sore, but safe, at the end of another long day. As for the locals in town, I can't even walk through a grocery store without being offered a ride back to the trail or a warm meal and a place to stay. As a hiker I have experienced an entirely new level of southern hospitality, from trail magic cookouts to free pancake dinners at local churches. It is a trip to watch the hikers from the north (LOTS of Yankees on the trail) experience this hospitality for the first time. From their accounts we had better get our fill down here, because this kind of treatment comes to an abrupt end north of the Mason-Dixon Line. That is ok by me though, I've experienced enough kind treatment down here to tide me over for the next 5 months. Before I sign out I'll tell you about one of the guys I've hiked with. Tanner is an accountant from the very southern tip of Texas. Accountant is the last thing anyone ever guesses when the subject of occupations gets brought up. Tanner is 6'8' and weighs about 335 lbs if I remember correctly, and looks like he was born to be outdoors. He is hiking with his beautiful Viszla, Copper. Most of the hikers I've met on the trail are either early to mid twenties and have not started careers yet, or are retired. Tanner is in his mid thirties and remains gainfully employed on the trail. Tanner could not get away from work for 6 months to disappear completely into the woods, but this has not stopped him from embarking on the journey. His solution? Every week or two Tanner hunkers down in a hotel room in town, where his secretary has shipped his laptop and other necessities, and he is an accountant for a few days at a time. I remember the first time he explained this plan around the campfire. All of the retirees' eyes lit up. I could almost hear them all thinking, "Damn.. why didn't WE do that?!" As for us who have yet to start a career, we can't help but be inspired. If you can have this much fun and adventure while holding down an accounting job... well the possibilities are endless.Alright I have spent too long on the computer and neglecting town chores once again, I will talk to you all ASAP!!Much love!Johnathan