Date: 2018-05-18
From: Pigeon River, Tennessee

To: Erwin, Tennessee
Miles today: 103.5

I hit the trail Sunday, May 13th around 10:30 am to find the tail much hotter and more humid than I had left it.  On this day I passed over the famous Max Patch, as seen in the movie rendition of A Walk In The Woods.  The view was an incredible 360 degree view, yet even more incredible was the coincidence that took place at the top.  I ran into several hikers I had been hiking with weeks prior, thinking they were too far ahead of me to see again.  We split and agreed we would see each other in Hot Springs the next day.  I made it to Hot Springs on my own the next day around 2 pm, heading straight to the river to clean up and cool down before heading to the local tavern for a meal.  I had every intention of getting in more miles that day when I ran into my hiker buddies camped out on the river.  I decided to stick around and do the same.  That night, a family renting a house near by invited all of us over for free dinner, beer, and a fire.  Turned out to be a great evening of success stories and mutual grievances.  During this time, a couple whom we all knew came into town after having completed their first 20 mile day.  They jokingly collapsed (but also not jokingly) as we cheered them in.  It was in this moment I realized the necessity of the idea of a strong 'trail family'.  Truth is, this is not easy. This is not a vacation.  It's a pilgrimage.  Even if the terrain and miles are tolerable for some, the elements have a way of taking its toll on the mind and spirit, as was evident the next four days which were packed full of relentless torrential downpours, soaked clothes, and uneasy footings.  There is something very difficult about putting on wet and cold clothes each morning after trying to sleep through thunderstorms in a damp sleeping system expecting to get in 15-20 miles day after day.  Your feet are so saturated that after a few days your skin literally starts to peel off.  Those in the muck with you make success that much more attainable.  On my way out of Hot Springs before the weather set in, I had my 3rd bear encounter.  I was hiking on my own and I heard a crash so loud I knew it had to be a bear.  As I approached I saw the bear, larger in stature than the others, 15 yards off trail.  It held its head high, moved its ears around like little satellites, then took off.I also have had some more interesting owl visitations.  One night I was camping alone on a ridge when I was awoken by a loud noise right outside my tent.  It was 2:30 in the morning.  I climbed out to investigate to find a fog and darkness so dense I was afraid to leave my tent out of fear of not being able to find it again.  I looked up and perched in the tree right above my tent was a large owl calling to another within the same camp site, yet I could not see it for the fog.  The owl turned and stared at me with large dark eyes until I climbed back in my tent.  The next night I heard more, not so close, as I camped with others.  They asked what that noise was.  I explained a barred owl and they must be everywhere as I see and hear them all the time.  They told me that was the first they had heard the entire trip. I start the trail again in the morning as I prepare my mind for 3 more days of forecasted rain and thunderstorms.  The Tibetan people believe that they travel great distances to purify their soul.  The longer and more difficult the journey, the deeper the purification.  For this I look forward to and am thankful for these coming challenges.