Introduction

About Pathways

Appalachian Trail

Why Walk?

Make a Pledge

Hiking Schedule

Journal

Photos

Links

Acknowledgements

May 13, 2001

Mother's Day. Remembering this day of last year almost made me lose it coming up Dragon's Tooth today.

Redneck and I hiked a tough 16 miles into Catawba today (and two 21-mile days before) all to get to Homeplace, an incredible all you can eat restaurant where the food is served family style. We ate with Thawookie, Freebird, and BamBam. We made a killing and had a fun waitress named Evelyn "ET". I ate three plates full of chicken, roast beef, mashed potatoes, green beans, pinto beans, coleslaw, and baked apples PLUS three peach cobbler desserts. I don't know that I've ever consumed that much food in my life or even half that much food in one sitting. And I've never been that excited about it. Then again, I am the only person on trail I know of still gaining weight. I'm up about 7-8 pounds. Good news is that I feel fit, not fat.

We've seen some gorgeous things in the last few days. Vistas from the Dragon's Tooth, goats on a ridge that lick the salt off your legs, the first blooming rhododendrons of the year, hitching with three drunk old men who offered us beer in their station wagon. (I'm so glad I don't hitch alone.) We met a family living under a red roof who had lived in Cross Plains, WI for six years. Now they farm and homeschool their daughter and sell goodies to hikers on their porch.

Hiking by miles is a good challenge, but I don't think I'll make a habit of it. I'm out here to slow down the pace of life.

I had a really interesting conversation with Thawookie this morning. He was telling me about nutrition and the importance of organic food. He learned at UGA that the government started adding vitamins and extra preservatives to foods about the time of the Great Depression. Our parents are the first generation to show results from this. There are a lot more instances of neurological diseases and autoimmune disorders. For instance, preservatives and sweeteners in sodas--especially nutrasweet in Diet Coke--put chemicals in the brain that the body can't get rid of. Mom drank almost 50 oz. of Cherry Coke a day. Multiple Sclerosis and brain cancer are both neurological. Strange new slant. Something for me to think about. Not only did Mom care for everyone else, but she didn't care for herself.