The Time Has Come...

The time has come to draw this blog to a close...what has been, was, and always will be stored in the hearts, minds, and words cast forth.

I thank you all for your support. If you wish to continue following my blog writing, find me permanently on my home blog: www.whatisaldoingfuntoday.blogspot.com

Smiles and Love in Life Always,
Alan

A Walking Poem of Hope...

I walk outside,

To let my mind jive,

With that which is all around me.

I discover through stares,

That all is not quite there,

And what's missing is care,

For nature, for beauty around thee.

Among traffic's great sound,

Over gravel and ground,

I look, look around,

To stare a great stare,
 At a fitful fate abounding.

For without such care,

For all that is there,

The Earth becomes limited and bounded. 

So when striding afoot,

Outside in the soot,

Be sure to appreciate what is around you.

For the sooner we care,

About what is there,

The sooner we live in Love, in bounty.

***

I tell you my tale,

Of not, not to dwell,

About the gloomy times ahead.

But, instead, take Fred -

The lovable dread,

And fasten your Love in the surroundings. 

For it is here,

You are quite, quite near,

To the place containing beauty and bounty.

I'm sure of the share,

That we all must care,

Less we be shrivel and shrew,

And fastidious with poo,

All of us, even you,

To bear a new tomorrow.

For yes, it is you!,

Who puts on their shoes,

To Love, 

To Land,

To County.

For all of this bounty,

Swirling, spinning around thee,

Rejoice! in our shared voice,

Of the land, the sea, and we -

Whom with the triumphant Earth, 
While she giveth birth,

Again, anew, forever.

~ ~ ~

I'm amazed in what has transpired since finishing. I find joyous rhyme and reason for smiling in my day, but I yearn for more purpose. I know through patience and positivity that all will work out as it should. While walking outside today, I felt words forming in my mind and on my lips - matching stride with verse. There exists a cynical response inside of me since leaving the boundaries of the wilderness. In these human habitats, I have permitted thoughts - some positive, some negative - to surface. It is in these surfacings - incarnate as poetic prose - that I seek meaning.

To iterate the care, that we all must share...OKAY, sorry, poem is over; but, really though, to see that it is possible: that if we all cared more - how different our Earth, our future would be - causes me to move thoughts into shared words. Perhaps I miss the wilderness; but, perhaps I have faith in all of us more. That we can surmount the little, seemingly-insignificant things to make best, or better with what is is we have been bestowed to care for: the Earth and all its' possessions! 

Despite the cynic inside, I am hopeful for a generation (or the plural form of that word) - alive or yet to be born - that will rise to the occasion(s) that present themselves. 

For our current course, 

Seems a bit hoarse, 

When we talk, talk about it. 

So walk, crawl, or trot,

To the beauty you spot, 

And make plans to stymie: 

The destruction of land, 

CARE, we all can!,

I believe, I Love, apply me. 

Always,

Alan 

Share the Freedom, Share the Land

Freedom!  

Today I reflect; I reflect on the freedom and joy that has been my experience. Things have begun to form shapes, colors, meaning. I've found that reintegration has been easier than I first thought. As one could imagine, after 4+ months of living and learning in the wilderness, the initial thought of re-entering human society and habits seems scary. You build-up these preconceived notions in your consciousness - either with commentary from those that have bathed in a similar length experience, or in your own mind - and with this comes elements of fear. 

Fear of being buried in a daily schedule of rudimentary tasks; fear of the concrete trail; fear of unpure water sources; fear of disrespect; of cars; of travel not involving your dedicated physical energy; basically, fear of losing what has become the free you in the woods. 

Fortunately I'm happy to sit here and not be trembling with things that I could fear. In this, I've had the continual privilege to take my Freedom vest and head into the outdoors. Whether that be rock climbing with my good friend Jeremiah the bullfrog or heading out for a day hike (which is an odd feeling; "oh it's just a day hike; so easy!"); the freedom still exists in the vast spaces outside human habitation and occupation. Thank goodness for this! Furthermore, I recognize that where I am, here in western North Carolina, is one example of places where freedom rings loud and clear still. I say this because we know that spaces of freedom do not exist everywhere, and that sharing of land, or smiles with our brother and sister Americans is not always common - sadly.  

