Some may ask “Why are seniors so much more successful in finishing the AT than any other age group?” That can only be answered if you also consider the two most common phrases you hear on the AT: 1) “Hike your own hike,” and 2) “Never quit on a bad day.”
Hike your own hike. Old people do whatever they damn well please, and that includes taking their time and enjoying the trail. Young people get obsessed with getting in big miles and going faster than everyone else. Old people realize it can take well over 6 weeks and 600 miles of hiking for your body to adjust to the hiking lifestyle. They don’t necessarily have a tight schedule that they have to adhere to other than “Baxter closes October 15” while younger people have school start dates looming. We can take the time for our bodies to adjust and are not (too terribly) embarrassed that we are only doing 8 miles/day while everybody else is passing us (and, eventually, injuring themselves).
Never quit on a bad day. This is the real advantage seniors have. They’ve seen a lot more shit in their lives. Young whipper snappers today think a bad day is when their parents threaten to take their phones away. I’ve seen my 81 year old grandmother cry “What will I do without Mama?” when her 100 year old mother died. I’ve seen all four of my grandparents die. I’ve had my best friend die from Lou Gehrig’s disease. I’ve had lousy bosses that can’t manage their way out of a paper box (not you, Brad or Steve). I’ve had three friends commit suicide. I’ve had my sister die from cancer when she was only 38. I’ve spent the night in a double sleeping bag when it’s so cold that you can’t stick your head out and my wife has had bad stomach problems…I KNOW bad days!
We’ve made it to the trail town of Damascus and now we know disappointment. The people here are friendly enough, it’s just that there is nothing here. There’s only two open restaurants and three Outfitters in town. I don’t see how this place can possibly handle trail days in just 5 weeks and I’m seriously considering skipping it.
We’ve done the usual zero day activities: shower, laundry, resupply, eat, and partake of drink. We’ve caught up with people we thought we wouldn’t see again (Mizman, Geo, Summit, Bear Foot) and had people catch up with us who had fallen behind (Patches, Dirty R, Grape Stomper). We saw another person have to leave the trail (Snow Cone).
Part of the reason we took a double zero is to get some mail. It was like Christmas for us here. We received 5 packages at the Post Office here including some new gear we had ordered from Amazon and some resupply we had arranged for ourselves before we started—compared to our trail angel, Alice, we really suck at resupply shipments.
Donut, Pit Boss, and Play by Play all took off today. We hope to catch up with them in a few days. Stickers and Lady Bug slack packed back into Damascus the portion they missed last Friday and are supposed to head out tomorrow, but we haven’t heard from them to find out how Lady Bug’s shin feels. There’s a possibility they may have to take some days off. Patches got into town last night while we were visiting Wood Chuck Hostel and she should be heading out tomorrow with us, Mizman, and Hawk.
I feel looming change coming and I’m afraid there are going to be changes with whom we are hiking with. On the GR10 last year, we had trail family realignments every couple of weeks and I’m afraid it’s going to happen to us again on the AT. One thing I really enjoyed about the Camino de Santiago was that we kept the same family for most of the trail (but it was just a little over 500 miles). I know we will lose Mizman again because his girlfriend is coming down next week. He’ll get off for a week and then make up the Smokies. I’ll miss his always happy and positive outlook.
We will see what happens tomorrow when we are having breakfast at Mojo’s. Even though there’s only two restaurants in town, we like them both. Maybe I’m just getting restless feet from being in town for two days, or maybe I’m wondering when the cold weather will stop, or maybe I’m just tired and my wife’s snoring seems to be getting louder the longer we are on the trail. I wonder why I’m the only non-annoying person still awake.
EFG
Glad you made Damascus. Isn’t Mojo’s awesome?? Especially their biscuits and gravy.
If you get a chance, ride the bikes down the mountain.
You made the right call, it was crappy weather for bike riding when we were there. It did get nicer later in the week. The bike rides will have to wait for next time.
One member of the family is ready to start hiking if you have those lovely cinnamon rolls at trails end.
I can only be responsible for one diabetic ata time
Do you mean that the jobs at GT did not make the list?
That would definitely limit your ability to ever quit…maybe we should have a modified condition to add “only retire on a bad day” so you can escape
So nice to meet you both and share a moment in Grayson Highlands. So very many inspiring stories being lived out on the trail….yours being one of them. Caesar & I continue to find peace, joy, and inspiration in the beautiful places… and in the people we meet along the way. If you ever find yourselves in Damascus again, find the Lazy Fox…take your rest & be inspired by the amazing 94 year old proprietor. Perhaps we shall meet again…looking to find the Whites this summer. Best wishes. Moonlight Loyd
It was nice to meet you as well, our day with you will be posted soon.