A week on the trail (sorry just realized it didn't publish...wrong order)

The first day I was set to hike about fifteen miles. The thought process behind this was to beat everyone out of the gate and get to a quieter spot. Well, it turns out that everyone had this preconceived notion that they were going to be able to come out here and hike fifteen miles each day. So needless to say my plan of getting out ahead failed miserably. That night there was eight tents set up. The next day I planned a shorter day and because everyone was hurting (physically and mentally) as their hopes of completing fifteen miles a day came crashing down around them they also competed a shorter day. This resulted in 17 tents being set up that night. Yes my friends, one - seven!!!! It was insane. The third day we reached a place called Neels gap. Here a hiker can restock food, fix any gear (it's like a mini MEC), take a hot shower (for four dollars!), or do laundry. This placed proved to be a saving grace. I stopped here briefly and then continued on for another seven miles. Since leaving Neels gap the amount of hikers has dropped substantially!! Tonight I am sharing my camp site with only one other person! It is nice to have less people on the trail but even nicer to run into a friendly face that you initially met on springer mountain.

So as I feared I am having a hard time taking it slow (I'm a day ahead of schedule). But as time ticks by I am making a conscious effort to enjoy every moment of the trip. And even though I have already put in some big days (longest was sixteen miles) my body is holding up quite well. No issues with my foot, except for blisters from the first day, and no other aches or pains. My gear is also holding up quite well, except for one piece...my thermarest. So all in all I really can't complain and I truly am enjoying it and more importantly I am enjoying the people that I am meeting. So many different reasons why people are out here.

Reasons for hiking the AT:
My wife passed away and I am hiking to honour her
I lost my job
Just finished my college degree
Been planning this trip for the last ten years
Finally quit my job and decided to start living
Wanted some adventure in my life
Reformed alcoholic
Trying to quit smoking
Going through a divorce
Wanted to hike
Couldn't find full time employment
The list goes on and on.... So many different people, so many different stories.