I recently walked a few miles with Silas along the Appalachian Trail in New York State. After spending several nights in a hammock, eating ramen noodles and oatmeal every day and carrying a 30 pound pack up and down rocky trails, I have a whole new level of respect for Silas.
It was a great experience and I met a lot of interesting folks. One of the most unique aspects of traveling the Appalachian Trail is the number of international hikers that you get to know. One particular morning as I was eating breakfast with a few Thru-hikers I asked each of them to tell me where they were from. One of the young ladies was from Australia, a tall, lanky, bearded kid was from Holland, there was a young couple from Germany, an older lady from England, and the rest were from various parts of the USA.
We swapped trail stories and joked about each others accents as we finished packing up. one by one hikers drifted out of camp and onto the trail. I never saw more than two people hiking together. The "walk" seems to be a very individual thing. Silas and I would chat some as we hiked, but most of our conversation took place as we rested along the way. Silas did like to sing as he hiked, which scared the bears off, I suppose.
Silas and I rendezvous at a gas station along the Trail.
After some Pizza, I am ready to hit the trail...... or so I thought.
My home for a few days. Dry and cozy.
The daily task of setting up and taking down camp was complex for me. I was amazed at how quickly Silas would drop his pack and have his hammock strung up. I guess after you've done it dozens of times in all kinds of conditions it becomes second nature. It was not natural and quick for me.
This was my typical experience;
I locate a couple of trees spaced just right to allow for a comfortable nights sleep. After much thought and weather updates on my phone, I decide not to hang my rain fly. After dark I hop into the hammock and hear several small limbs crack and fall to the ground. I then notice one of the "perfect" trees I am suspended between has several large dead limbs above me. I take down my hammock and go searching in the dark for a new spot to hang.
At long last I am moved and settled into my bed for the night. There is a welcome cool breeze blowing through the trees and gently rocking me to sleep...... then the rain starts.
I scramble out of my hammock and start digging through my pack to get my rain fly. In the dark, I string up the fly and tie everything down tight. I crawl back into my hammock, now damp from rain and sweat, but fully protected from any storm mother nature can throw my way. The rain fly blocks any breeze and it is hot but at least I'll be dry....... the rain stops for the night.
Wild Wine-berries.
Very Delicious.
It is amazing how good wild berries can taste when you are living on granola, ramen and oatmeal. There are large thickets of wild berries growing along the trail. The hikers graze on these as they pass by. Another unexpected "Food" treat along the trail was a farmers market in the village of Pawling New York.
I filled a bag with fresh peaches, blackberries, plums and apricots. The folks were so friendly and enjoyed filling me in on the history of the area and pointed me in the direction of Vinny's Deli. Vinny is famous for many things, one of which is his signature Steak and Mozzarella cheese Margarita Sandwich. Vinny promised it would be an epic sandwich experience for me..... he was right!
Vinny. A Deli Jedi
As you can probably tell, I had a great time hiking and eating with Silas for a few days. The walking was tough and I must admit miserable at times. I now understand why Silas responds the way he does when I ask him how the hike is going. "I hate it, but it's great"! The journey is a mixture of joy, misery, pain, excitement, panic, peace, loneliness, fun, friendships, sorrow, exhaustion, fear, happiness and so much more! It is much like life itself. I am glad Silas let me slow him down for a few days and he even chose to sing songs along the trail that I knew the words to.
Onward! Silas! Katahdin is less than 700 miles away!
This was my typical experience;
I locate a couple of trees spaced just right to allow for a comfortable nights sleep. After much thought and weather updates on my phone, I decide not to hang my rain fly. After dark I hop into the hammock and hear several small limbs crack and fall to the ground. I then notice one of the "perfect" trees I am suspended between has several large dead limbs above me. I take down my hammock and go searching in the dark for a new spot to hang.
At long last I am moved and settled into my bed for the night. There is a welcome cool breeze blowing through the trees and gently rocking me to sleep...... then the rain starts.
I scramble out of my hammock and start digging through my pack to get my rain fly. In the dark, I string up the fly and tie everything down tight. I crawl back into my hammock, now damp from rain and sweat, but fully protected from any storm mother nature can throw my way. The rain fly blocks any breeze and it is hot but at least I'll be dry....... the rain stops for the night.
It is amazing how good wild berries can taste when you are living on granola, ramen and oatmeal. There are large thickets of wild berries growing along the trail. The hikers graze on these as they pass by. Another unexpected "Food" treat along the trail was a farmers market in the village of Pawling New York.
I filled a bag with fresh peaches, blackberries, plums and apricots. The folks were so friendly and enjoyed filling me in on the history of the area and pointed me in the direction of Vinny's Deli. Vinny is famous for many things, one of which is his signature Steak and Mozzarella cheese Margarita Sandwich. Vinny promised it would be an epic sandwich experience for me..... he was right!
As you can probably tell, I had a great time hiking and eating with Silas for a few days. The walking was tough and I must admit miserable at times. I now understand why Silas responds the way he does when I ask him how the hike is going. "I hate it, but it's great"! The journey is a mixture of joy, misery, pain, excitement, panic, peace, loneliness, fun, friendships, sorrow, exhaustion, fear, happiness and so much more! It is much like life itself. I am glad Silas let me slow him down for a few days and he even chose to sing songs along the trail that I knew the words to.
Onward! Silas! Katahdin is less than 700 miles away!
