We woke up expecting snow. I heard a scraping sound and being from Michigan, I wondered if it was a shovel. It was not. Remember the leftover pizza? The crows got into Sam’s styrofoam container and took off with a piece. Styrofoam and pizza crust was shredded all over the porch. That would put off most people from finishing their leftovers. Not a thru-hiker. Sam grabbed the rest and ate his “crow pizza” for breakfast. Ben and I headed for the hotel’s all-you-can-eat buffet and Sam left to grab the shuttle back to the trail. As Ben and I walked stiffly to the hotel, we were glad to have a full zero day ahead of us.
I spent much of today on a couch in the lobby updating the site. Ben did other chores to prepare us for tomorrow. He sent forward our extra food. He dried out the tent. He also organized our food bag. Around dinner we were finally caught up.
Proof in the lobby of the hotel that there are wild hogs out here. I could have done without seeing this mount.
Our friends arrived at the lodge. We weren’t sure if we would see them and were glad when we did! GQ was the first. Afterwards Kyle, Brock, and Jordan followed. While the later 3 were showering and doing laundry, we got to chat with GQ a bit. We talked about home, our going away parties, and lots of other things. As is the normal, we talked about our motivations for hiking the trail. GQ said something like, “I mean, obviously I like my life, it’s the one I chose.” It exactly mirrored how I feel. I love my life. I love being a photographer and Ben loves being an engineer. We just wanted to make sure we don’t get too lost in the busyness of life before we lost the opportunity to do this amazing thing.
After chatting we left for dinner. Ben and I sat with a guy, Stump Knocker. So named because his toe always seems to find the stumps in the trail. Stump Knocker has hiked the AT 8 times. He’s hiked other long trails and has done long biking adventures too. He’s probably twice our age. We met him several days back and have seen him now and then since. He lost his wife in 2001 to cancer. Prior to her passing, she asked, “What will you do after I am gone?” He thought and then answered, “I think I’d like to hike the Appalachian Trail.” He has an incredible story about an afternoon with his wife on the trail – that particular point of the 2k+ miles now being his favorite spot to visit. However, it’s his story to tell and cherish. Out of respect for him, I’ll let him choose who he shares it with. Ben and I were first inspired by his accomplishments. Then, as we had a chance to hear more, we became extremely moved by his motivation. He said that he likes to walk. I imagine him hiking the AT, encouraged by the memory of his late wife. We have a short time with the people that we love, meeting him was a reminder to soak in every moment of it.
After dinner we went back to make calls and then to the room to prepare for tomorrow. We ended the night with a treat – watching the end of the movie 3:10 to Yuma.
These couple of days in civilization have been bittersweet. We loved having the time off and the chance to rejuvenate. However, in these last 2 days, we saw 2 people from our bubble of hikers get off of the trail. They had to due to injuries, but it’s still hard to see. I said to Ben and GQ, “I feel like we are the ducks in a carnival game. You know, the one where you slowly move along and people shoot at. The duck that gets hit flops over.” At anytime we could be hit with a bb. It could happen in just an instant. A wrong step and you severely sprain and ankle. Some have torn muscles, others have broken bones or gotten infections. I pray we are the ducks that make it all the way across, left standing at the end.
– ansel