Appalachian Trail 2017

Day 41, Mt. Rogers Visitors Center to Chatfield Shelter

Sunday, May 21, 2017

Since leaving Springer Mountain nearly two months ago, I have been intently focused on getting to one place or the next.

First it was to reach Davenport Gap so that I could take off for a week to attend a conference. Then it was to spend a weekend with Kim at Trail Days.

I had to keep moving. I couldn't let weather, trail conditions, or how I was feeling slow me down.

Today I told Kim I was ready to lift my foot off the gas pedal, at least just a bit. From now on, I reasoned, I don't have a tight schedule to meet. I can take it easy.

But honestly, I'm probably fooling myself to think that.

There are still more the 1600 miles ahead of me, and I need to walk them in four months. At my speed, that leaves little time for loafing.

Sunday, May 21, 2017

Weather	Rain most of the day
Trail Conditions	Rocks and/or roots for most of the trail
Today's Miles	6.8 miles
Trip Miles	539.4 miles

I plan to meet Kim again next Saturday when she drives up for Memorial Day weekend. I'm also hoping to see her again later, perhaps when I reach Harpers Ferry. Each of these visits will require me to arrive at some point on the trail at about the same time as she arrives.

So maybe taking my foot off the gas pedal won't be so practical. Still, there are a few things I can do to improve my chances of reaching Maine.

For one, I can work to improve my nutrition. My sense is I've been lacking energy lately because I haven't been getting enough calories. I want to do better with hydration and electrolytes, as well.

I'd also like to spend more time with other hikers. I have been moving at a pace that hasn't allowed much time for getting to know people and build relationships.

And if I can, I'd like to be a little more spontaneous. If an opportunity arises to go off trail to see a waterfall or go into a town with friends, I want to take time to do that.

More to the point, I want to improve my mental attitude. It would be untrue to say I've been unhappy, but I want to be happier. I want to enjoy this hike more.

By its nature this hike will never be like a vacation, but it should be less like a job.

I've met a lot of nice hikers, but they have tended to come and go. Perhaps it would help if I could make a friend or two to hike with for a longer period of time.

One step I took to reframe my attitude was to take my time this morning while heading back to the trail.

Kim and I were in no hurry. We decided to relax at the hotel before leaving late in the morning.

When we walked down to the lobby for breakfast we again ran into Real Estate and Mumbles McGee. They told us they were staying for another day.

Staying another day would be nice, but Kim needed to go back to work tomorrow. At least I will see her again in just a week.

Unfortunately for today, it began to rain just as we left the hotel. What's worse, from the forecast it looked like it would rain for much of the day.

After stopping for lunch we arrived back at the Mt. Rogers Visitor Center at 12:30 p.m. The rain had let up a bit, so Kim took my picture. Then we said our goodbyes, and like that my relaxing weekend was over.

The rain, which soon returned, didn't improve the melancholy I was feeling.

My spirits were lifted, though, when a short distance down the trail I came upon a large patch of rhododendron blossoms. There were hundreds of them.

The trail through this section was up and down, but not especially difficult.

When I stopped to drink some water and eat a snack, a couple hikers caught up to me. One was Uncle Puck. Although he had been at Trail Days, I hadn't seen him since our chance meeting in Erwin.

I had also seen the other hiker before, but didn't have an opportunity to get to know him. Uncle Puck introduced me to him. His trail name was Juan Gone.

Our conversation was cut short when the rain started to come down harder. We agreed we would be making it a short day, with the shelter coming up in only a few more miles.

With just a mile to go before reaching the shelter, I arrived at a sign saying there was a view here of Walker Mountain. This was no day for a view, so I kept walking.

By 4 p.m. I arrived at the shelter. The rain had let up again.

Uncle Puck and Juan Gone were already there when I arrived. So was another hiker.

Uncle Puck asked me if I knew Stick, but I had not met him before. He told me his full trail name was Stick in the Woods.

Almost immediately I thought it might be nice to make friends with Stick because he seemed to be reasonably close to my age.

Then I noticed something about him that gave me second thoughts. Stick liked to talk. He had a story to go with anything anyone said.

To be honest, I have trouble being around talkative people. It's not that I don't like to have conversations, but I don't much care to be with people who dominate the conversation.

The rain came back, and that was a good excuse to leave the conversation and crawl into my tent.

The sailor gave at least a try
the soldier being much too wise
strategy was his strength
and not disaster

The sailor, coming out again, the lady fairly leapt at him
That's how it stands today. You decide if he was wise
The story teller makes no choice, soon you will not hear his voice
His job is to shed light, and not to master

Since the end is never told we pay the teller off in gold
In hopes he will come back, but he cannot be bought or sold

From "Lady With A Fan/Terrapin Station Suite" by Robert Hunter and Jerry Garcia (Grateful Dead)

This trail report was published on December 26, 2017