Hiking the Good Hike

  For most thru hikers, injury, money, and time are the three top reasons for not completing the trail. From day one, Chris and I had decided that for us the only factor that could take us off the trail was injury. We've worked to save money specifically for this trip and managed to get time off from work so as to not have a pressing deadline. That being said, the fourth and sometimes forgotten factor is mental, be it low morale, motivation, depression, etc.

  When researching the AT, we'd read about hikers getting the Virginia Blues and dropping off the trail. During a thru hike, over 600+ miles are spent in Virginia making it difficult to check that particular state, out of fourteen states, off the list as done. For whatever reason, though, Virginia really didn't bother us; in fact, we kind of liked Virginia. Hiking with a collective, diverse group of ten probably didn't hurt. Sometimes we would all spread out and have solo time for a while. Other times we would all hike in a line like a big train going up the trail, talking about everything from upcoming food selections to human nature/responses under stress to making up six word stories. The pop tart grab bag was invented in Virginia and at night we had story time where Long Spoon would read The Princess Bride to us as we fell asleep. I can honestly say that I never once took ill with the Virginia Blues.

  Pennsylvania, however, has been a whole different story. Don't worry, we've never once considered getting off trail, even on our worst day. We're going to have a bad day every once in a while; we're still living--it's the AT, not Heaven. That being said, morale has been running a little low lately. We made it half way, we have a thousand miles under our belt, we should be happy, right? Well yeah, but now we've been hiking for a thousand miles and have to wake up every day, put our boots on, and hike some more. Hiking has kind of become our job; we're quite good at it, we now have the legs and the experience for it, so we're highly qualified. We also have no one to blame but ourselves if we're tired or sore or unhappy because this hike is completely self induced. No one is making us hike or stay out here; we can quit and go back to our old lives at any time, but we're not.

  Another big issue for us has been the weather. While in the beginning we dealt with a lot of snow and cold, now we deal with cold and rain, which can get a little depressing. Seriously, it rains like five out of every seven days out here. You've got to admit, that's a little excessive. Our friend Long Spoon says that happiness is solar powered and I must say, there is some truth to that statement. Speaking of our trail friends, Chris and I have had to adjust to hiking by ourselves again for the most part. Compared to our crazy group of ten, I'm much less entertaining, I assure you, so Chris has really had to settle. Actually though, it's been kind of nice with just the two of us again. Hitch hiking is easier with just two people, decisions are less complicated, and eating out is all around quicker. Don't get us wrong, we still miss our friends but now that we're over half way finished, those with deadlines have to speed up, there's new places to visit, family and friends to see and it's around this time that everyone has to start doing what's best for them--hike your own hike.

  Previous thru hikers have passed down their advise on the matter of the blues and quitting, 1) never quit on a rainy day 2) never quit on a bad day 3) hike five days and if you're still unhappy, then you can quit and 4) take some time off then try it again. There's probably more but that's all I can think of right now. As for Chris and I, we've turned over a new leaf. We've decided that it doesn't really matter how many miles we hike in a day or what our average mileage is or whether someone passes us--who cares. If we're not having fun then we shouldn't be out here. If it's pouring the rain and it's cold and nasty out, then let's take a day off, go into town, and order a pizza. This is our hike and we want to enjoy it, not be miserable or wish it away. Plus, we've never been this far north and we may never have this opportunity again so we've decided to make the most of it. For those that know me, I'm not spontaneous; I'm a planner, I'm frugal, and I'm indecisive. My time on the AT, though, is teaching me to live simply, to take life as it comes, to be prepared for the worst, to enjoy life at it's best, to graciously accept a gift when given, and above all, to remember that in all things, God is good. In the words of a fellow thru hiker, Freeman, written similarly in most registers, "Life is good, enjoy the jerny". And that's exactly what we plan to do :-)

Love and prayers always,

Wide Load

"Live in the sunshine. Swim in the sea. Drink the wild air."  Emerson

"Be still and know that I am God."  Psalm 46:10