This brings me to reproduce a particular day that I've been meaning to share with those on this blog. I was listening to the song "Share the Land" by The Guess Who, and my spirit was alerted to the importance of what they were singing (please take a moment to follow the link below and read the lyrics as you listen):

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN (mobile users may have issues): 
                                                          

Have you been around?
Have you done your share of comin' down
On different things that people do?
Have you been aware?
You got brothers and sisters who care
About what's gonna happen to you
In a year from now

Maybe I'll be there to shake your hand
Maybe I'll be there to share the land
That they'll be givin' away
When we all live together, we're talkin' 'bout together, now

*repeat*

Did you pay your dues?
Did you read the news
This morning when the paper landed in your yard?
Do you know their names?
Can you play their games
Without losin' track
And coming down a bit too hard?

Maybe I'll be there to shake your hand
Maybe I'll be there to share the land
That they'll be givin' away
When we all live together, we're talkin' 'bout together, now

 *repeat 3 times*

(Shake your hand, share the land)
You know I'll be standing by to help you if you worry
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Now more sadness, no more sorrow, and no more bad times
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Everyday comin' sunshine, everyday everybody laughin'
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Walkin' together by the river, walkin' together and laughin'
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Everybody singin' together, everybody singin' and laughin'
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Good times, good times, everybody walkin' by the river now
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Walkin', singin', talkin', smilin', laughin' diggin' each other
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Everybody happy together, I'll be there to worry you if you need-a me
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Call on me, call on me, call my name, I'll be runnin' to help you
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Everybody walkin' by the river now, everyday everybody laughin'
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Everybody singin' and talkin', smilin', laughin', diggin' each other.

What has changed from when you first began to listen? Do these lyrics still hold true to a portrait of modern America? Will we take the time to recall the past, in order to interpret and/or modify our course for the future? 

Rhetorical questions they may be, but questions pertaining to if they are Freedom they are not. I can vividly remember listening to this song on that sunny day in Grayson Highlands; as the singer hit the final verses of the song I was overwhelmed with emotion. I realized that peace, acceptance, and freedom do not ring free and clear for all; that many people are absent-minded to that which we as Americans experience. 

Perhaps I've spent too much time outside. Perhaps I can't find enough beauty and love in Freedom; but, I do know I will not take my freedoms for granted. Not after I choose to remember what it means to be an American. 

So, to wherever you are - sitting, standing, using the bathroom, or driving in the car - recall a moment when you experienced freedom. What was alluring about that moment? Does it still remain in some form or another in your life? If not, perhaps it is time to reassess the amount of flex and exercise you're giving to your freedom. 

Like the sunshine, freedom may disappear as the day wears on, but come tomorrow it'll be back, and it'll be bright!! 

Love life, love your freedoms, Dig each other, and always try to better another with you in your journey towards positivity,

Alan 

atop pitch 4 of the Sundial Crack; ringing and rocking Freedom in Pisgah National Forest!

Jeremiah rappelling in the freedom vest; rings loud in the morning air

he may not be wearing the vest at this moment but this guy is FREE!

2,184.2 miles: COMPLETE

How do you begin to talk about something, to make sense of something that has so many intricate and moving parts; something that redefined what it means to be alive; something that has become all you've known for a length of time? 

I sit here, awake way past hiker midnight (aka, dark) and feel disinclined to sleep. Perhaps it is my mind, wide awake with the digital stimulation of this computer, the wired electric lights around me, and the lack of nature sounds in the background; or, maybe it was the drive from the wilderness back into Society. Along the highways and byways, in and around the towns where masses of people congregate. Am I still part of this society? If I am, why do I feel out of place?

Perhaps, it is too soon to understand something I only scantily immersed in for the sake of a shower, food, and resupply; and after satisfaction of that we answered the wilderness's beckon back into her immense body. Either way, the reintegration will be interesting, nonetheless. You could say I feel a bit overwhelmed, but I know this will pass. I also know, or I plan rather, to find my way back outside as soon as I recollect my bearings and position in life. 

