| May 26 Canyou Canoe? Paul called from Front Royal, Virginia this morning. At a time on the AT when Paul is seeing thru-hiker's spirits sputter out, Paul's dynamic perspective of his journey seems to be coming into focus. Many hikers are dropping off the trail, and others can't stop complaining with each rainy day or newly formed ache. Paul's spirits seem to be remarkably high however. Paul has met up with some new companions since getting back on the AT last Monday afternoon, along with a couple of guys he met way back at Goose Creek Cabins in Georgia, Zach and Cy. Cy is a bit bummed out however, as his partner Zach dropped off the trail Thursday, and was heading back to his home in Georgia, leaving Cy on his own. Then there is Hot Sauce and Non-Existant, a couple who are students at Humbolt College in northern California. Paul has also been hiking with three girls, Skeletor, Pocohontas, and Sky. Skeletor is from Maine, and Pocohantas is from Michigan. Paul also spoke of Sleeper and Wake, a really fast hiker who has also been hiking in this group. Paul expressed much gratitute to have met up with these hikers. They heve been planning on doing a canoe trip from Front Royal, VA to Harpers Ferry, WV on the Shenandoah River during this Memorial Day weekend, and asked Paul to join them. At first this seemed like it may be a tough descision, because Paul would have to bust ass to reach Front Royal in time to join them today, but it was this specific descision that opened Paul's eyes in the realization that he was there to have fun. So Paul made what ended up being an easy descision to get a ride for 18.1 miles and skip a section of the AT for the first time. This sacraficial portion of the trail will come with the reward of hanging out with some really cool people for a few days and enjoying the efficiency of canoe camping. This means they can bring coolers, and that means, beers and lots of food. This group will be renting 5 canoes from an outfitter in Front Royal, and Paul intends on getting a ride back with the outfitters when they reach Harpers Ferry. Paul will then hike the miles that he paddled down on the AT from Front Royal to Harpers Ferry. Paul hiked a new personal high 25.9 miles one day last week. He spent Monday night at Calf Mountain Shelter, Tuesday at Pine Field Hut, Wednesday at Bear Fence Mountain Hut, and Thursday at Skyland. Skyland has a retaurant and cabins. Some hikers that Paul as hiking with had a friend who works at Skyland, so he smuggled them into his cabin for the night, and they "stealthed", a term used because it is frowned upon by the owners of Skyland (hope they are not reading this). Then Paul wouldof had to hike 35 miles in one day to reach Front Royal by friday night. This is where Paul got a ride 18 miles to Elk Wallow Gap, and hiked 16 miles instead, to reach Tom Floyd Wayside. Another trail term I learned from Paul is "Yogi-ing". This is when a thru-hiker acquires something from a tourist on the trail. I assume it is a mutual transaction, no sneaking upon coolers in the night. Paul plans to call again when he gets back to Front Royal, probably Monday night. He is enjoying himself as much as possible. He is hearing nightmare stories about upcoming Pennsylvania, but shows no sign of stopping. Paul has endured some crazy lightning storms last week. He said he was shell shocked at one point when there was no time differential between flash and boom. A couple times he even covered his arms over his head. He is happy to be back on the trail, and feels bad for the thru-hikers who are feeling down, but is personally harnessing the positive vibes that mother nature is feeding. Happy Memorial Day! Todd |
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