Hello to everyone from Hampton, TN. We are now 420 miles down the trail and 50 miles from entering the state of Virginia!! We have had to upgrade our tent to a Big Agnes 2 wall tent and Peeta had to invest in new shoes…I guess carrying 30 lbs for miles each day will cause your feet to expand. The hiking continues to be challenging but rewarding. Roan Mountain and the Roan Highlands offered some of the most spectacular views and incredible vistas!!
The weather has been good overall but we’ve had a few days of rain coupled with high winds but nothing that lasts so long that it wears on us. The only disappointment with bad weather is that after hiking several thousands of feet up a mountain, there is no view at the summit…only dense fog.
This is what happened one day when we summited Beauty Spot. We were hopeful there would be views but the weather was not cooperating. We had planned to eat lunch there that day so despite the dense fog and light drizzle, we picked a spot and commenced eating.
That’s when we were approached by a gentleman who was part of the local trail club who was out hiking and checking on trail conditions. We chatted for a bit. He said that the view from here on a good day was pretty spectacular but we should also keep in mind that we shouldn’t be too disappointed because the trail will always provide what you need. I nodded like I agreed with his statement but for the next several days of hiking…and through many hours of seemingly endless climbs, his statement was one I pondered.
The trail always provides what you need. Is this true? Do I need miles of hard rocks under my shoes after I’ve already hiked 10 miles and my feet are painfully sore? Do I need the temperature to drop into the 30s when my gear is already damp from the rain? Maybe?? Are those things thrown in our path to test our mettle? I know I’ve learned to persevere and master these situations.
But there have also been numerous times when the trail has provided exactly what I’ve needed in the moment. It’s shown up as a rock set in just the right place to take a brief rest, or a cold stream to soak my aching feet or a perfectly situated camping spot at the end of the day, even trail magic or new friends to lift our spirits on a trying day.
Maybe the trail does provide? Or does it simply allow us to make space for greater appreciation of the little things that can make a difference in our day and be open to seeing them? I suppose that’s true of life as well. Sometimes things may not always seem to be what we need but every experience is an opportunity, either to learn from or simply rejoice in.
Katahdin or Bust! 
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