These several "zero" days (zero mileage) have been a great source of rest, relaxation and reorganization. But at the same time they have been somewhat overwhelming.
Have we been in the woods too long?
Or perhaps in town too long?
Our first day off the Trail, I went from Shenandoah National Park, where we maybe see 20 or so people a day, to Washington DC, where I saw maybe 2,000 people in 20 minutes.
National Park to National Capitol.
Both are places of importance and awe but in completely different styles.
We were both looking forward to these zero days for awhile, but once I spent a full day in the city, I began craving the trail again.
The trees.
The earth.
The birds.
The absence of crowds.
I started missing the purity of Nature. Even though it can be physically much more demanding and strenuous, even painful, the stillness and calmness is always waiting on the Trail. I could not find calmness on the interstates going to and from Washington DC.
The zeros serve their purpose, and some hikers prefer more than others. I think from this point out, we are pressing on to the North. There may be another zero or so somewhere in the mix, but it is exciting to know that we are in the next phase of our adventure.
It is still a long way to Maine, but we are almost out of the behemoth, Virginia, and from there the States come and go more quickly. I'm sure we will get to Maine before we know it and wish the time had not passed so quickly.
So until then and since the beginning, it will be one step at a time.
***
By the way, we still have not seen any bears yet, but the morning before we got off the Trail, a bear came into the shelter we were tenting at. The sleeping hikers woke when they heard it rummaging around and started yelling to scare it off. But not before it grabbed our friend's bag of pots and pans and scampered off into the woods. We heard the ordeal but couldn't see it from our tents pitched 50 yards away. We're still looking...
Funny how we all want a zero day from each of our own routines. The Doss' are all hoping for a few zero days this coming Memorial Day weekend. Hopefully we will get on the trail some too. Enjoy your time off the trail but don't stay long enough that you want to stay.
ReplyDeletePowerful perspective, Micah!
ReplyDeleteYou have a way of showing importance to our places and also showing the priority of the places. I hear you saying that the peace of the woods brings more good to our souls than the power of the politics.
I hear you clearly.
When I was reading the book, "WILD" , I could feel the call of the trail. You and Anna are on such a unique and amazing adventure and I envy you both so much. I wish I was 25 years old and had a 6 month window of opportunity to hike the AT or the PCT. I am so happy that you are exactly where you are suppose to be, with the person that you love the most, and that you have the blessings from your family and friends to accomplish this goal that you have set before you. "Zero" is full of reflection... Love you, Micah. Thanks for posting...thanks for sharing...and thank you for taking one more step towards Mount Katahdin.
ReplyDeleteGreat posting. Would love to meet up with you when you are planning another zero. Have a peaceful big bolshy birthday!
ReplyDeleteZeros in D.C. = Pinkberry and REI resupply on steroids. Post Katahdin zeros = Maine Black Bear ice cream at Joshy's, Schoodic Point, and Cape Split! Bruce & I are cheering you & Anna on these next 1000 miles, Micah. Shalom & happy hiking!
ReplyDeleteI'm not much of a mystery reader, but this one sounds oh so intriguing. Still, I'm not sure if it's something I'd like, since you said it is more plot-driven than character-driven. Thanks for the great review!
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