Notes from the trail- a quick update.
Hello world!
It’s been a few weeks since I’ve blogged and on the trail, weeks can feel like years. There is simply so much packed into a day out here-so much new, so much unknown, so much sensory stimulation, that it has been hard for me to take my thoughts and concisely fit them into a blog post without feeling rushed or ineloquent.
I have officially been on the trail for one month. A few highlights I for sure want to remember are:
1. Being on the trail for one month and hitting my first 20 mile day!!! By the way…hiking twenty miles in one day hurts like hell.
2. Getting through the Smokies. We had rain, sun, snow, freezing temperatures and life-threatening winds. The Smokies surely lived up to their reputation.
3. Getting evacuated from the Smokies because of falling trees and high winds and spending two unexpected but fun days in Gatlinburg.
4. Deep and meaningful conversations with fellow hikers- beautiful and raw connection that is only strengthened by being in the middle of the woods and choosing the same path.
5. Non-attachment: This is something that has come up endlessly throughout my hike. It is essential to understand while hiking the Appalachian Trail that I am no longer in control. I have to remember to be fluid and practice letting go of plans like hitting a certain number of miles, staying with a group of people, waking up at a certain time, because something around the corner can throw your plans off course and the only way to get through that is by accepting the change. I constantly repeat in my head “wherever I am is exactly where I am supposed to be.”
6. I saw a bear and a rattlesnake in the same day! Both let me live.
Ok. I’m in a public library that is about to close. Once again, I typed this in about five minutes and am hoping it doesn’t have too many spelling errors and unstructured thought. Much like the mantra “wherever I am is exactly where I am meant to be,” I am trying to remind myself “whatever I blog is exactly what I’m supposed to blog.”
More to come soon.
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