I've been planning to reintegrate - this unavoidable thing - yet I find it consoling to know I can and will go back out and support other Southbounders still on the trail here in the South. Perhaps this will provide me with a space in which to relate to what has been my existence these last 4 months and 3 days.

This was the morning after, but it captured more what I was feeling about the finish...and less of the peaceful calm that was the afternoon before: October 17th. 

The FREEDOM Gang! Including Peta, whose trail name became Shelia the Australian Smiler (SAS); whom we adopted into our gang shortly after meeting her last week and loving her presence, her foreign spirit in our journey to the finish. 

Thank you once again, to all of you for your help, support, love, thoughts, packages, smiles, or simple words of encouragement. You are the reasons I, and the Freedom Gang, succeeded. So high-fives and smiles to you, too!

Oh, and what is with the Freedom regalia you may ask? Well, there is no better way to remind folks in this great nation, not to mention ourselves, that we live and walk in a free country. And, to celebrate that simply by donning a garment of Freedom, well, .... there AIN'T NOTHIN' FREER!

Stay loving in that Freedom all around us,
Alan



Shower and Laundry count to be tallied soon! 

The Freedom Gang!

1 day remains! We picked up our freedom flag vests at Neil's Gap, and are ready to finish strong and free!

Pictured below: Lorax, Rocketman, and Peg Leg.

Finishing tomorrow afternoon. Long live Freedom!

2,000 milers, say what?

Two days ago we crossed the 2,000 mile mark on Thunderhead Mountain. To celebrate we wrote the number 2,000 and word mile across our knuckles, not knowing how else to deal with this achievement. As I recall, banshee yells were yelped, as well. That eve we continued the celebration when Lorax (pictured below), created a delectable, non-baked rendition of backcountry cheese cake; yum!

Today as I sit atop Cheoah Bald at around 5,000 feet, staring at the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, 145.2 miles remain; and, less than that by the time we reach our shelter this eve.

So much to be thankful for! Though this experience will end soon, the mental and spiritual carriage will ride on; 'naaay' to that! :)

Sending positive thoughts and beautiful views from along the journey.

Great days to you all!
Alan

206 Miles & Counting

Greetings once again dear friends and family,

206 miles remain. I still struggle to clearly comprehend what has happened, and what continues to happen each day. Perhaps, I conflict to comprehend because, as I sit here and tap this post on my new smart phone - wirelessly connected to a world I have not exactly known recently - my body and mind crave rest, silence, and a reflective space to appreciate.

A few themes, however, have begun to bubble to the surface:

1) Contrast
2) Gratitude
3) Balance
4) Respect

It has been quite a holistic journey. In this, I eagerly await the finish of this finite experience with patience and appreciation for what has been, and for what will come.

Thank you to all of you for your love, support, and positive thoughts. I look forward to sharing more as the patient flower of reflective gratitude future blossoms.

Till then...

Good day, good eve, and a great 'morrow!

Alan

A visit to Boone & 425 miles to go!

Wow, what a delicious treat; coming back to Boone that is. Easily within the first half hour of being here, I saw at least 3 people I knew, and within 24 hours I had seen and chatted briefly with many familiar smiles and faces.

Being back here for the few days that I am, I feel quite energized and positive. In addition to the familiar mountains and Fall foliage, the people here in this town have been nothing short of overly hospitable and kind. My friend Matt (read: shout-out!) has graciously offered his place for us to stay and his car for myself and Peg Leg to borrow. Other folks here in the High Country have been very welcoming through txt and email messages - offering me an opportunity to visit and share with them of my adventures on the Trail. I find it highly contributory to my holistic energy to be here, and to share of the privilege I have had thus far in my travels.

As I was sharing with a friend today, for me to not find a way after I'm finished walking to repay and replenish the kind goodness that others have shown to me is for me to deny the opportunity that has been this Appalachian Trail thru hike. One way I've been dreaming of sharing is through a self-published short story book; known as a Zine.

