Date: 2006-06-15
From: Zero day

To: Zero day, (Wallingford VT)
Miles today: 0.0

The following isn't necessarily related to hiking the trail, but it is related to the reasons behind my decision to hike the trail and how I chose my trail name.Today I completed the first part of my pilgramage. I walked almost 1,600 miles and arrived at the Wilson House in East Dorset VT by car. (Mrs G dropped me off after taking Bluebird and Abandon to the trail head for another slack pack). I felt a complete sense of peace and ease at the Wilson House. It is a place I could come to and never leave. It's as if the spirit of Bill Wilson himself is alive and well and present throughout the house and the adjacent grounds.The house is not maintained as a shrine, but to me it is a spiritual, if not holy, place. It is astounding to think of all the people AA has saved and not just alcoholics themselves. The Big Book says: "Near you, alcoholics are dying helplessly...there are hundreds...these are the future fellows of AA...you will be bound to them with new and wonderful ties, for you will escape disaster together and...shoulder your common journey. Then you will know what it means to give of yourself that others may survive and rediscover life. You will learn the full meaning of 'Love thy neighbor as thyself'"As I walked on this journey, I've pondered "what will I do with my life when I fnish?" I've had a sense that, in whatever capacity, I should do something to help others. The visit to the Wilson House has reinforced that thought.Alcohol is cunning, baffling and powerful. It is patient. If I am to stay sober and live the AA prpgram as a way of life, I know that I must Pass It On, carry the message. In return I believe that the piece of my life which has been missing for so long will be found.Yesterday, I visited Bill and Lois where they are buried about 1 1/2 miles from the Wilson House. I left one of my coins with them. I am not the first to do so of course. There were some coins left which showed visitors to have over 20 years of sobriety. There was a time I thought that impossible for me. Today I know that I am wrong in that thought. To Bill W, Dr Bob and all the other AA's before me, I owe my life. Not just my physical life, but more importantly, my spiritual life. I am etenally grateful. I am fortunate to live in the day and age that AA exists. No matter what I choose to do in life, the doors of AA are always open and the program of AA will be there to use if I am willing.After getting picked up by Mrs G, BB & Abandon, we went to Manchester for dinner. 1st we stopped at the Mountain Goat to see if my boots happened to come in. Nope. I bought some aqua mira. I've never used it before but it looks like I will have to purify a lot of water in Maine and wasn't sure if it was wise to continue to use iodine. After eating, we drove by the Sutton House, a place where hikers sometimes stay in town. We saw Moleman who was headed back to McDonalds to link up with Pebbles, Fatcamp, Jolly and Salsa. They were going to get back on the trail, but Mrs G dropped them at the Avalanche Motel instead while BB, Abandon and I browsed the book store. It was a really great book store. I picked up a short Stephen King novel to read on the trail. The story is even related to the AT.By Mrs G's bathroom scale I am now under 200 lbs. I've lost about 40 pounds. I think most of it was in my butt. My pack weight is about 24 pounds with no food and water, but I am short on fuel, so with that I am probably a little over 25 lbs. Mrs G is letting me borrow a 45 degree sleeping bag that weighs about 2 pounds. I was afraid my poncho liner wouldn't cut it since I don't have any fleece type undergarments. My last night out at Congdon Shelter seemed chilly and the temp was only in the mid to low 50's.More tourist questions.Q4:How do you get food?A4: I forage. It was tough in winter. But you can eat any kind of grass and an entire pinetree (I explain my food/mail drop resupply; the part about grass and pine trees is true, that is, they're all edible)Q5:Do you carry a gun? I answer no which leads to: Well, what if you see a bear?A5: I was attacked by a crazed bear but I beat it off with my poles. Once, I wold pig charged me and I impaled it by setting my pole against a tree and the pig ran into the pole (I politely explain that I am more likely to get mugged at home and I don't carry a gun there either)Q6: Where do you sleep?A6: I have to get off the trail everyday to find a motel or hostel and that's pretty tough (I usually sleep in shelters [lots of folks don't even know they exist] or just find a flat piece of ground to camp)Q7: How many miles in a day do you go?A7: That depends on how many Rangers are after me (I explain that my mileage is dependant on terrain)