A somewhat common belief about long distance hiking is that you will have plenty of time to think. Figure out your troubles, work through problems, and contemplate deep thoughts. As I have a tedious tendency to obsessively think as it is, I think there was a reasonable belief that an abundance of trail thinking would drive me a bit over the edge.

Shockingly this has not been the case. In fact, thinking while hiking has been rather difficult. Despite the trail being graded for horses and there being an organization behind its upkeep, traipsing along it requires a certain amount of concentration. Rocks, roots, cliff edges, poison oak, poodle dog bush, stream crossings, et cetera. Throw in a pack that is averaging 28 pounds, two hiking poles to manage, and days of 20+ miles...and you have a recipe for a consistent need to focus.

At the end of the day you are usually so tired, you simply want food, bed, and maybe a bit of relaxation, which for hikers seems to be either smoking, drinking, TV watching, or for a select few it is reading a book. I just finished my fifth book and have spent an entire town afternoon in the library, so I think we know what camp I belong to.

Yet, saying all that, I have had time to think. Had an entire afternoon where I had Taylor Swift's "22" in my head on repeat (damn catchy song). Spent an hour outside the grocery store in Wrightwood talking to a local pediatrician about the trail, my wavering desire to pursue some manner of career in medicine, and his own experience combined with that of two of his children (end all: he strongly encouraged me to go back and finish pre-med).

Also have thought quite a bit about what I want out of the rest of my life. Reviewing in my head what I have been most proud of in my life, what I regret the most, the principles I still hold, and how it all might fit together into at least a direction, if not a firm goal.

Nothing firm yet, but it has been interesting to see what has come to light. A regret I did not realize was so potent has reared its head and a principle I used to strongly hold to has lost quite a bit of its steam. And I am not even past the one month of hiking mark. Could be fun seeing what else slides/pops/wiggles into my consciousness on the trail.