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"…the girl working there recognized me from the "News & Neighbor!"
By Dustin Jackson appalachian.jackson@gmail.com
Days 148, 149, 150, 151 46.7 miles
These days were spent taking time to spend with friends, having fun, and making
the best of my time.
I started by taking a zero day in Hotsprings, NC at the junction of the AT and
French Broad River with my Dad, 'Pyro,' 'Ron,' 'Pilgrim,' and 'Sugar.'
We all piled into one of the hot tubs while it was snowing. Unfortunately,
'Green Flash' hiked out. I had an ok time at Elmer's Sunnybank Inn.
He had all kinds of books around. I am feeling very in between in the world that
I know and the world I left. I asked him and his friends for a good read to
help me, but no book was recommended.
That was disappointing. Becky, I can tell, is nearing the end of her ability to stay without me. It weighs heavy some times.
I hiked out of Hotsprings and camped on Max Patch, a beautiful spot with rolling
hills.
It was a cold, clear night. 'Pyro' froze. I caught up with 'Green Flash' right before entering the Smokies. 'Green Flash' is 24, graduated from University of Oregon, is a wild land
firefighter and a very good person for me to hike with after being alone for so
long on the trail.
He has been traveling since the first of the year and was in South America five
months before starting the trail.
His ideas and thoughts roll me into thinking about myself and what I can do when
I get back home.
The thoughts are sometimes poisonous and cause me to stress about trying to
figure out my life.
I must step back and just let it happen.
'Pyro' hiked on after 'Green Flash' and I hiked up to camp at Mount Cammerer
fire tower at 4,928 feet at the Tenn. NC state line. 'Green Flash' and I spent
the evening becoming friends.
It was good to stay up and talk instead of going directly to sleep after dinner.
I’ve become more introspective than ever during this last period in my journey.
Day 152 14.9 miles Mt. Collins Shelter, Great Smoky Mtns. (1,974.9 miles hiked)
Today, I hike for Alan and Amanda, my neighbors. Since they have moved in, they have given a sense of community for us. They have helped to keep Becky company while I am gone. They both are on their own journeys figuring out their lives. They are good people.
My body feels worn out lately, joints are sore, ligaments tight, muscles taut. I
can tell that I
’ve walked far. 'Green Flash' and I hiked down to Newfound Gap. We tried to hitch a ride into town for a disappointing and frustrating 45
minutes.
The parking lot was filled with tourists who had fear in their eyes of us with
our scraggly beards.
We tried to talk with many, but a curtain was drawn between us. I haven’t felt so separated from “real” life in a while. We finally got a ride from a guy from NH.
We were dropped off at the Pancake Pantry in Gatlinburg. But they didn’t have biscuits and gravy. 'Green Flash' is on a mission to eat biscuits and gravy in every state. He didn’t like the NC gravy. We walked over to Shoney’s as they were closing the breakfast bar. They told us to grab some plates and “get rid of the food." We each grabbed five plates and had a feast. 'Green Flash' said it was the most bacon he had ever eaten.
I went over to the Happy Hiker outdoor store to get a food drop, the girl
working there recognized me from the "News and Neighbor."
She wasn’t sure if it was me, but I told her it really was, with “a little more crazy, worn out look in my eyes." A guy in town offered us a ride. He picked us up in his convertible. We rode back to the mountain in the best car in style. 'Green Flash' and I have
come up with a new slogan for the two of us--
“We’re not late, we’re right on time."
