We’ve all been asked what our favorite color, food, place, etc., is. Well, that happens “a lot” on the Appalachian Trail (AT)! Especially when you are in town or passing through an area where there are a lot of tourists. You are a novelty to many, and they are filled with curious questions. Almost without fail you get asked for a list of some favorites.
Favorites were an integral and empowering part of my AT adventure. Every hiker for healthy reasons develops favorites in life and certainly on the AT.
For example, my favorite nature sound on the AT is the Loon, especially in the middle of the night. My favorite state is Maine. I love isolation and in Maine you really feel embraced by it. My favorite section is Grayson Highlands State Park. Besides the wild ponies, it reminds me of hiking in the Colorado mountains. My favorite sunset was on Rocky Top in the Smoky Mountains. It was almost supernatural! My favorite close to the trail eating place was “all of them!” 😊 My favorite road crossings were at Trail magic sites. The refreshing power these trail angels possess is incredible! My favorite celebrity was Dwayne Johnson, the Rock. I met him and a couple of his friends while descending Mount Madison in Maine. My favorite equipment was my cushy air mattress. There is nothing like a great and comfortable night’s sleep after hiking hard all day. My favorite camp food is Mountain House Lasagna, snack food is Beef Jerky, candy is Caramel Creams, town food is chicken wings for an appetizer, then a 1 lb. cheese, bacon and mushroom burger, with loaded fries, BBQ potato chips, dessert of the house and several Dr. Peppers. I could go on and on with my favorites.
Experiencing a favorite of yours on the AT can be like downing an energy drink without the body slam at the end. It just makes your day. It’s one of those gifts that keeps on giving. Sometimes for several days!
The picture above is my favorite camp. It is the Antlers Campsite in Maine, on the shoreline of Jo-Mary Lake. I camped on a little peninsula that extended into the lake. At first glance I thought I had the entire campsite to myself, but a greeter came over to welcome me before I even got my pack off. Mr. Loon.
I quickly dropped my pack and shot to the shoreline to express my appreciation by videoing his greeting. A few others eventually joined him giving me the full VIP treatment.
My time traveling through the 100-mile wilderness in Maine was mostly spent slogging through the rain and mud, trying desperately to stay off those greased rails sometimes referred to as roots. I was “way” beyond trying to stay dry or to keep the mud off.
I extended and dropped my flaps to all but crash land at the Antlers Campsite, wet, with only fumes left in the tank and not in the best of moods. I had hit a lot of turbulence in the course my flight that day and felt I was concluding a 24 hour red eye. 😒
But from the moment I landed at the campsite, the magic began to happen. The natural beauty of the area began to have its impact on me. The sun started to punch holes in the sky in order to bless me. The Loons never completely stopped their incredibly therapeutic songs the entire time I was there. The soft lapping of water on almost every side of me in surround sound was like being lovingly rocked in a cradle. Not having to set up, cook and eat in the rain was a tremendous blessing. And to top it all off, the sun hung out with me long enough to bless me with a stunning and unique sunset backlighting much of its beauty off the remaining dark rain clouds. The scent of rain was still wafting through on gentle breezes only without the rain itself. Everything smelled fresh and clean.
The Antlers Campsite was an instant favorite, and I was immediately reaping the rejuvenating benefits. I was becoming a new and better version of me.
Psalm 30:11–12 – You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, to the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.
Favorites are so critical to a hiker’s, or anyone’s, general well-being. Thankfully, many of our favorites can be self-generated, and it is the wise who take the care and time necessary to make preparations for them to happen.
Sometimes we see a long line in town though, or just feel pressed for time and think, “I’ll just skip taking the time to do or get this or that favorite this time.” Then oftentimes down the trail we all to soon find ourselves running running out of gas, realizing how much more fuel that favorite would have provided us. Instead of continuing to stride down the trail, I’m now kicking my butt down the trail. 😢
Thankfully we can learn from our short sightedness concerning favorites, cut or losses, suck it up and not miss out on future fuel sources.
Psalm 94:18–19 – If I say, “My foot slips (I messed up and/or am in need), “Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up. In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.
There are certainly good reasons for passing up a favorite here and there along our journey though. Too many favorites all at once can neutralize their benefits. I can’t eat too many of those Caramel Creams or I may end up not even liking them. (It’s happened to all of us.) 🤢
We just need to be wise and discern our internal gas gage and consider whether we are getting close to running low or are becoming saturated with something. There is a big difference between something I’d like to enjoy and something I need to have.
Psalm 16:11 – You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
There is no way to hike the AT, or live life anywhere for that matter, and not experience the measure of anxiety that comes with it. The thing is though, we can limit some of that anxiety with wise planning and by not minimizing unexpected blessings. Ecclesiastes 7:14a – In the day of prosperity be joyful…
Plan, welcome and anticipate the rejuvenating benefits of experiencing favorites along life’s adventure. Maybe invent a little “happy dance” to acknowledge and celebrate each occasion. Make reflecting on the favorite parts of your day a daily practice at bedtime, even if on some days getting to finally go to bed is the only one. 😊
Philippians 4:8 – Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Faith Aids 