Pic 4/7--Mile 240--somewhere outside of Asheville Dear Andrew, I write to you today using the modern marvel of the interwebs because I am off trail in a real human house with real human walls and real non-human cats. I survived the Smokies and saw three wild turkeys so I think it's safe to say I'm living the dream. I'm at a friend's house outside of Asheville, a retired woman in her 50s who goes by Lambchop. She's a wildly speedy hiker who speaks with a friendly southern twang and instantly makes you feel like you've always known her. Her partner rescued us from the pit of despair known as unexpected freezing temperatures and wild storms with pizza, smoothies, fresh fruit, and best of all--a ride back to their house to soothe our weary souls and cleanse our blisters. Did I mention that I have like, a lot of blisters now? Thank you, soggy socks and wild Smoky storms. Here's a recap of the Smokies, as told through the few pictures I could get when I wasn't busy getting blasted with 30 mph wind or hiking through confusingly unseasonable snow. *Pictures attached below* NOT PICTURED: Hiking nine miles in a torrential downpour, getting everything I owned entirely soaked, sleeping in soggy and smelly and overcrowded shelters filled with old snoring men, hiking twenty miles a day for two days in a row to escape dangerous weather, meeting new friends, doubting myself constantly, eating way too many clif bars, surprising myself constantly, burning the last few pages of "The Waves" by Virginia Woolf, and of course, as always, continuing to walk. I will return to the trail tomorrow refreshed and replenished and filled to the brim with specially-made vegetarian chili, brownies, and all the fresh fruit and vegetables I've fantasized about while eating instant rice out of a ziplock bag. Lambchop and her partner Chris have given me a comfortable bed, hearty home-cooked meals, insightful wisdom, quality time with two lovable cats, and the irrepressible feeling that people are kind and good. I am trying to be cool, but I am blown away by the generosity, hospitality, and love emanating from these two. So I mostly just say "thank you" every three minutes and internally vow to do the same for another weary soul when I have the means one day. Oh, and Chris and I discovered that we are both alumni of good ol' Montgomery Blair High, albeit 44 years apart. What a delightfully weird world it is to walk 240 miles in (and counting!) I hope you have a wonderful time in Germany! And entirely unrelated, I hear that you may have a sister whose diet is now 60% chocolate... Love, Laura
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LettersThese are the letters that Laura has sent her brother over the course of her hike. They are faithfully and painstakingly transcribed in their entirety. They are meant to keep people updated on how many facts she has learned about trees. Archives
July 2017
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