Day 2

Well you’ve made it through the first night. The people in the tent next to you whispered and giggled for about an hour before a hush fell over the entire field of tents. You have discovered that two grown adults and all of their gear just almost fit in a small tent. The toughest thing you had to do was find your tent after you had to get up and pee (hopefully at least twice or you are not hydrating enough). “Things that go bump in the night” consists of port-a-potty doors slamming. Slowly but surely the camp comes to life. The giggling and whispering start all over again.
It is tough to leave the comfort of lying on the ground and you are going to be pretty stiff from the night life you just had. In fact here is a point where all of the stretching techniques you have learned will come in handy. Probably the most daunting task you have today is taking down your tent and fitting all of your stuff back into your pack. It seems to have grown or something from the time you last packed up in the hotel or at home. Breakfast will be healthy and the hot coffee definitely hits the spot. Be extra sure to stretch every chance you get while in camp.
Finally they will let you out on the trail. This morning’s start will not be as crazy as the first day’s but you will still be charged with the enthusiasm which washes over the entire camp. So there you go. By now you are an old pro at grab and go’s and pit stops. In fact your body will probably tell you when to expect them. Unslinging your butt pack to hit the port-a-potty and what to do with it while you are in there is second nature to you now (remember the advice about the purse holder now). Lunch will probably be a wrap and it will probably be healthy. Right about now is when I find it hard to walk past a McDonalds (these places are handy if you want a real bathroom but it is polite to buy something of course).
For me, the afternoon of Day 2 has always been the hardest part. About an hour after lunch I get the “poor me’s”. My feet hurt, my legs hurt, the straps on my pack are rubbing me the wrong way, etc, etc, etc. Fortunately for me every year at this time I run into an inspiration. Once it was a walker who had stopped in a cul-de-sac and was hitting her asthma inhaler hard. Once it was a walker whom when I walked up behind her was walking like she had pulled a muscle, nope she was actually disabled and that was the way she normally walked. I guess the best one was when I was actually considering stopping the sweep van I was passed by a walker with an artificial leg. My point guys, is that yes you are going to hurt no matter how hard you have trained. Yes you are going to be tired. You have to go deep into yourself and remember why you are doing what you are doing. We are walking for life. Every dollar and every step means hope. And trust me no matter how you feel on the trail you can always look around and see a survivor, a widower, a daughter who lost her Mom and be inspired to keep on keeping on. This is what it is all about.
Finally you reach camp. God bless the Girl and Boy Scouts who have come over to set up your tent. It is really the little things now. You are a camp veteran and know how to find the shortest shower line (it’s at the men’s shower J). There will be a healthy meal (I have always taken an MRE (Meals, Ready to Eat) for the second night. High calorie and a bit nostalgic for me. The announcements will be made, there will be some entertainment. Some folks actually have the energy to dance.
For me, the second night has always been the best. Two down and one to go. Didn’t have to pitch my own tent. And the best part is that tomorrow is the greatest day of the journey. You will cross the finish line! You have done it! Awesome!!!!