Miles: 109.2 | Biscuits, blogging, wandering town, and one last loop through Outdoor 76 as uncertainty about the trail ahead lingers. Between potluck taquitos, board games, and helping build something real with our hands, guilt starts to creep in — until a simple truth reframes everything. Not all progress is measured in miles, and sometimes staying still teaches you exactly what moving forward means.
Donn made us biscuits, eggs, and asparagus for breakfast! After breakfast, I blogged and Michelin read his book. We went into town with Donn where he had an art class. They needed new tires on their car so we went with Donn to drop the car off and we agreed to pick up the car and pick him up at his art class when it was over.
Michelin and I walked to Rathskeller (a coffee shop/taproom). Then to Outdoor 76 one last time (we are addicted). We made a loose plan for the the next week. Mostly we just looked ahead at the guidebook to get familiar with the next 40 miles but really didn’t know how to make a plan because the weather was so crazy.
We hung out at the park for a bit and met some other hikers that were walking by.
In that moment I kind of I felt like we weren’t real thru-hikers anymore because we had been in town so long. I started feeling anxious again and annoyed with myself for not hiking more.
Anyway, after we got the car we went to Ingles and then back to Donn and Sandi’s house. They were having a potluck at their church tonight and invited Michelin and I to join them there. We decided to make some taquitos for the potluck. Before we cooked we helped Donn install a new cabinet that he had made for their kitchen that they are renovating. At the church we met some of their friends and played some board games: Exploding Kittens and Ticket to Ride. It was really fun!
When we got back to the house Michelin and I were exhausted. We talked about how we were feeling and how nervous we were that we might be overstaying our welcome. Donn invited us to stay one more night. He also asked us to join him for a concrete countertop project the next day. We decided to stay one last night. I told Michelin how I was feeling guilty and lazy and I was worried about not making miles or progress. Michelin made a very good point about this. He said:
Progress does not always have to be forward.
And he’s right. These past few days with Donn and Sandi I learned so much about myself, what I want my home to be like when I finish the trail, things I could do with my future, things about myself and my anxiety, and what community can be. It’s amazing how much you can feel and see and do in just a few days.