We passed the quarter way point so we decided to do a quarterly review. We must miss work so much.
Ziploc:
- Favorite piece of gear: sleeping pad
- Favorite place/part of trail: Carvers Gap to 19E
- Least favorite place or part of trail: Newfound Gap in the Smokies, tourist trap
- Favorite trail meal or snack: Reese pieces
- Memorable moment: getting back in trail after ankle injury
- Something you miss the most from normal life (vs hiker life): familiar faces
- Favorite piece of gear: sleeping bag, it's heavenly
- Favorite place or part of trail: Charlie's Bunion & ridge walking in the Smokies
- Least favorite place or part of trail: pastures
- Favorite trail meal or snack: Ramen Bomb with jerky and jalapeños
- Memorable moment: Garden House w friends in Hot Springs and crossing the first 100 Mike marker
- Something you miss the most from normal life (vs hiker life): chairs
5/20/17
- Miles hiked: 13.2
- Shelter: tent on the ridge near Burkes Garden
We did some hiking and thinking today.
We hiked past a pretty awesome shelter where a hiker brought brats and party lights. It would have been fun but we didn't stay.
We hiked up and around Burkes Garden, VA. A bowl-shaped valley carved out of the top of a mountain made for a pretty amazing view, too bad the clouds were rolling in. Google it to see some truly amazing photos. Otherwise here is mine.
There is a whole town down there, surrounded by mountains.
I turned off the audiobooks and thought for a little while today. I think about a billion things while hiking but mostly today I thought about our hike. Choosing to complete a thru-hike is a very selfish act. I know people can hike to raise awareness or hike to raise money for a great cause but before all that... they are hiking in pursuit of a goal they set for themselves. A goal that will require a journey which not only demands everything they have but also demands so much from family and friends.
Sometimes it's hard for me to wrap my mind how completely and totally selfish this is. We wont be there to show our love and support to those friends and family who need it in the next six months because we are out doing this other thing we chose to do instead. We won't be there for birthdays, anniversaries, doctor appts, vet visits (for our fur babies), and we wont be there when we are needed for hugs. It's selfish. It's the choice we have made and we will complete this thru-hike to make it worth it.
Sorry to get heavy on you. Love you all.
I never really thought about it in those terms, but Betsy, you're right. It is a selfish endeavor.... but that's okay, too. We all do things for selfish reasons.... even when we help and serve others, we benefit by getting "that good feeling". I totally support what you and Russ are doing. You're creating memories that will be with you and that you can share the rest of your lives. I applaud your decision to thru-hike the AT. I can't wait to hear the rest of your story....... Love you both, Jay :)
ReplyDeleteok, Hot Sauce and Ziploc, please do not think you are being selfish for hiking this Trail. You are doing all of us a HUGE favor by sharing your journey and thoughts with the rest of us who have the same dream. Never once would we think you are being selfish. We love you for what you are accomplishing and who you are. Keep Going! Barb
ReplyDeleteI agree with Barb; thanks for sharing your journey. I will never get to see most of the places in person that I am able to see via your photos, and I'll never experience the hike except through your eyes and words. You are educating and entertaining me!
ReplyDelete