Introduction

About Pathways

Appalachian Trail

Why Walk?

Make a Pledge

Hiking Schedule

Journal

Photos

Links

Acknowledgements

April 23, 2001

am

Today was my first day really hiking alone. I left the group about 5 pm on Beauty Spot yesterday. I climbed over Unaka Mountain in the evening—a beautiful spruce forest atop the mountain and incredible views from Beauty Spot. I hope the group had a great sunset and sunrise. I found plenty of room in the shelter and familiar faces when I got there. I slept so well that I dreamed I was in my bed at home, in Whitewater.

Today is gorgeous—what Pete, a friend from camp, would call a Bluebird day. I'm moving pretty slowly, really enjoying the peace and quiet. Happy Earth Day. This is more what I thought the trail would feel like, maybe.

I've been really distracted lately. I feel like I can't find peace of mind with other people around. That will make it difficult to transfer this experience to my other life, but hopefully by then it will all feel like one life.

I went to Hot Spring for Trailfest after Double-Time left. It was a fun day. In the morning Double-Time, Redneck, Groundhog and I all rode Johnny's bikes across town to the McDonald's. The bikes are all fluorescent orange without brakes. Then Liddell's parents and brother came and we had a huge tailgate picnic in her honor. Lots o' dips, chips, and fresh fruits and veggies.

I saw Underdog, Hairbomb, Li'l Engine, Hair ear, Abicus, Punkin' Back—lots of folks at Trailfest. It was right nice. Heard Earl Schaffer speak and show slides of his first walk—the original thru-hike. That was very cool. It was an inspirational show that I needed. Redneck and Groundhog stayed with me.

pm

Today continued to be wonderful. The climb up Roan Mountain was killer. A lot of people call it Groan Mountain. Really only 3.3 miles up, but there is a 1000' climb and descent between the last shelter and the base of Roan Mountain. It was hard work today. I thought about how I might not have all of the answers, how Dale and I talked about, “If the answers are across the road on a billboard (as I put it), you probably don't want those answers.” I though about some of the people on trail that I've met who remind me of people from home—what this means, what lessons I should learn, if I have a mission in life beyond having fun, how I don't want a job—even a meaningful job—that will consume me. Even a job that I would enjoy, especially a job that I'd enjoy, would consume my life. I become singularly focused. Even for a good reason, I don't know if that's a good thing. I also realized that although people on the trail shore me up, without people I wouldn't have so many of the dramas that they help me deal with.