Date: 2018-09-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, I figured I should put in at least one post-trail update.I went back to the Charleston area with my parents and was busy with the holidays and Hurricane Florence. We debated evacuating but ultimately stayed which worked out because the area was spared. Unfortunately, North Carolina got hit pretty bad so I have been helping out the Red Cross virtually. Now that the holidays are over, I¢m going to head up and assist in person (but as a volunteer so I can pick what I want to do!). Eventually I¢ll need to figure out where I want to settle down (which I was supposed to have done on the trail), but for now I figure why not use some free time while I have it.Now, some updates on life after the trail:Physically:I only lost about ten or fifteen pounds (I didn¢t weigh myself before leaving) and probably already put it back on. But I definitely didn¢t look or feel super malnourished like some people get. I guess because I always fed the hiker hunger! I did lose that hunger and cravings for sugary junk food pretty quickly. Now just dark chocolate for dessert!My feet and back recovered pretty quickly after a few days off. My knees are a little creaky, and I feel them after sitting for a while. I think pushing it the last couple of weeks was not the best idea for them. So I¢m going to look into stretches, etc. and if needed will go to a doctor.Psychologically:I still haven¢t been that emotional about it and doesn¢t internally feel like I¢ve just done a huge accomplishment. Like everyone¢s been congratulatory and it feels good, but it¢s kind of back to business. I haven¢t really had any huge epiphanies, but that wasn¢t my goal.In terms of my reasons for hiking the trail, here¢s where I stand; some were ones I knew in advance and others I didn¢t realize were reasons until later:-Challenge myself (check!)-Learn new skills (check!)-Be comfortable outside in less than ideal weather (got somewhat better, so half check?)-Be outside so much I¢ll be ok indoors afterwards (nope, I blame the abnormal number of rainy days on this as I still crave the sun)-Be more confident in wilderness situations (half check, as I was never really that far or from civilization or went longer than 5 days between resupply-Go with the flow more/flexibility/acceptance-Have a bunch of adventures (check!)I will say that I developed an appreciation for some of the things we take for granted, like indoor plumbing. I apologize if I already wrote about this, but one of the Sounds of the Trail interviewees was talking about how trail life is easy/straightforward (just walk), but a lot of the normal daily tasks are so involved. Like getting water involves finding a good source, filtering, etc. where in the ¢real world¢ can just turn on a faucet. I use real world in quotes there because some consider the trail to be more real/natural than fake people in society. Not sure my thoughts on that yet...A lot of people also realize that everything they need they carried on their backs and become more minimalist. This was not a big issue for me before the trail (basically only want what fits in my car anyway), but definitely will be culling some boxes.Overall:Not sure what else to update. I¢m glad I did the blog as a historical record I can look back on, but it also nice now I can just go on a hike and not have to worry about mileage, remembering important events to include, etc.I have no desire to do a long distance hiking trip anytime soon. For the Triple Crown (Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide) trails, they say you either do one or all three and right now I¢m firmly in the former group. Just doing a day hike or weekend trip sounds really nice right now.Finally, for those keeping track the final list of items I lost/forgot (as far as I remember):Quick Dry ToweliPod ShuffleBan Dana (x6)Spork (x3)Carabiner (x3)Paracord (x3)WatchToiletries bagPenGlovesRubber pole tips (x2)Charger outlet boxWater bottle capHeadphones (x2)O ringBlue hiking T-shirtCool max socksSawyer filter (x2)Water bottles