If I have Athlete’s Foot, does that mean I’m an athlete now?
All those years of pressing piano pedals and I never once had peeling, cracking feet. Who knew all it took to become an athlete was hiking 470 miles. Luckily, I still haven’t had a blister. And my feet aren’t really bothering me. They just look like…well, I’ll spare you. I did go to the local RX and buy some cream. YIKES. Who knew being an athlete was so expensive? π Still loving the new shoes. Montrails!
Sitting in Damascus, VA now. That’s right, 3 states down! No more GA, NC, or TN. The bad news is I’ll be in VA for the next 550 miles. There’s a phenomenon called the “Virginia Blues” because being in the same state for so long can be hard. You miss the sense of accomplishment that comes from so quickly checking off 3 of the 14 states you hike through. Thankfully, the opposite happens after VA; you check off WV and MD within 43 miles. Some people actually attempt a 44 mile/four state/24 hour challenge and hike from VA to PA without stopping. The bad news is you miss Harper’s Ferry, WV, one of the coolest trail towns on the AT.
In other news, it’s now official. I now have a Trail Name: Feed Bag.
I got this name because I carry the top compartment of my pack strapped across my chest instead. I like to carry breakfast, lunch, and snacks therein so that I don’t have to stop and eat. If I do want to stop and eat, I don’t have to dig into my actual pack and find my food. It’s…well…in the Feed Bag. I like the hidden meaning as well; I also feed off of my MP3 player while listening to Scripture, sermons, music, and yes, Jim Gaffigan, all day.
Beard update: it’s coming back wonderfully. Thanks for your concern. I really hated the first week of being clean shaven and bald faced. It didn’t feel like me. I’ve told some of you this, but I’m taking the same picture (almost) everyday of the growth. At the end of the trail, I’ll have 4-5 months of pictures and string them together into a fast time-lapse so we can celebrate its growth together. The only bad thing about it will be you have to look at my ugly mug for a few minutes. Thankfully the beard has become the centerpiece again. π I imagine the video will be 2-3 minutes long. Let’s think of a song that would be fitting to play in the background while watching the progression. Suggestions?
I’m leaving Damascus bright and early tomorrow. Maybe even this evening if I get all my chores/shopping done. However, I’ll be returning here in 1.5 weeks for the biggest festival related to the AT: Trail Days May 15-17. The TV producer will also be here catching up with each of the hikers participating in the show. And so my next full blog will be from the same town. Don’t think I’ve moved here permanently. There’s no Starbucks here; I’d never move here. π Actually, In the defense of Damascus, I’m sitting at Mojoe’s coffee house, wonderful iced coffee, great music (bluegrass yesterday, Madeline Peyroux today).
Y’all already know a lot about the AT/World Vision. But I was happy to update the FAQ with your Q’s. Any more?
Here’s the trail report. Thanks again for reading! Exciting news in the weeks ahead; some possible newspaper articles about my hike coming up! More on that…later.
Trail Report:
4/27 4.2 miles, left Erwin, as usual had to leave town. I’m the only one not smoking pot at tonights shelter π
4/28 17.2 miles, only planned 12.8, took a 2 hr break, then pressed on. Today marks the end of one month = 370.1 miles total. First time sleeping away from a shelter.
4/29 18.4 miles, saw 2 deer! Sleeping in a barn that’s used as a shelter, beautiful view!
4/30 18 miles, windiest morning, left NC for good! Very different after mid-day. More trees with leaves, great smells, amazing Jones Waterfall, staying at a 3-level shelter.
5/1 15.6 miles, staying at Kincora hostel tonight. Good pace today, easier ups/downs. Ate a whole pizza from Little Ceasars.
5/2 17.5 miles, tough day, light rain. Tried double inserts in shoes, heels hurt a bit, but pretty comfortable overall.
5/3 32.9 miles, so tired. Happy to be here in Damascus.
5/4 0 miles!!! Blueberry pancakes @ Cowboy’s, coffee @ Mojoe’s, lunch @ Subway, dinner @ Quincy’s pizza. Staying at “The Place.”
5/5 0 miles!!! Working on blog, considering gear exchange for summer weather.
32.9 – Fantastic!
Comment by Greg Blevins — May 5, 2009 @ 5:37 pm
Wow!! That’s a lot o’miles on them athleteΒ΄s feet!! When Auntie Margie was little she asked Papaw why he said he had ‘Catholic’s feet’, knowing mamaw was a true Baptist. Family humor there!! Mil gracias por no participar en fumar el tabaco loco. I’m still not id’ing you as ‘feed bag’ yet. But the picture you painted was quite funny. So how are you getting back to Damascus in a week and a half?
love, mamamama
Comment by MamΓ‘ — May 5, 2009 @ 8:49 pm
How about the song “Hair” by The Cowsills? That would be pretty sweet.
My trail name is Goat cause I had a tendancy to go straight up the mountain while climbing Katahdin in Maine a few years back.
