Day # 23 - AT Hike

Saturday, April 4th - Day #23 - AT Hike

Miles Hiked Today - 0
Total Miles Hiked on AT - 253.4/2,193 (11.5%)

2nd Zero of trip

Stayed at Mountain Inn & Suites Hotel in Erwin, TN

Total States Completed - 1/14

Coming to you live from my warm bed at the Mountain Inn & Suites in Erwin, TN.  I just want to say ‘THANK YOU’ to everyone I’ve spoken with and who reached out to me today. It REALLY means a lot to me. I’m very thankful to have great friends and family. I think I mentioned this the other day - even though I’m more reserved and introverted at heart - I really gain energy and spirit from my interactions with others.  This journey on the AT is a learning experience each and every day.  But one of the things I need to make sure I always do is stay connected with those around me, not become isolated — because it’s very clear how important people are in my life

It’s crazy - it’s now 10pm- time has been flying today.  It’s been a restful, relaxing day for me. I did all my laundry here at the hotel and then walked about 1-1/2 miles into town to get my resupply needs.  So - who would have thought that my biggest need at this point would be HAND SANITIZER.  It’s nowhere to be found. I’ve been researching a bit on alternatives. So - I’ve decided to buy some baby wipes and some Lysol disinfectant spray. I took 40 separate baby wipes and sprayed each one thoroughly with the disinfectant. I then placed these in ziplock baggies.  This will be my hand sanitizer for the foreseeable future. (I still have about 1/4 bottle of sanitizer left - should last a few more days). I really need to keep the sanitizer I have for removing and putting in my contacts. Not so sure I should use the Lysol wipes before touching the eyes

I’ve spent a couple hours today laying out a plan for the next 130 miles - until I get into Damascus, VA at Mile #470. (I’m at 344 now). 9 days is the goal. After 4 days - I’ll get to Roan Mountain, TN - where I have a hotel for the night.  I’m only going to sleep overnight - no day off or anything.  Then - a 5 day push to Damascus. I’ll plan to take another Zero there - where I’ll create a strategy for the next push. I’ve already reserved a hotel in Damascus.

I was walking to the store today and my mind started wondering. This journey is intimidating at times - so much to deal with (the athleticism it takes to hike each day, the recovery required to be consistent, the logistics of making it all happen, and then the mental fortitude to keep it going).  Sometimes I think of things to keep me inspired.  Did you ever see the movie:  “Taken” with Liam Neeson. Remember when he talks to the kidnappers at the beginning of the movie:  “I don’t know who you are. I don’t know what you want. If you’re looking for ransom - I can tell you I don’t have money....but what I do have are a very particular set of skills. Skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you”.  OK - now let’s change that up with me talking to the AT Trail:  “I don’t know what you are, I don’t know what’s it’s going to take to complete this journey. If you’re looking for a great camper - I can tell you that I don’t have that attribute... but what I do have are a very particular set of skills (Eagle Scout, 58 marathons, hiked Kilimanjaro, Inca Trail, fourteeners, traveled 45 countries over a period of 287 days largely by myself).  Skills I have acquired over my lifetime. Skills that make me more than capable of conquering you”. —— Sometimes I just have to fire myself up.  Just tell myself I’m good enough to do whatever it is I’m trying to do

Anyway - I’ve been really focused on Covid-19 and how it has effected the AT Trail and my social responsibility for continuing my hike.  It’s been eating at me.  “Am I a bad person to continue”.  “Am I loosing the respect of people because I’m not pulling myself from the trail”. ——— To digress a minute - the one thing I have failed to accomplish that I attempted in my life was when I failed to make it to the summit of Mt Rainer several years back. I attempted this with 3 of my buddies and we went with a tour group. I had run a marathon in Missoula, Montana the week before and drove to Washington after that.  As we were attempting the final climb (still 2,000’ from the summit) - I was crashing.  My legs were hurting badly and I couldn’t keep the fast pace the tour guide expected. (To this day I don’t know why we were going so fast). Anyway - the lady kept saying to me:  “You gotta pick it up. You’re compromising the safety of this team. Your compromising the safety of this team. You have to turn around if you can’t go faster”. Well - I couldn’t go faster and ended up turning around to not compromise the safety of my friends and those on the hike. ———-  OK - let’s fast forward to today. These same thoughts have been going through my mind for the past week.  “Am I compromising the safety of the general public by being on this trail?  Well - after careful thought and many hours of contemplation — the answer I came up with is NO. If I got off the trail today - the life I would be living would actually be more potentially harmful to society that what I’m doing now. I know some may think otherwise - but I truly feel like I’m following the guidelines set forth at this time. It’s a tough decision - but I’m continuing on with my journey. Who knows what’s in store in the days ahead - but my decision to continue is not something I’ve taken lightly or brushed off. I hope you can respect me for this.

Well - I’ve been meaning to elaborate on why I’ve been having trouble sleeping.  Sometimes it takes me a while to think things through - but I’m always, always trying to do the right thing for the situation presented.  I’m excited to get it rolling again tomorrow. My Tramily is across town - they’re starting back up tomorrow as well.

Here’s to good health and good times.   Drift off to sleep tonight to Patti Page “I was dancing — with my darling — to the Tennessee Waltz ————-

All this stuff has to fit in my bag in the morning

My dinner - pizza & Doritos