Loose Leaf Notes

Hiking the AT is not unlike following the Grateful Dead. Dead heads and AT hikers both become like family as far as camaraderie, support and helping each other goes. There are lots of spontaneous and diverse exchanges and making new friends.

There are trail angels who offer supplies and feed the hikers hot food where ever the trail and a road cross. Most of them are hikers who know  what it’s like. Joe said it’s not unlike being given a miracle ticket at a show from someone you don’t even know.

And this is a good sign Joe was excited to come across. Mooney is Joe’s mom’s Irish family name.

Apart from looking a little wind burned and having swollen ankles, Joe appeared hardy and happy on a recent Facetime chat. “You look all new, I said to him. “I’m re-newed,” he answered.

He sent me this from on random phone from their second “zero” day (when they don’t hike but hit a town for supplies and hotel showers) after a second week of being on the trail. It’s really a “nearo” day, he explained because there is always some hiking involved. The caption read ‘Most comfy place I’ve laid down all week.’ -Read about Joe’s first week on the AT HERE.