Re: [at-l] thru-hikering attitude

[Slyinmd@aol.com]

>   I promised myself before I started that
>   I would faithfully keep a journal (which I did), and the last line of each
>   day's entry was what I called "TBTTHT" - "The Best Thing To Happen Today".
>>

I just happened to discover the AT and thru-hiking and never thought about a
journal, I never kept one in my life, why would I start.  During my planning
stages I found Trailplace still in construction.  Wingfoot had an idea of
sponsoring '97 journals for the 50th anniversary of the AT.  I thought it was
a great idea to keep my sister, nieces and friends informed of my progress.  I
contacted WF and agreed to do an online journal.   But shortly after my start
(300 miles) something happened, writing was taking too much time from my trail
experience and I happened to be in constant pain, writing about it wasn't
going to solve my problem and I didn't want to bore the masses or worry my
family.  I had to get my head on straight and that was by living the trail,
not writing about it for prosperity.  My memories serve me well.

I envy the person that can put out a good journal, weather online or not, but
in all honesty, I think they are missing something.  In their daily
reflections, they may lose the moment.  

A thru-hike can be an exceedingly long time, but any minutes self reflecting
and holing yourself up in the corner of a shelter writing, appears contrary to
me.  I was amazed at the number of hikers cozy in their sleeping bags,
writing.

I know this is a weird post, but my feelings are, any minutes that you have
living on the trail should be just that, the future memories will always be
there.

Check out the sourounding area, collect fire wood, find rocks, watch ants,
inch worms, birds, animals, explore!

Way over my normal, limited post,  Sly
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