The People You Meet

It may be hard to believe, but hiking through the woods and across the mountain tops on the AT is not really a solo experience. A lot of people are out here hiking on the trail! However, I generally like to do my hiking alone.
You meet some very interesting folks out here! Total strangers, really.. But besides hiking, what else do I have to do? Interact with these people!
I was staying at Kincora Hostel, one of the most reputable hostels on the entire trail, and it was packed! The hostel was full, the tent sites were taken, etc. People were even sleeping in the laundry room! But what a fun time it was swapping trail stories and singing along to "Wagon Wheel" while Gravity strummed his guitar. Some of the guys even got mohawks and their nails painted by the few girls present. I received the Hair Award. Most people couldn't believe how smooth/silky/straight my hair is and everyone was touching it. One girl even entertained us that evening by showing us her "fire spinning" talents. Bob Peoples, the owner and operator of Kincora, walked in and saw the mingling that was going on and said it best in his Boston/Elmer Fud accent: "that's why there's no TV or computer here... it's about the people."
Such a melting pot of people are out here.. you're bound to find someone you mesh with. Or, more importantly, you're bound to learn something about yourself.. should you indeed choose to throw yourself into these situations where you have to interact with people from all walks of life.
Here's a steller picture of Overmountain Shelter, a converted barn. It was taken while climbing up Hump Mountain onto Houston Ridge. You can click on the picture to enlarge it.. Also, the itinerary link was updated as well.