Day 39. Today’s miles: 19. Total miles: 457. 2.

May 2nd, page 48. Abingdon Gap Shelter. 

Still camping and hiking at 4000′, so the day started cold, in the low 40’s.  Getting out of my hammock is tough! Putting on cold hiking clothes and shoes is tougher! We move fast to stay warm, pack up our gear, and start walking in about 30 minutes. 

The scenery is beginning to change.  Yesterday was many miles of ridge walking, a steady process of many ups and downs.  Today changed into woods and meadows, with beautiful rolling terrain.  

Tomorrow: Damascus, VA, the Mecca of Appalachian Trail hiking.  A small town, it has three outfitters and several hostels.  Most hikers spend a day or two to take in the town where hikers rule.  The AT, in fact, passes through the center of this mile long town.

Day 39. Today’s miles: 19. Total miles: 457. 2.

May 2nd, page 48. Abingdon Gap Shelter. 

Still camping and hiking at 4000′, so the day started cold, in the low 40’s.  Getting out of my hammock is tough! Putting on cold hiking clothes and shoes is tougher! We move fast to stay warm, pack up our gear, and start walking in about 30 minutes. 

The scenery is beginning to change.  Yesterday was many miles of ridge walking, a steady process of many ups and downs.  Today changed into woods and meadows, with beautiful rolling terrain.  

Tomorrow: Damascus, VA, the Mecca of Appalachian Trail hiking.  A small town, it has three outfitters and several hostels.  Most hikers spend a day or two to take in the town where hikers rule.  The AT, in fact, passes through the center of this mile long town.

Slackpack? What is slackpacking? Simply defined, it is hiking a section of a trail without a fully loaded backpack. It gives you the option to carry only what you need for a typical day hike.

How did this come up? Last week, we had a long day hiking and just made it to a hostel before the rain started.  The forecast for the next day was rain and storms all day, so we decided not to waste the day. Rather than fighting the weather, we elected to “slackpack”. For $10, the hostel shuttled our packs to the next hostel, and we just had to hike there. 25+ miles!!!

The day started with rain, but an hour in it stopped. The rest of the day was great. Probably the best day of hiking so far, as all I carried was food and water. What energy we had without 25 pounds on our back!

So, I hiked from 7:30 until 5 pm, and ended at a family run resort, Black Bear Hostel. To reward ourselves for two days of hiking, we took a zero.  Nice!

Serendipity means a “fortuitous happenstance” or “pleasant surprise”. 

Being on a hike now for over a month, I’ve had lots of time to think.  One thing that keeps popping up are the many times that I want something or need something, and it JUST HAPPENS!

Serendipity. Does it exist? Is it magic? Just coincidence? Can it be explained?

I am keeping track of these events, and I find that they take place more frequently than I thought.  Normally, we are distracted by life, get a small surprise, but soon forget the pleasant experience. 

Recently, I’ve had both physical and emotional events.  My first was a couple of days into my hike.  I ran out of water, looked at my map, and there was no water source for at least a couple of hours.  Not good.  Well, a short prayer later, I came across an Army “water buffalo”, a large vehicle left on our path full of potable water! 

My most recent event was just a couple of days ago.  I was hot and tired.  It was afternoon. I looked up to see the biggest climb of the day, and (go figure), I started feeling sorry for myself.  Why am I doing this?! Is it worth it?

I started the climb.  Halfway up, a friendly voice says “Hi, Curious George.  Great job! You’re really doing great on this hill!” Unusual complement at the perfect time…

And, it happened again near the top, from a total stranger… Great reinforcement!

Both events were perfectly timed, and filled me with surprise and a little bit of awe.  Was it also a spiritual event? That’s up to you to decide, but since March 25th, I’ve asked many times, and I have received!

So, let me suggest that you take a little time during your busy life, and pay attention to things that put a smile on your face.  A complement, parking space, a baby’s smile, a wink from a dapper gentleman (or woman!) – things that come at just the right time, and brighten your day, or CHANGE YOUR LIFE!

I’ve started my list; do you have yours?