It is really really hard to send updates when you are sooo tired all the time. All muscles are hurting. Really, really every one of them is hurting! Then at the shelter, I have to do chores, such as getting water from Alaska or India, cooking boring dehydrated food, inflating sleeping mat while trying to not get dizzy, changing clothes and drying the sweaty ones etc.
I know, I know you must be thinking why do this trail if I am going to complain. Sorry if it sounded like whining. It was not. Just continue reading below please!
In last 3-4 days, heaven had descended on earth. There was that foggy day just after rain, one surprise full moon night and one beautiful clear sky during the day. Even Tejas (my son) who was dropping me off at the trailhead told me to say “hi” to Ganapati Bappa and Vishnu (two Indian gods) when I started my walk on the trail. Even he had taken the heaven for granted on the trail! No wonder that the most beautiful things of the world are one with the nature.
I had a roadblock 3. Yesssss, bingo! It is called bull’s eye. Ticks got me before I got them. Fortunately Tejas was around. We immediately went to emergency room as soon as we noticed, and the doctor promptly provided medication for 21 days. Things are completely under control and now when I wander in heaven on earth, I can claim to be fully adorned with awesome jewelry.
Another memorable moment in my life was a St Joseph’s prayer by Leaky Boots for my success and safety. It ends by saying “Divine providence can provide, divine providence did provide and divine providence will provide.” Imagine a devout Catholic praying for a proud Hindu for his safety. Both of us cried after that prayer. It would be so awesome only if if every one of the 6.5 billion people walk on the trail and experience such a simple, basic, heartfelt and beautiful humanity!
On day 12 now, I have crossed 100 miles (105 miles exact), climbed +20,000 ft, crossed Shenendoah National park. Life can not be more beautiful and hard at the same time.
My updates are not like my polished blogs. Please accept my apologies !!!!!
Wonderful buddy
105 is great…..
Keep it up.
Great going. Thanks for sharing. All the best.
Fantastic. Great going.
Keep plodding. Brilliant. Congratulations on completion of your first 100 miles
Great to hear from you Nitin. Great pictures! Keep walking… and sharing your progress
Wow, what an experience and a great write-up! Looks like you got the Lyme nailed at the offset. Lage raho, Dadhi!
Wow!!! Very nicely described and awesome going!
Great to see your updates. very inspiring.
Really enjoying your updates. I hope your body gets used to the routine, and the aches and pains ease up.
Congratulations on the 1st 100miles and best wishes for the next. Keep going stay safe.
Bravo Nitin!!!
Quite the adventure! Beautiful pics. How peaceful.
Good Job Nitin …. Keep it up and please stay safe!
Conggratulations on your First Century !!!
Many more to come … all the best!
Great job!! First 100 miles
Great to read that, Nitin! How can your updates be ‘polished’ when you walk amongst Gods that reside in a place that has raw beauty?! Keep them coming. Unpolished is good 🙂
Love the update. Chale chalo, aage badho
Thanks for the update. Please keep them coming – looking forward to the next one.
Your updates just transport me to wilderness and the heaven you are describing! You are an inspiration to us!
Stay safe.
Keep on Truckin” Brother.
चल अकेला चलअकेला चल अकेला
तेरा मेला पीछे छूटा राही चल अकेला.
I am hiking with you in spirit today. Someday I will make it there in person. Wish you lots of energy for the days and miles ahead.
Take care.
Rajesh Oak
Very Good Nitin.
Terrific! 100 miles is a great milestone! Keep it up!
I continue to be in awe and impressed. May the Force continue to be with you.
Congrats for the first century. Many more to come, I know. All the best!!
💯!
Congrats!
Congrats Nitin! 100 miles! This is so much fun to read about, can’t wait to hear more. Along with more of your song lyrics! (update 2)
Congratulations on your first 100 miles. Keep us posted with your unpolished updates. Thank you for posting beautiful pics and your experiences.
Awesome pics,Nitin.
Awesome experience!
Enjoying each and every update!
Lage raho!!!👍
Bravo! Completed first 100 miles! Agree on what you said about religion and humanity. All of us must foray into the forests and Nature for that. Our Hindi idiom” जंगल में मंगल perhaps refers to this mangal/ a true BLISS. We’d like to have you at our house. Varun will communicate with you. Good luck for your venture.
Prachi
Varun’s mom
You’ll be getting your “Trail legs” anyday now! Keep up the great work!
Congratulations on the first 100 miles!!!
Beautiful pics!!
Thanks and best luck!
Well done Nitin!!! Keep it up…
Wonderful. Take care दाढी
Amazing, stunning….Keep going mile by mile and getting stronger day by day! All the best……
Wow 100 miles pan zale 👏👏👏! Beautiful pics !! Enjoying all your updates!! Keep posting !!!
Beautiful pictures Nitin
You are INSANELY-INSPIRING, Nitin.
Wishing you that same heaven all the way to your last step on the trail, Mr.Trailblazer 😊
Deepa
👏👏
Congratulations on hitting your first century! 👏🏽
Bravo Nitin!! Best wishes for your continued AP journey. Take care.
Chalte raho blog likhte raho!!
105, Wah! Good going Daadhi!
Nitin,
Congratulations on completing 105 miles. Hats off to you. Also to Tejas for supporting you. I am enjoying reading these updates. Good Luke to you & we appreciate you writing these updates & sending pictures after long tiring days.
WOW Already completed 100 miles. Great going Nitin. Great accomplishment!!!
I enjoy reading your articles/ blogs
Congratulations on completion of the first milestone of 100 miles !
Foggy trail looks awesome … keep posting Nitin.
Wow!! 100 miles!
Heartiest Congratulations! That is an enormous achievement! From here on, 100 miles for you might seem like 10 miles 🙂 Best wishes for the rest of the journey!
Miles to go before I sleep ,miles to go before I sleep!
Leaky boots prayer resonates
सर्वे सुखिन सन्तु
सर्वे सन्तु निरामयः
सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्ति
मा कश्चिद दु:खम आपनुयात
Happy Plodding Daadhi !!!
Enjoy and Endure the beautiful nature at the same time !!!
Amazing Nitin ! Your 100 miles to Biden’s 100 days 🙂 stay safe and of course nature will take care of you as will the almighty 🙏🏻
Congrats on clearing thr 100 mile mark Nitin. You are inspiring several of us to walk that trail.
Nice pictures. Keep going Dadhi 👍👍
Wow. Keep moving and sharing 👍👍
Hi Dadhi! It’s Sugar Rush – I met you at Hightop Hut back on April 20. Great job finishing all of Shenandoah! Sorry to hear you got that tick bite. Keep going!
Hearty congratulations on your maiden century! Many more to come!! Wishing you grand success.
Lovely
Beautiful post. I am a good friend of Ed’s. Wishing you safe travels!
simply commendable! keep it up & take care!
Super awesome, Nitin! Congratulations on achieving the 100 miles mark. So inspired by your adventure. Great luck and best wishes!
12 दिवसात १०५ मैल उत्तमच आहे. तुझा food intake आणि होणाऱ्या शारिरीक श्रमाचे व्यवस्थित गणित जमले कि दिवसात १४ मैल सहज जमतील. अनेक शुभेच्छा
Thanks a lot for all your encouragement!