Date: 2006-03-28
From: Erwin

To: Erwin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I'm still in Erwin at Miss J's. Seems that I have seriousely screwed up my knees. After one week of just hanging out and relaxing I tried to do some day hikes yesterday and the day before. Sunday I went from Indian Grave Gap back to the Nolichucky River. As most of the hike was downhill (moderate) it was almost no problem, especially if you only have 2 pounds on your back. Yesterdays hike was a bit more difficult. We went over Unaca Mountain back to Indian Grave Gap. The last 2 miles downhill from Beauty Spot haven't been fun. The snow has begun to melt away and it was pretty slippery and slushy and I often slipped. This puts additional pressure on the knees which isn't the best therapy. But this doesn't mean I'm not having fun. Since I'm here I've met so many interesting people and done so many things I'd have never done if I would have been on the trail (cooking dinner, installing a bench for shoedryers, rebuilding a board for hanging pots and pans, putting up a new lamp for the kitchen, going to restaurants and to the movies - we saw V for Vendetta, a very well made and interesting movie, and so on). And I learned some interesting lessons about life in general. Why is it worth less if a plan doesn't work out? Instead of complaining and hating myself for not beeing able to hike on I decided to enjoy every f***ing minute. And there are so many little things to enjoy.I decided to not write about Janet and her hostel because words are insufficient to describe, especially if you are not a native speaker like me. You really have to make the experience by yourself to understand what I mean. And everybody will make his own different experience. The only thing I can tell you are this two things:1. If you're hiking through Erwin without staying here you will have missed something very important, but you will never know.2. If you decide to stay you won't be the same person when you leave. I cant tell you what the change will be because this depends on who you are, but something will have changed. And it could even take you some time to notice the change. One of the things I've learned in the past few days is to take every chance for going out and enjoying the beauty of nature. And this is my plea to you so called "arm chair hikers" (this isn't my phrase but what one of the people who signed my guestbook called himself): Don't wait until the day you have the time and the money to hike the Appalachian Trail in a manner some books claim as the only legitimate way to do. Whenever the weather is good grab you a pack and lift your butt from the sofa to go out and hike. If you only have two days or a week, who cares? Make use of your time and enjoy every minute. The trail won't go away. I know that this has been written so many times, but it's nevertheless an important truth: Treat every day of your live as if it were the last and accept the little twists life sometimes takes. It's not the ultimate goal (Kathadin) that counts, but the way you made it there. Every single mile and every single day is so much more important than finishing after 6 months of pain and overcoming. But probably I'm not the person who is able to explain the neccessity of what I've mentioned. If you want to have a better explanation come to 220 North Elms Ave, Erwin TN, and ask for Janet Hensley. And the chances you will leave with a different view as you had upon your arrival are considerably high. Even if it takes a while for some people to let it sink in ;-) Bruno