Date: 2015-09-02
To: Things I'll miss on the trail
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I'm sure that there will be a lot of events between March and September next year that I won't be able to attend because I'll be out on the trail. I haven't really thought much about that aspect of the hike and I'm sure I'll have a lot to say about the topic when/if I start to feel sad about missing out on fun with my friends or family.But that isn't today! Lately I've been thinking a lot about the little everyday comforts and routines that I'll miss while "homeless" in the woods - and I thought I'd share why I'll miss some of the more unusual things.#1: Nail polish!I keep my nails (toes and fingers) painted nearly constantly. I have a bajillion discrete shades of polish and I love the routine of taking off a chipped manicure, choosing a new color, and carefully applying new coats for the next week. Plus it makes me feel put-together and is almost the only feminine/appearance thing that I do on a regular basis. I will miss my little bottles! My fingers will be so naked!#2: My loofah!Of course, everyone misses readily available hot showers and being clean every day. I know that I'll miss it too. But I think I'll especially miss my cheap plastic loofah when I get those infrequent and revered hiker showers - I feel so much cleaner when I can make a ton of soap suds and wash myself with that weird spongy ball of plastic curls. I'm getting the impression from other thru-hiker accounts that even just warm running water is heavenly, regardless of washcloth or even soap availability, so I'm sure I'll be okay... but dang, I like that little loofah.#3: My hair.This one is still up for debate - and may possibly end up as journal post topic of its own - but I am currently leaning toward rocking very short hair for my hike. I used to keep it in a short bob/pixie style but I grew it out over the past few years and today it's halfway down my back. While long, it's SO easy to throw it up in a ponytail and it's well-behaved enough that even when I wear it down I rarely blowdry or straighten it at all. I never use product. But long hair, especially mine, gets really, really greasy and kinda gross after more than two days without showering. I can tie it up and throw a bandanna on but it's still dirty and I think it would be very hard to keep clean while this long. If I cut my hair into a pixie I think it will be more manageable, But I will certainly miss the length!!#4: Internet! (or general connectivity)I'm not talking about Facebook (I'm not on it, anyway...) or other social media sites because I'm actually looking forward to being disconnected from all that noise, and of course I know that I'll miss be able to contact my friends whether it's text, mail, Snapchat, or phone calls. I'm talking about general internet availability to be able to update this journal, tell people that I'm still safe and moving forward, or to look up information about the next portion of the trail. I'm sure I'll be fine with my physical A.T. guide book, but sometimes I worry about being out in the woods with no way to contact anyone. Worst case scenarios get stuck in my head all the time!!#5: Normal feetI have slender feet, no problems, no corns or bunions or blisters or unusual calluses, cute toenail polish (see #1!), and I'm comfortable in shoes. They work great for walking and running and wearing high heels. I'm unreasonably frustrated that they'll be sacrificed over the course of this hike. What if they get wider and I have to buy new shoes!? I already have a ton of cute shoes! I don't want to get a new collection! but I will... if I have to... because the AT is more important than keeping my feet exactly the way they are. See? I'm so reasonable (ha ha ha.)And, of course, I'll miss all the normal stuff like burgers and fresh veggies and mattresses and blankets and driving 5 minutes to see friends and drinks that aren't water and I might even miss having a job, but that's all expected. But nail polish!! I will miss that more than most people So, fellow outdoors-people, are there any unusual things that you think you might miss (or did miss!) while hiking?