Mile 290. Kambucha.

My friend Nicolas and I were quiet as his car rolled into the Hot Springs trail head parking lot.

My mind was going over my upcoming schedule and the corresponding elevation profile. I will be in the wilderness for seven straight days - the longest stretch without a break since I started this adventure a month ago. What’s more, I’m pushing mileage in anticipation of a five-day hiking hiatus to celebrate a friend’s big award in New York City next week. This is not going to be easy.

“Do you want to get one of those kambuchas?” I asked.

Artisum Gallery & Cafe in Hot Springs is known for their kambucha on tap. My favorite is the spicy red one - with ginger, tumeric and capsaicin.

As we sipped our kambuchas in the store front, my planned hiking start time stretched from the original 8:00 to 8:30, then to 9:00, and then to 9:30.

Finally Nicolas gave me the gentle nudge that I needed. “You know, the trail is what it is. Don’t over think those climbs. Just take your time; and it will all get done in due time.”

He is right. And I do know that. The transition, though, from comfortable to uncomfortable is more than I am eager to do at the moment. Is there a life-snooze button I can press somewhere?

Alas. It’s time to get going. I set down my drink. I silently load up my pack, snap the straps, grab my poles. And I walk across the bridge to start the climb into my next chapter of the Appalachian Trail.