Sometimes I wonder if connections find us or we look for connections. There is no question that I am looking for tangible reasons to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail other than it’s been a “dream” since I started backpacking as a teenager. I thought I had settled on solitude. But the more I read trail journals, the more I realize that solitude will be relative on the AT. I think it’s possible, but solitude won’t find me; I will have to find solitude. Some say they hike to the trail to “find themselves.” I don’t think I have ever “lost” myself, but in many I have ways lost connections to others in my life. Today is Mother’s Day. My mother died in 2012 in the same hospital where I was born; I was by her side as she passed quietly in the night. Connections. As I’ve been reading trail journals for this 2019 season, a couple hikers have mentioned lilies-of-the-valley flowers blooming near the trail; these were my mother’s favorite flowers. Right now, I can look out the window right and see lilies-of-the-valley blooming in my backyard. I didn’t plant them; they were a nice surprise the following spring after we bought this house the year after my mother died. Connections. When I started backpacking as a kid, we were not a wealthy family financially; but my mother would scrape together a few dollars to help buy my backpacking gear – frequently as a birthday or Christmas gift. She also frequently drove my friends and I to trailheads for the Black Forest and Loyalsock Trails in Pennsylvania. She encouraged my backpacking activities, even sewing for me from scratch a wind shell, insulated jacket, and stuff sacks in order to save money. Connections. I hope to see those lilies-of-the-valley on the Appalachian Trail and bring the connections full circle. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom.
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This past week was Teacher Appreciation Week. A community church near our high school sent over several baskets of goodies to thank teachers; sort of like trail magic! It so happens that these baskets included a variety of Clif Bars. While most teachers were enjoying the candy bars and chips, I was lucky to snag several unwanted Clif Bars. Teacher Appreciation magic turned into an unexpected opportunity to try out potential trail foods. During my marathon days, I consumed several Power Bars as a pre-race breakfast. I was never really a fan of the sticky, semi-tasteless, often hard Power Bars. But they were a decent fuel prior to a race that wouldn’t sit like a brick or glob in your stomach. I am sure I ate a few Clif Bars back in those days too, but they don’t stick out in my memory as much as Power Bars. I am fairly certain I want nothing to do with Power Bars on a future hike, but also recognize that energy bars are a convenient staple to have in one’s food bag. Enter Clif Bars as the first contender. I have seen Clif Bars in local gas station convenience stores and supermarkets; so, I expect they will be seen in AT re-supply points from time to time. So far, I’ve eaten “Peanut Butter Banana with Dark Chocolate” and “Peanut Butter & Honey with Sea Salt.” Texture is as expected (sort of a sticky chewable, semi-solid oatmeal); the taste of these peanut butter flavored bars was just average. As a teacher, I’d give them a B/C+ grade. I still have “Chocolate Chunk with Sea Salt,” “Spiced Pumpkin Pie,” and “White Chocolate Macadamia Nut” left to taste test. At 108 calories/ounce, Clif Bars are a viable addition to the food bag. I envision energy bars as an addition to the first (cooked) breakfast of the day and the centerpiece of a second breakfast along the trail. That means two bars per day. Energy bars also could easily become the sole element of first breakfast on rainy days or when I want to break camp quickly. But comments from hiking forums and trail journals forewarn that the taste/texture of energy bars quickly becomes monotonous on the trail. Having worked through college at a Pizza Hut where we could eat all the pizza we wanted, I can tell you that even our favorite foods quickly become monotonous. So, Clif Bars appear to be an approved option for my eventual thru-hike. Of course, this option still needs trail-tested, but pre-hike “test” Number One (despite being extremely minor) is complete!
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Quiet Man
I don't have a bucket list. At 61 years old, I have already had the adventures of a lifetime, especially after a 30-year Army career, five years of teaching high school, and a 37 year marriage still going strong. But I still have this deep desire to complete the Appalachian Trial. Archives
February 2022
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