Jack called tonight after they stopped at a shelter where the phone service was really good. He said he is having the best time of his life and loves waking up everyday and the only thing he has to do is walk forward!
He has met lots of interesting people and he said it's kind of like your family on the trail. One man he met is from Isreal who has worked and saved for years just to be able to come to America and hike the trail. There is also a family (man, woman, and 13 year old girl) from Canada who are hiking.
He said it's crazy how fast word travels up and down the trail to all the different people. They are all like nomads (aka trail trash), everyday and everynight you just talk to each other. When you don't see people for a while and you run back into them it's like seeing an old friend. You just keep meeting people and find out they've met the same people you've met. Word of mouth is the biggest thing ever.
He said that he feels like he's living in a scene from The Lord of The Rings because everywhere you look there are crazy rivers and lakes flowing through the mountains. The other night he and Randall saw some Owls and he was surprised that they don't sound like you would think (Whoo Whoo)...they actually sound like monkeys!
Jack's slowly moving north and he said you wouldn't believe how worn the trail is. A blind man walked it and Jack said if that man had written a book he would read the hell out of it.
He also said eveyone has nicknames that other people give you and they just catch on. However James, Jack and Randall haven't gotten one yet. He is going to let me know when he gets one, but he is really hoping it isn't lame! (because they really stick!)
Jack is going to call back after they go through the Smokies in 4-6 days. They will be passing by Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN.
PS Jack hasn't run into any big spiders!
He has met lots of interesting people and he said it's kind of like your family on the trail. One man he met is from Isreal who has worked and saved for years just to be able to come to America and hike the trail. There is also a family (man, woman, and 13 year old girl) from Canada who are hiking.
He said it's crazy how fast word travels up and down the trail to all the different people. They are all like nomads (aka trail trash), everyday and everynight you just talk to each other. When you don't see people for a while and you run back into them it's like seeing an old friend. You just keep meeting people and find out they've met the same people you've met. Word of mouth is the biggest thing ever.
He said that he feels like he's living in a scene from The Lord of The Rings because everywhere you look there are crazy rivers and lakes flowing through the mountains. The other night he and Randall saw some Owls and he was surprised that they don't sound like you would think (Whoo Whoo)...they actually sound like monkeys!
Jack's slowly moving north and he said you wouldn't believe how worn the trail is. A blind man walked it and Jack said if that man had written a book he would read the hell out of it.
He also said eveyone has nicknames that other people give you and they just catch on. However James, Jack and Randall haven't gotten one yet. He is going to let me know when he gets one, but he is really hoping it isn't lame! (because they really stick!)
Jack is going to call back after they go through the Smokies in 4-6 days. They will be passing by Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN.
PS Jack hasn't run into any big spiders!
Jack and Joanna....this is a great record of Jack's adventures. I wish I'd done something like this in my lifetime, but since I didn't...enjoy the hell out of it for me!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Aunt Anne