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Sunday, July 16, 2006
This morning after eating breakfast I talked to one of the guests about what I was doing. She is an Art Therapist and her husband a writer. She introduced me to her husband who interviewed me for the state paper; more proof there are no accidents. Sue came and got me and one of the first things we did was go shopping to get stuff for my feet and food. We had steak for dinner after soaking in her tub w/Epsom salts then just my feet which felt like someone beat them with a baseball bat.
Monday, July 17, 2006
I got new glasses (busted my old ones and was using dental floss to tie them to my head) washed my sleeping bag/ tent/ rain gear and re-worked all gear to make it better. Re-taped seams, re-did sleeping bag part, made the back pack wrap around more. Sue helped me make cards to hand out with the web site so people wouldn’t forget.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Took another zero day at Sue’s because my feet are still in pain. I realize that sometimes I get goal oriented and lose sight of the big picture. Originally my goal was Springer Mountain by Nov. 11th . Now I ask myself what was the purpose? And it is to bring attention to the Vets P.T.S.S. and how to correct it, so the date is not that important. The other thing I do is create this illusion that I am separate from the goal and process. When in fact I am part of it, for if I don’t maintain a good attitude and take care of me, there is a good chance I will be unsuccessful. How many times have I separated myself from groups, family, society, thinking I am separate because nobody understands me, like a kid living at home in a closet saying I’m not part of the family because I don’t use the bedroom.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Wrote and sent letters to The President and Chiefs of staff looking for their support. Put liquid skin on the cuts. Still on my feet and headed back to the trail smelling like a day hiker (clean with a hint of soap) I spent 3 days with my last wife who is very supportive; the marriage didn’t work because I had expectations that weren’t the same as hers. I figured she would change. I now know the only person I can change is me, and then I can show her a different reflection, of herself, anything else may be a manipulation or a trade off.
The cards are working well I gave a bunch out and they wanted them. I only walked 3 miles to Pond Shelter see how my feet would feel and take it easy.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Took a picture of a bench just before Mt. Bromley took a picture of a squirrel @ Danby. I did 18 miles today.
While taking my zero days I found out my Uncle Bob is dying of lung cancer, he decided to for go Kemo because he is too weak so they say he has 3-4 months tops. He is 80 yrs. old. He moved to Calif. When I was small, so I didn’t get to know him till I was in the U.S.M.C. stationed out there in CA. I visited, and he treated me like a son. After I left I only saw him a few times at family functions. Over 30 yrs. has gone by in which time I have thought I should call, write visit and have only written once called maybe twice. I called while off the trail, told him I still love him no matter what my father says about him (our family humor) and that I was sorry I didn’t stay in touch, he was sorry also, we both cried.
How many other people in my life do I take for granted and don’t ever call? How many things do I put off in my life because I think there is a tomorrow? I wonder what my Uncle would give for another day to hug his children, to tell his wife he loves her, to share a special moment with a friend. I don’t think he would spend it alone not doing something that did not give him Joy.
The more aware I become of how fleeting life is, the more deliberate I chose to be in my actions and words. Why do something that doesn’t give me Joy, and why say something that I wish I could take back. This will be a task for me, for there are so many things I have done and do without giving it a thought, auto pilot and become a victim of my ego or my past habits.
Friday, July 21, 2006
I did 18 miles, and have a bruise on my right heel that is slowing me down. I gave out cards to a lot of people. Right Side, Mummy Toes, Sanford, Lunch Box, Drifter, Lush, BP, Sumo.
BP works for Backpacker Magazine, he took some photos for the Mag. Mummy Toes got his name because his feet got so messed up (wearing boots) that his toes turned black and purple, the Doctor wrapped them up in gauze so they looked like mummies. The Doctor said it was the worst he had seen on a thru hiker (not a title I want)
There was one group of day hikers (smelt good, carried a bottle of avian water and had fanny packs on) who didn’t want my cards. They blew me off and said they would check it almost without breaking stride. I don’t know if it’s me, but they gave me an impression they felt they were better than me. I remember feeling I was better than someone else because I had money, wore some expensive clothes, was smarter etc. I wonder what makes anyone better than anyone else or if there is such a thing?
This encounter also brought up for me times when I said a lie to someone knowing I was lying because it was easier than saying No or the truth which I felt I would have to defend. The worst lies are to myself because it erodes my belief in myself then I lose a sense of who I am. Boy am I glad I ran into them!
Saturday, July 22, 2006
It rained most of the day, met a lot of day hikers, Sir Lancelot the Courageous, Grinder, Du pray, Salt, Snowman, Solo, Bob, Stumble, Rematch, Brave Friend, Don Quote, Irish, Sidewinder, and Brian me bald A_ _. In the shelters, there is a notebook where hikers can leave messages; Sir Lancelot a writer leaves what I call Cliff Clavin facts of the middle ages. It was during this time the custom for the bride throwing her garter started. At the wedding ceremony it seemed the guests would follow the couple home to watch and sometimes help tear their clothes off as souvenirs, so the brides began to take off their garters and throw it off into the crowd, as the crowd fought over it, the couple escaped. Sounds like one wild wedding!
We on the trail talk about trying to explain why we do it. Imagine my best friend comes to my house to talk to me in the living room while I am watching T.V.; I can’t hear what he has to say because the T.V. is so loud and I can’t turn it off. So what I do is go into another room, so I can hear him.
It rained hard, so I spent the night in Bennington, VT. I’m really enjoying clean sheets and a hot shower, and lots of food. It took me awhile to reach town, it seems not that many people pick up hitch hikers. I don’t know if it’s the people in this state or the fear factor that seems to permeate this country with everything or just apathy. They say down south it is easier to get rides, we’ll see.
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