OmPi's Adventures

No plans and no rush. The day started lazily as I spent a few hours relaxing in my hammock and catching up on blogs and postings, benefit of a campsite with 4G. I finally got going and 3/4 of the camp had cleared out. I talked with the last few stragglers as I packed my camp and prepared my day of food.

I had no plans or goals today and said I would just walk until I was tired. The beginning days hike was enjoyable apparently the easiest 4 miles in GA. I hike with Storm and Trooper for a bit, she got her name as she was basically crawling into camp one day not giving up and someone said to her, you're a trooper. I don't know the story of storms name but I do know that someone from his college heard of his hike and called him up. His friend shared with him the a story of how his friends grandfather had hiked a few miles of the trail in the NE and planned to do the whole thing when he was diagnosed with cancer and had died 2 years later. He asked if Storm would leave his grand father's walking stick on Spring Mountain in hopes that someone would take it to ME and leave it on Katahdin. So he has been carrying that wooden hiking stick the last 50+ miles.

This is the trail community, sure we can stink, eat like crap, and be a little rough but as a whole it is one of love and devotion. Strangely enough this became my walking meditation today. While at Blue Mountain shelter this afternoon I got word that there was Trail Magic on the form of bugers and soda down the mountain in Unicoi Gap which was 2 miles away at an elevation drop of 1000 feet... Needless to say those may have been my quickest miles of the day but all along the way I reflected on the immense love that trail angels embody. They take time out of their own lives to help others they don't know and will probably never see again with zero expectations. This is the meaning of Love!

After a double bunned sausage bacon hotdog with mayo, mustard and ketchup, some good conversations and an IPA that may have tasted better than any beer I have ever I had to leave. Before I did I asked the former thru hikers what they would do different in their hike. One said they would make a better account through journaling or blogging, the young lady said she would take a multi vitamin as she came off the trail highly anemic nearly needing a blood transfusion. The other guy who had blogged the whole way said he wouldn't change a thing.

The following miles were tough but with a full belly and renewed spirits I pushed on. Though I made no plans I knew I wanted to at least break up the crazy elevation shift near the end of the day. I managed to not only break it up but pushed on past it. Though I hobbled into camp just minutes before sunset I had hiked over 15 miles with almost 5800 feet of elevation change. It was an intense day and I am able to put Tray Mountain behind me. Another mountain conquered, another journey had and a day lived.

Much love to all. I look forward to hearing from you.

OmPi ( ॐ π )