Oh, the energy to write daily posts for this blog is not always present. I am happy to report that no trail drama, injuries or gear failures have set me back. In fact, I feel great physically and mentally. At this point in the hike, having hiked over 600 miles and completed over 25% of the AT, I feel like a thru-hiker now. And I can make some judgements.
The AT does not feel like a wilderness trail experience. There are so many encounters with civilization now. Ever since I descended from Mt. Mousilauke in New Hampshire on August 6, when I saw the first pastures and lawns along the trail, the scenes are nothing like the challenging and more remote mountains I struggled with and conquered. This observation is not a complaint. Rather, it is a recognition the thru-hike is in a phase that includes ice cream, nice food co-ops, roads, farms, livestock and miles and miles of the famous Green Tunnel…I mean tree canopy!
