Thumbs Up

Yesterday I slept in as my clock had not been adjusted for DST. I awoke, quickly packed up, and checked out. I had a large breakfast at the Pancake house, then call Curtis at Standing Bear Farm. I split the $40 shuttle with a section hiker and came up here. Last night myself and three thru hikers were here. I built a fire in the wood stove but we didn't have enough wood to keep it going for long. This morning the other three left, leaving me. It was really freaking cold. I had breakfast and got back in my sleeping bag and piled 3 blankets on top. Now that the sun is shining I've poked my head out again.

I've been lost in thought for the past few days, and I've made a few important realizations. I may have said the first two before, but only now do I truely believe them: 1) I might not make it to Maine; 2) It doesn't matter; 3) It doesn't mean I have to go home...

That last realization was a big one. Before the only options I considered were "Maine or Bust!", but I now realize that even though I probably won't make it to Maine with the time and money I have remaining, I can stay out here for a few months and keeping looking for whatever it was I am looking for. More on that subject later. Anyways, I'm at Standing Bear Farm letting my leg heal at least until Monday. Tomorrow I'll go for a little day hike to test out my leg. On Monday I'll get my mail drop and try to hike (slowly) to Hot Springs. It's 30 miles and I'll give myself 4-5 days to do it. If the hike goes well, I may continue hiking North to Erwin. If not, I'll yellow blaze my way up the trail until I can hike more, and by combination of yellow blazing and hiking just get myself whereever adventure takes me, indirectly headed North towards Home. When I run out of time or money or get sick of it, I'll just go home. Thats the tentative plain, but really I'm just going to make each decision as I come to it.