As I sit here and try to reflect on things amazing or crazy I struggle to comprehend what those things mean, aside from the raw nature of what has been. In many ways, this whole experience has been amazing and crazy, so for me to take time after I'm done to compile my thoughts in a logical and sensible manner is definitely a light at the end of the walking tunnel.

Much has transpired since my last post. I last posted (aside from the quick blurb in Damascus a few days ago) from Waynesboro, VA - over 450 miles ago. So, I'll take the remaining space for photos and save the words for that publication to follow in the coming months.

a grassy walk; near Cold Mountain, VA

The Priest! a 3,000 foot climb - Central VA

Where are the mountains at? A famous photo opportunity snapped by many hikers along the AT: McAfee's Knob.

the view towards McAfee's Knob (on the left, beside my foot) - taken from Tinker Cliffs

love those clouds!

super important to hug a dinosaur - in Glasgow, VA

Family visit! With Great Uncle Johnny and Diane Baker - in Buchanan, VA

Wood's Hole Hostel; excellent rest day. Check out their website for more: http://www.woodsholehostel.com/

Neville and Michael harvesting their honey hives - @ the Wood's Hole Hostel

I walked 33 miles to eat this 16 ounce burger, then walked another 4.5 miles to the shelter. The burger lasted about 4 minutes before being devoured by a nameless, hungry hiker

The view outback from the Thomas Knob shelter - near Mount Rogers, VA. These mountains are the ones I used to call home when I lived in Boone. Was loving to view and name them as I remembered their unique shapes.

early morning sun...

...well worth the cold temps for the early morning view.

on our way towards Damascus, VA

a field walk in Tennessee

Well, I'm not sure when I'll next have a chance to post with the final 3 weeks between us and the finish at Springer Mountain in Georgia. I wish you all well in the meantime and look forward to sharing much more when the moments allow.

Cherish the simple things; love often, and remember to smile even when you don't feel like it!

Alan


As of June 14th:
Shower total: 34
Laundry total: 17

Total miles to date: 1759.2
Total miles remaining: 425.0

Goodbye Virginia!

Hello folks,

Short post this morn: sitting at Mojoe's Coffee shop in Damascus, Virginia. In 5 miles or so, I'll be across the border into Tennessee; yay! This brings great mental resolve, being that Virginia is the longest section on the entire trail.

For those keeping up with me - via the blog, cell phone, etc. - I apologize if I am slow to respond. I will say, however, that I will be even slower to respond via cell phone. My device took an unfortunate plunge into the toilet last night at the hostel here in town. I'm in the midst of "drying" it with rice, but am unsure of its future.

In the meantime, I'll be headed into Boone, NC - my old stomping grounds during Graduate School - tomorrow afternoon till Saturday morn. I'm very excited to be headed back to that special place.

I hope ya'll out there are doing well. If you'd like to help me out in my quest to maintain contact, please send me an email (aldsmith3@gmail.com) with your cell phone contact number. I am unsure if my phone will return to its normal duties, so I could be getting a new phone without numbers. I appreciate the help!

Stay warm in the lovely cool of fall,
Alan

PS, another post with pictures will be coming soon from Boone. Smiles!

Is it too early to dream?

Greetings once again all you lovely people in bloggie blog land,

Life is once again has been well as I sit here and reflect in the Waynesboro, VA public library on a zero (rest) day. After a restful and relaxing 6 days off the trail with my sister Amy, brother in-law Andy, and my 2 nephews Atley and Astin, it was nice to get back to the grind of hiking. Sure, half-way was an accomplishment, but not nearly monumental enough to celebrate just yet. So with the halfway point more than 200 miles behind me, I begin to dream about the end. Though, is it too early to dream?

early morning sun in the Shenandoah Mountains 

That question is perhaps best left in rhetorical form, though I find my mind wonders towards the end as the days tick on. With that in ponderance, I've heard from other thru hikers that as the end approaches, the reality of finishing begins to weigh heavy on the shoulders and mind. Leaving the trail that has given and shown much is a hard thing to stomach. So, I suppose through this lens it is a bit too early to dream, though, I surely do!