That Jim Gaffigan clip is a riot.
Cheers!
Goat
Comment by Jon Godfrey — May 5, 2009 @ 11:43 pm
Beard song—-So Happy Together
“Me and you, and you and me
No matter how you toss the dice, it had to be
The only one for me is you, and you for me
So happy together…
I can see me loving nobody but you for all my life….”
haha….love you!
Comment by Lindsay Henig — May 6, 2009 @ 5:56 am
Gosh, I spelled my own last name wrong…what a dummy!
Comment by Lindsay Hennig — May 6, 2009 @ 5:56 am
hey chris… i came across your website a few weeks ago and saw where you were from and realized that you may know my husband.. justin meeker. small world. thanks for your updates, we’re now officially following your journey. best of luck in VA!
Comment by Jes Meeker — May 6, 2009 @ 8:28 am
Beard Song
“It’s Growing” by James Taylor
hey,hey,hey!
Nobody knows how it grows, and it grows, and it grows.
Nobody knows.
Nobody knows how it grows and grows.
Where is it gonna stop?
Woo!
π
Comment by Celeste and Nathan — May 6, 2009 @ 1:46 pm
Feed bag, huh? Didn’t see that one coming. π
Beard song . . . “Bob Dylan’s 49th Beard” by Wilco . . .
You’ll be happier when I’m gone
Much too busy to worry
I’ll be sad and you’ll feel bad
But I know you won’t be sorry
And as I turn to go
Please don’t wave goodbye
I refuse to cry
On roads that are paved
With men who behave
Like they know where they’re goin’
And I’ll stop along the way
And it’s then I’ll think of you
And I’ll wonder if you knew
When I got blue
And things got weird
And I started growing
Bob Dylan’s beard
(Yes, it’s depressing, but it’s the only beard song I could think of.) π
Comment by mandy — May 6, 2009 @ 2:35 pm
Hey Feedbag,
OK Your pappaw use to call my horse a feedbag..because all he did was eat…but the memories he gave will never be forgotten. That is what you are doing for all of us! Making and sharing memories. Thank you. I wish I were with you ( maybe on a four wheeler-at my age!)
About those “Catholic Feet” …..Your mom cannot keep a secret and you know how I am when it comes to mixing up words…..anyway, keep powder in your shoes to help keep them dry and keep a close eye on them so nothing gets infected.
I love you . SEE YOU SOON.
Comment by A.Margie — May 7, 2009 @ 7:14 am
Well, the word Feedbag takes me back to my 4-H days when we had pigs and we had to get the ole feedbag and dump it in the feeder everyday. I just don’t think I can relate that thought to you. I still think “pizza man or Ivory (tickling the old ivories on the piano) would have been more appropriate, but I guess the trail folk don’t know you the way we do. I’ll adjust. You are making remarkable time and you are so inspiring. My concern of the week is: your feet. Maybe you could rotate between two pairs of shoes and let one pair air out while wearing the other especially if they get wet in the rain. This is mother advice–heed it. Keep truckin and I will continue to pray for you.
Comment by Cheryl Rutherford — May 11, 2009 @ 9:45 pm
Hennigvette…just wanted to take a moment to tell you that I’m still super jealous and wishing I was wondering the wilderness with ya!
Comment by Andy — May 11, 2009 @ 9:52 pm
We missed you on the boat! You sound great and in good spirits. You are awesome!
Hey, I didn’t know you knew Anthony Evans – small world! Take care and thanks for the great update
Comment by Sally Martin — May 13, 2009 @ 1:27 am
Celine Dion – ‘It’s all coming back to me now.’
haha or hey why not a little JT’s ‘SexyBack’! let’s see… I was trying to think of a good Nickel Creek song for the occasion. hmm it’s not really a beard song, but a good one for your hike would be ‘You don’t have to move that mountain’ … “just help me Lord to climb it” π
Comment by Amy H — May 13, 2009 @ 5:09 am
Hey Chris –
I have really enjoyed your blog on your adventure.
As you are looking for things to listen to as you walk I have a suggestion. Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley CA, Francis Chan is one of the pastors, is awesome! I have been very very blessed and very challenged in listening to what God is doing in with His people in Simi Valley. There is a lot to pick from . . . The Living a life that Matters is where I would start.
Comment by Kelley C — May 13, 2009 @ 8:28 am
I’ve been digging the website ever since my parents (Nate and Ali Larkin) told me about your hike. It’s especially timely for me, because I’m going to be doing a week on the AT this fall, and I can use your writing and photos to figure out where I want to do it. So keep it coming!
I don’t know any particular beard songs, but Down the Mountain by the Annuals might be good. Its an upbeat song about how falling in love is like breaking all your bones while tumbling down a mountain. Fun, huh?
Anyway, this is just quick a hello. I’ll be back. And good luck.
Comment by Daniel Larkin — May 17, 2009 @ 2:11 pm