TRAIL DAY 2 (CONT)
Kind of. I found it fascinating to experience what happened when I closed my eyes – the brain was relieved of an incredible amount. And, surely, that part of the brain so taken up with storing visual data (remember “my whole life”?) – each blade of grass, each leaf, each rock or pebble, a little flower, dirt, insects, frogs, toads, birds, deer, bears, all animals, colors, shades of color, shadow, movement – is relieved of that load – is at ease – at rest – asleep!
This was so profoundly true that when I opened my eyes I would have to reacquaint myself with my surroundings and the terrain ahead. It would take me a moment to get reoriented and proceed on my way.
And all of this in 30 seconds or less.
I had described this wonderful phenomenon to the three hikers I met on Springer Mountain and weeks later I saw them again “down the way.” While chatting, Cheetah was resting in the same manner I use and I exclaimed, “That’s just what I do!” She replied, “You taught it to me.” How satisfying it is to think that I helped her on her way – from Georgia to Maine. The 2016 AT Yearbook has her picture on Katahdin – well before I made it for sure.
Well, enough about resting. Let’s get on our way.
Before taking that first step on the 2,189.1-mile trail, Jelly Ankles and I discussed a tiny GoPro camera she was using which she could fasten with a clip to her chest strap I think. It was about a 1.5-inch cube and orange. I liked the size and weight and ability. I would research when next in town with a web connection.
I left Springer summit after about 20 minutes and took my first step – we took our first steps – on the Appalachian Trail.
Again, no big fanfare – just doin’ it. Rain? Just keep doin’ it. . . .
I have no independent recall whatever about those first AT miles. I know only that the AT was a brown-dirt path through a forest of fallen, light-tan leaves and barren grey trees. There were endless, long switchbacks in the south so I recall zig-zaging for mile after mile, most likely even on that first day.
I was impressed with a spiny, lime-green fungus lying on the ground. It became commonplace but always beautiful in its own way whenever encountered. I probably have 20 or more pictures of it.
I remember an encounter back at mile 8.1 where the trail passed a (0.2W) turnoff for Hawk Mountain Shelter. Coming from the shelter, as I passed on the AT, was “Minute-Man” and his 68-year-old grandfather, Bill. Minute Man said his grandfather was thru-hiking the AT with him. I admired both for their undertaking and made a mental note that I didn’t think Bill looked in suitable shape for the undertaking.
Oh, yes, and the rain continued throughout the day as we covered nearly 11 miles from our first-night shelter to just beyond Hightower Gap, about 9 miles from the Springer summit. Theo and I were alone in the woods as we would be 99.9% of the time. At 74 and 56 (human years), we were not going to be the fastest hikers on the AT in 2016. There would be sufficient company down the way at shelters and hostels but the peace and quiet with each other and Mother Nature was a great blessing.
We would camp by ourselves, in the rain, cozy in our tent and all was well.
Day #2 Black Gap Shelter > Hightower Gap 10.9 miles