Day One and Chief Has A New Trail Name

Ready, Set, Go!

Pilgrim at the Trailhead

Starting on the trail at 10:15 a.m. and arrived at Hawk Mountain shelter at 5 o’clock.  We had a one half-hour break in between and pretty much walked straight through after that. It was a difficult day.  We had a lot of up-and-down rocks and roots and we’re both feeling pretty beat up right now.

We met a lot of people on the trail today and I finally realized my true trail name which is – Pilgrim.  Last year our small group studied Pilgrim’s Progress.  Honestly, Pilgrim’s burdens took on a whole new meaning for me today.  With this pack on my back, I am Pilgrim.

Pilgrim

It’s funny how when you are sitting at home and you read all the stories about other people walking the trail,  you get information on the beginning of the day and usually the end of the day.  They say how difficult it is but you really don’t get a feel for how difficult it is “in between” the morning and the night.  If there is one thing I learned today, it is the kinds of difficulty that’s involved with getting from point A to point B.  And, I am only talking about from the trailhead to Hawk Mountain shelter! (8.1 miles)  It is all we could think about.

We are here now and with a few ibuprofen and a good nights sleep, I should be ready to go at dawn tomorrow.  Okay,  maybe not dawn, more like maybe 10 a.m. again!  But anyway I’m hoping that we will be able to get up and go.

From the trail, Pilgrim