Introduction

About Pathways

Appalachian Trail

Why Walk?

Make a Pledge

Hiking Schedule

Journal

Photos

Links

Acknowledgements

June 2, 2001

I am in the pocket, in the fold. Once again, I am hiking with people I like and am comfortable with--Norway, Beatle, and YOLO (You Only Live Once). Therefore, I feel the need to stop. I feel the need to make other parts of my life right and to keep in touch with folks off of the trail. Is it that I'm happy so I want to be productive and work on my whole life? Or is it that when I'm not surrounded by people I like--when I can again feel the anxiety of being alone--I can't think about anything except finding people? Miles become the most important thing when I'm not with people I identify with. But once I'm with them, I go back inside my head. That's why I don't take side trips. That's why I don't slow down. I say it's because people are so important to me in my experience. But maybe it's really because of fear.

Even out here we are all like cows. We stick to the path, often with head down. We had to break free once to come out here. Now we are free to conform to a new standard, it seems. Maybe there will be no transfer back to life. We will return as we left, with memories instead of lessons. I feel the rush and pull even out here.

New age religions and thinking are primarily based on ancient Eastern philosophies. If that's true, the credulity suddenly sky rockets.

This morning I saw a deer, a bear, and a rabbit before 10:00. I also scared up a big pheasant and smaller fowl.

I suddenly miss the people I love today. I'm kind of lost.

YOLO, Norway, Beatle, and now Moonshadow are keeping me going. Tired night-hiking tonight for 0.7 mile. I might give it one more chance.