Today is Tuesday April 1st, day 20 of my hike. Yesterday, after finishing at the coin laundry and picking up a care package from Mom and Dad at the Franklin NC post office, my friends pulled me into my second "zero day." My leg is still pretty tender after battling shin splints for the past 10 days, so it was probably smart to rest it.
I fully expected to be much further along by now. But I have to remind myself that I have no deadlines except to summit Mt. Katahdin, Maine by October 15th, the day it is closed for the season. Former successful thru-hikers will advise us to take it easy the first few weeks until we get our "trail legs."
Yesterday's, I met Isaac, a hiker from Portland, Oregon. He started a full week before me but has come off the trail twice after rolling his ankle. He was ready to quit and get a flight home. But the rule on the trail is, never make the decision to throw in the towel when it's a bad day. After a couple days in town and words of encouragement from fellow hikers, he told us last night at a Mexican restaurant that he is ready to give it another shot. His travel mates are now well ahead of him, but it doesn't matter. There is no easier place to make friends than here on the trail, where everyone is battling the same obstacles.
When I start back at Rock Gap today, my crew will be dropped off about 20 miles behind me after coming off on Friday to meet family and significant others who had traveled to Franklin. They have assured me they will catch up, but it will feel strange going at it without the rest of the "Highway Shrimp," as we've come to be known.
There have been many great times with so many new friends. The hiking has kind of been secondary. But it might be time to pick up the pace and get more focused. We'll see what happens.
Cheers!
"Fitty Shrimp"
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