Tuesday, March 16, 2010
I'm Awake
It is 2:50 in the morning before I leave, and I am wide awake. I actually feel asleep on the couch watching television 3.5 hours ago. From there I made it upstairs to my bed and shut my eyes. Then the craziness began. My mind started racing. What do I not have? Am I going to forget something? Am I prepared for this? Am I going to make it the whole way? What the heck have I gotten myself into? The questions kept coming. After a few minutes of this nonsense I decided to go back downstairs to send some emails. I knocked those out and then figured, why not set up my new tent? I might as well make sure I know how to set it up and know that all the parts are in there. Tent up, tent down. Now what do I do? Next was my water filter. I got it out and made sure I knew how it worked and made sure I remembered how to backflush it. It is not like I had done this 100 times before. Yep, still remember how to do all that. Next came all my other stuff. I unpacked my bag and went through the checklist of all my stuff. Check, check and check. Even if I don't have it, I probably don't need it. The less weight the better. More than likely, I'll get 30 miles in and want to mail items back home. I guess we will see.
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Brian:
ReplyDeleteGood luck my man. Don't know if you are starting at the head or the tail. I would recommend the tail in most cases. Saw a golden eagle soar once on Andrew's Bald. Could see Fontana Dam in the distance. Remember it well. Just like Columbus in the olden days, we may never pass this way again. Be alert to the sounds and smells. Wish I could go with you, but time passed me by. You'll just have to put on the jersey and carry on for guys like me. Dos Equis doesn't mean beer in my case. It means XXL. Keep your eyes on the trail, but "look away" every chance you get.
Last year about this time I gave a young girl and some friends a ride from the Trail at Newfound Gap down to Gatlinburg. They were very appreciative and said the experience was awesome. Wish you could see the firs and hemlocks like they looked 40 years ago. Keep your nose in the wind and don't forget what got you where you are. Remember thou thy Creator in the days of thy youth.
ReplyDeleteHope you meet many friends on the Trail. I guess everybody is pretty much equal out there after a few weeks. Nature is the great equalizer, as I'm sure you know. And, Jeremiah, when you do meet folks along the way and share your spit as they say, try to meet them square and on the level. And if you see a brother in distress, answer for him. For he has it not, but you'll have it for him. So mote it be. Yours in ZAX. Marvin
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