Date: 2003-04-10
From: Slackpackers Anonymous

To: Slackpackers Anonymous
Miles today: 0.0

The house is coming to life at Miss Janet's where weary hikers have come to rest their feet, enjoy meeting other hikers, cram into bunkbeds and enjoy the cooking and warmth of Miss Janet's home. It's supposed to snow today in the mountains, so Guana and I are trying our first day of "slackpacking." This means just carrying the day's provisions and hiking back to a hostel to sleep there tonight. We will do 9 miles today without the 35 plus pounds of weight on our back. Whatever shall we do? I might float off the mountain. We have been enjoying taking a "zero day" yesterday and did nothing more than make phone calls, watch television and gorge ourselves on food, wonderful food. Guana and I have dropped between 10 and 15 pounds each in just one month. I still have the spare spare tire to get rid of but I too am beginning to see that the walking is making the difference. Amazing, eh? Of course, with the walking, comes a voracious appetite. We used to be able to get by one eating just one packet of Macaroni and cheese between the two of us and now - it's just an appetizer. Hunger is setting in. I think we are fast approaching the point in our metabolism when we can't possibly carry enough calories or food to satisfy our hunger. We'll have to get used to it. But for now we are enjoying potato chips, brownie dough and other delicacies. Sometimes it is not even the food but the fact that someone will serve you! That's nice!I have to admit that I am pretty proud of our hiking rhythm. We have not pushed too hard and are reaping the benefits. Several hikers who pushed too hard in the beginning are having to stop for weeks for one reason or another such as shin splints, stress fractures, achilles tendons, etc. Guana and I feel good but are quickly realizing that the journey is a long one and it will take a ton of stamina to stay the course.In addition to potential injuries are all the alluring towns along the trail. The charm of Hot Springs, NC was hard to break away from. Miss Janet's house is another. Just great energy and neat people and good home cooking within reach of all the modern services such as post office, library, stores, movie theatre, etc. Some people come for a day and stay for a week or two. Sometimes they work in the houses for a few weeks. And so we find that there are a million and one reasons why people don't finish the trail and that's alright. It's their path and a common term amongst hikers is "Hike your Hike." One of my favorite sayings - "Success is a journey, not a destination." That's definetly what we have to keep in mind at least until we get a little closer to Maine. We have trekked over 300 miles now and equipment and bodies are holding well together. I tend to forget to pack a thing or two and leave it at a shelter. Just yesterday a hiker carried my pack cover to me that I had left at a shelter. I was cursing myself that morning and wondering if a good soul brought it forward. My faith was restored in people, when hikers WENCH and HOT DOG showed up with it for me. Such is fellowship....not of the rings...but of the trail. Well, everyone is working around me here as I tap on the internet line in the kitchen. They are all abuzz trying to make enough breakfast. Guana is tasked with the chore of seeing who is sleeping here again tonight so we can establish the availability. So I better run. We'll do some more later. There are too many thoughts to write at this time. Suffice it to say that each day of the journey is an unwritten adventure and we are enjoying making it up as we go along. :)Thanks for your support, prayers and positive energy. It helps! Hasta la Vista, baby!