Sounds in the silence

   On Wednesday of this week I went on a short vacation with my family. Unfortunately, the power cord to my computer was left behind! At one point I was able to get on another computer and tried to post, but the blog site was unavailable. So, after a 4 day break, let's get back to this project. Here is my 1980 reflection:
   Hiking through the woods is an incredible experience. I was reminded of that the past few days. We went to  Camp Pinnacle in Clayton, GA. I was able to walk on several of the short trails through the woods, by the creek, and around the lake. You would think it would be a quiet experience. It is much quieter than the hustle/bustle of civilization [sic], but there are so many things to hear. I love to hear the sound of the wind blowing through the trees. In the mountains, there is usually a breeze (even if it is in the tree tops). Sometimes I would lie on my back and take a rest, looking up at the canopy of trees with the clouds in the background.
   Birds were singing often. and when they weren't singing you could sometimes hear them digging through the leaves looking for bugs to eat. Ducks and/or geese would quack or honk across the water. Sometimes I would hear the rustle of some animal deeper in the woods (perhaps a squirrel, a deer, or even a lizard). Insects make lots of noise too and flies....it was annoying when they dive bombed me, but it happened frequently.
   I made a lot of noise too, the clump of my boots on the trail. The clatter of my hiking stick on the rocks, a slight rattle of equipment in my pack, the sound of my lungs working hard on a long climb up a summit, even my heart beating hard from the exertion. And when I was hiking I often sang. Imagine my chagrin when I rounded a corner, singing loudly only to come face to face with other hikers who were heading South!
   Did I have a favorite sound? Yes I did (and I still do). I love the sound of a mountain stream. Usually I could hear it faintly in the distance, so faint that I questioned whether it is really a sound or not. But as I got closer the sound of the water pouring over the rocks is clear. And the closer I got, the more beautiful the sound was. when I arrived at the stream, I would sit and soak in the sound while enjoying a refreshing cold drink of water. Sometimes the streams were tiny, sometimes they were large. I loved camping close to a large stream....being lulled to sleep by the beautiful sound of the rushing water. These were the sounds in the silence of the wilderness.
   Regarding my current project in 2011, I am somewhat glad that I wasn't able to blog the past few days because my weight went up some while I was on vacation, (up to 184.0) only to fall back to 181.8 pounds this morning. I suspect a lot of it was water weight from eating too much salt. I'm home now, blogging while listening to my daughter singing at the top of her voice. I'm back from the wilderness, but I still remember the sounds in the silence1

A cup of (ice cold) water in Jesus' name!

   The Appalachian Trail goes through North Carolina and Tennessee, often following close to the border between those two states. From time to time, the trail crosses major rivers. In 1980 I remember being in Tennessee and having to cross a big river. The trail went right over a large bridge then turned to follow a road parallel to the river. There was a small town at the river crossing and I hoped to be able to get some ice cream or at least a cold drink. But I didn't see a gas station or convenience store anywhere. I'm sure there was one somewhere in town, but I didn't want to hike out of the way to try and find it.
   As I walked down the paved road, I passed several houses. I realized that I would soon be leaving civilization and cutting back into the woods. I also realized that my water bottle was very low. I saw a house with a water hose next to the front porch. I was tempted to get the water quietly and not let anyone know, but I knew that wouldn't be right. I also didn't want to come face to face with someone's shotgun (after all, this is Tennessee!) So, I knocked on the door and politely asked if I could fill my large mouthed water bottle with water from the hose. The woman at the door looked at me for a moment and asked if I was thirsty. Yes, I replied. She reached out and took my water bottle and told me to wait. The door shut. I waited.
   When the door re-opened the woman held out my water bottle, filled to the brim with ice and water. As I reached for it, she held on to the bottle, looked me in the eye and said, "I give you this water in Jesus' name." I thanked her and left. water out of a hose is much different from ice cold water (with ice) straight from the kitchen! It's been 31 years, but I still remember the woman who made Mark 9:41 real to me: "I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward."
   This morning I weighed in at 181.4 pounds, great progress! After 29 days I am about 1/4th of the way to my goal of 165 pounds. I realize that I may gain some, then lose some over and over. But I am still making progress. I think I will celebrate by drinking some ice cold water!

Walking with Spring!

   Most people who hike the entire Appalachian Trail start in Georgia and hike to Maine. The reason for this is because of the weather. I started in 1980 on April 12th, the beginning of spring in Georgia. As I walked North, Spring followed me. The only place I went back into "winter" was in the Smokies. But everywhere else I was "walking with Spring". The trees were budding, the flowers were blooming, the weather was just warm enough during the day and a bit chilly at night. Every step North I saw nature come back to life after winter. While most people think about the fantastic views from the mountaintops (and there were many), most of the time was spent in the quiet of the woods with the trees, plants, rocks, and wildlife. It was a peaceful journey.
   This morning (in 2011) I weighed in at 182.4 pounds. After four weeks I have lost over four pounds. At that constant rate, I will reach my target weight of 165 by the end of this journey. Last night I had a steak & potato along with a big chunk of watermellon. It was Mother's day and that's what my wife wanted. I was pleased that I didn't put on any weight, but actually lost some vs. yesterday. Tonight I will have a big salad for supper. You don't have to starve in order to lose weight!

Enjoying the Journey

   The Appalachian Trail is in the Appalachian mountains. In 1980, the vast majority of the trail was in the woods with an occasional short distance on a dirt or paved road. Hiking in the mountains means lots of ups and downs. After long, hard climbs I was often rewarded with spectacular views. Down in between the mountain tops there were often mountain streams. Taking a drink of cold mountain water fresh from a stream is just the thing to be refreshed after a long afternoon of hiking. The trees were beautiful, the birds were often singing, and from time to time I was able to see a deer or other wildlife. The entire experience was worth all the effort!
   My current project has it's ups and downs too. Weekends are hard when there are family celebrations. Today I weighed in at 183.0 pounds. I'll just keep on going and hope to make some progress in the future. Regardless of the outcome, I will enjoy the journey!