One thing that worried me beginning again after the half-way was with who or whom I'd be hiking with. I've been believing more fully in the phrase that what the hiker needs, the trail provides. In this manner, I was without a hiking partner or partners, and was wondering if I'd be alone for a while. In my first day back out, after a great stop to visit some old friends from Indiana, PA (now residing in Chambersburg, PA), I met Peg Leg and Butter Bar; 2 other southbounders I had yet to meet. What I needed, the trail provided.

You could say that this happens many times in life, though sometimes, I wonder cautiously about the act of wishing. Seems a dangerous game in which our concentrated thought sets in motion a chain of events that results in wishes coming to fruition. Sometimes for good, sometimes not. As for the trail providing, that seems a related realm that I have trouble conceptualizing right now. It's as if there is something greater watching over - knowing when or how to provide just when it seems we've come up empty. Though, I admit, this is not something that just magically happens. It is my belief that we - as conscious and moral human beings -have to give back in some manner, in order to assist in balancing this complex, life equation.

Sure, we choose to live our lives as we may; but, what I may or may not do, does sway in how it can affect another. With that in mind, I do dream; and I dream often. I may not dream towards the end, for in the end lies an escape, a solution to this exit fever. But, a dream that somewhere out there, perhaps through the next turn, or down the next mountain, that life is happening in balance and my presence in that moment could be one of positivity or negativity. The choice hanging in soft suspension.

Oh, these are the things I enjoy most about the trail, about this opportunity to participate in something not quite like the normal, everyday life. For when I exit this experience, I will again have another opportunity to enter the world with a heart and mind for love, learning, and sharing.

Stony Man Mountain

Until next time...I wish you all a smile or joy in something throughout your day. Something simple, beautiful, and meaningful to you. 

Lot of Love,
Alan

Peg Leg, Butter Bar, and Tusk, enjoying an active rest day at the Loft Mountain camp store

Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park

New shoes; loud but comfy!

Astin (the birthday boy), me, and my sis Amy at their house

tis real nice to be back in the mountains again

As of June 14th:
Shower total: 26
Laundry total: 13

Total miles to date: 1327.7
Total miles remaining: 856.5

Photos!

Some photos from the past few weeks...

crazy clouds (which I thoroughly enjoy) in Bear Mountain State Park, NY

an old mining road bisecting the trail, graded to haul ore by mule train

Kicker at the NY/NJ border; so long NY! 

creepy abandoned summer camp we found in the guide book. We were hoping to escape the rainy dreariness only to find dilapidated buildings, police tape, and overgrown fields...horror movie scene! 

6 miles or so of board walk in New Jersey

thank you Trail Angels for water and a throw-back Pepsi Cola!

hitching a ride into town; illegal in NY, but these kind gents with the moving company stopped and offered all they had

heading into Lehigh Gap, near Palmerton, PA

essential training for the half gallon challenge; Duncannon, PA

The Doyle Hotel - a welcoming, run-down hiker hostel hotel in the heart of has-been Duncannon, PA. good food, cold beer, and great people!

sometimes catching a hitch isn't so easy and you have to walk along tight spaces...when the tractor trailer in the picture passes in a few seconds, I laughed and smiled at the rush of the scenario...weee!

Pennsylvania forest scene

The Pinnacle, best view in all of PA along the AT

Snake Eyes on a rocky scree slope - typical of PA hiking 

corn field in the morning; Cumberland Valley, Southeastern PA

ohh the trash one finds along the trail in a day

old iron bridge originally used for vehicles, now used for AT hikers only

when given a view and welcomed relief from the socked-in feeling of trees and more trees, PA offered a nice spread of farm fields and clouds on sunny days

old cemetery (circa mid to late 1800s) in Cumberland Valley

the last of the setting sun, Duncannon PA

Resting a few more days with my sister, brother in-law, and 2 nephews here in Mechanicsburg, PA. Headed back out early next week. Till next time, be well!

Alan