Zero Day - March 12th

On March 11th Bob got "off trail" to stay at a hostel in order to get his clothes washed, take a shower, eat better food and prepare for the next leg of his journey. The number and frequency of "zero days" - days when a hiker does not accumulate any mileage - is unique to the person, their goals and physical needs. Bob had no specific plan when he started. He wanted to see how his body would handle things first.

Upon arrival, he took a shower and changed into shorts and a t-shirt he had brought with him (although hostels do offer "loaner clothes"). They washed his clothes for him and he went into town with others to get real food. The grocery store was like Wegmen's, he said, so he got a big salad and some chicken tenders. The next day he made a pizza back at the hostel. He said his weight appears to be stable, which is good news for his calorie consumption, though it may be redistributing a bit.

When we spoke that day, he was sitting in the sunshine at a picnic table, munching on pizza and talking to other hikers as they moved about the hostel. Some were friends he has made along the way. One was a new arrival, getting a tour of the hostel. He spoke to that person while we were on the phone and said he thinks he's the old guy on the trail. The other person said he's 47 and asked how old Bob is. He laughed and said "I'm 63!" The other guy replied that if he's made it this far he's doing great. The positivity and encouragement of the people around him has been the best part, it seems.

I finally heard a few more details about his first couple of days. In particular, for those of you would found and read my earliest posts, he did indeed "take a faceplant" (his words) as I feared. Since he learned how to fall safely at a young age (something I never learned) his face was mostly protected from the fall, although the lens of his (brand new!) glasses popped out and had to be popped back in. He got a small cut and some bruises but, on the whole, he was not badly hurt. However, it was a defining moment when he could have decided to give up. And yet, he didn't. I'm so proud of him! (And so glad he wasn't eated by wild bears.)

My brother Jim was eager to hear about Bob receiving his trail name. There's some controversy on this subject according to what I have seen on YouTube and what I have read. Traditionalists believe you must receive your trail name on the trail from another hiker. Bob chose to do something different. He asked me to give him his trail name, which I thought was so sweet. With no notice and only a moment's thought, I named him Builder. He is a woodworker, of course, and a model boat builder, but he also spent a career building and executing plans and relationships with contractors and partners. He IS a builder in so many ways. And although some may snigger and think of the kid's cartoon, Bob the Builder, I think the name fits. And if you recall the theme song to Bob the Builder, part of it says "yes we can!" Well, in this case, for those who may still be wondering if Bob can do this, I say "yes HE can." He may not complete the whole thing this year - or ever, and he won't win any speed records, but I do believe he is going to continue to have a challenging and amazing journey.

Week two is well underway! Rock on, Builder!