Date: 2011-04-05
From: Franklin, NC

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 13: Zero (no trail miles) day in Franklin.These zero days are starting to add up. Our 1st actual zero day where we didn't start out on the trail nor go to the trail at the end of the day! We stayed at the Franklin Motel again, which had a queen-sized bed. Lots of room compared to our two-person tent.Good food to be had: pizza at Vito's, yummy sandwiches at Rosebud Cottages. Free pancake breakfasts from the local First Baptist Church. (To Jim, Jess, and the boys: enjoy the goofy picture!) We are sitting at dinner, gorging on pizza at Vito's, when the owner comes over to talk. Turns out he grew up in Grand Rapids, MI. My mom is from Paw Paw, Michigan..not far away. He starts asking how old my mom is and whether she ever went to the bar Toppers in Kalamazoo. Strange. Mom, any recollection of good ole Mr. Vito?It is obvious that thru-hikers like to walk. But, walking in town is not a favorite of many. So, I am very happy when we can eliminate walking to the other end of town. Computer use at the motel which also has laundry: sweet! This was our first town resupply where we only used the grocery store for food (instead of a maildrop). We could probably get by on just town grocery stores and dollar generals, but we want to eat more than poptarts. So far our trail food has been pretty good. We have only had one dinner meal(chipped beef and dried peas), which was DISGUSTING! We even tried this recipe at home. It made too big of a portion and it was everything we could do to scarf most of it down. Even thru-hikers have limits.The AT is a social trail. For the most part, I am enjoying this aspect of the hike. If I had wanted a completely wilderness experience, I would have chosen another trail. The ebb and flow of people up the trail is interesting. You catch up to people you didn't think you would see again and then meet new people as they catch up to you. There are all sorts of people on the trail. Young, old, rich, poor, religious, non-religious. The pancake breakfast church is keeping track of the number of states and countries represented: 38 states and 5 countries. I believe the youngest thruhiker in the past was 8 years old (hiked w/ parents). We have met Cimmaron, an 88 year old man attempting a thruhike and he has already done it once before! I am surround by many people who inspire me to continue every step of the way. We met Troll, who has done many long distance trails in the past, some with his wife and young son. I would love to provide this type of experience for my children someday.I have been suprised that many of the people I have met are repeat thru-hikers, even more than 2 thru-hikes. They say that it becomes addicting. I am not so sure.Several days ago, we crossed the GA-NC state line. One state down, 13 more to go! Seems like a good reason to celebrate, until you look at the map. We took a picture with us in front of the sign. I had been hoping that there would be a group of people waiting at the line to celebrate and cheer us on. No such luck, so I made the fanfare noise myself and did a little dance. I guess this isn't a marathon. However, Model T (a four time thru-hiker) said that each day on the trail is like running the equivalent of 3 marathons.