Date- Saturday 5/21/05
Start- Erwin, TN
Stop- Erwin, TN
Miles Travelled- 0
While I've done one or two short days since I restarted, I believe this is the first 0 mile day in a while.
In looking back over prevlous entries I fear I may have painted an overly grim picture of long distance hiking. It has its light side and many enjoyable moments. I don't know why I don't mention these more. Perhaps its because they are so commonplace that only the bad times stand out.
Long distance hiking is physically demanding and punishing. On the other hand, it is mentally, emotionally, and spiritually healing.
I see evidence of this healing in the shelter registers. Two months ago entries were brief and factual. "Gray Ghost arrived last night and left this morning", would be a typical early Georgia entry from most hikers. Now entries may be a page or two in length and are festooned with drawings and poetry. It's as if creativity is reawakening or perhaps hikers are losing their fear of letting it show.
What you are now matters more than what you have. In Georgia, a lot of mental energy was focused on equipment. Hikers were comparing their stuff with other's stuff and wholesale gear changes were made at the Walasi-Yi. Most hikers are now beyond that and no longer even cares what another has. With that issue behind them, hikers are focusing more on each other as people. I probably know more about people I meet here than I do people back home.
When 2 hikers meet or pass each other for the first time they introduce themselves and exchange a greeting. I rarely see this acknowledgement of another human being on Louisville streets.
Of course there's the health benefit. I'm sure the low fat diet, reduced calories, fresh air, pure water, and regular exercise are adding years to our lives.