Wednesday, November 19, 2008

What's in a Name?

Ok, so queen grasshopper has been bugging me to reveal the origin of my trail name, Croc. So here it is...

Croc

I will save the explanation of the best name for last, but for now...about 50 miles into our hike I felt like I was developing a blister on my left heal, so I tried various ways to limit the discomfort. As it turned out it was not a blister but my achilles tendon becoming irritated. Over the next few miles the discomfort got progressively worse until I felt that I could not wear my hiking boot any longer...so I took it off.


My Croc was the only thing that did not rub the back of my heal, I even tried my sneakers but with little luck so I wore my Croc for about 24 miles. We were sitting around near the end of the hike trying to figure out our trail names, Joe and Pop instantly said "your name is Croc".

Straight Leg

After Day 2 Joe's knee began to bother him and the weather was turning very cold, so we called Pop and had him pick us up early that day. Joe hiked the following two days keeping his left leg completely straight to minimize the movement in his knee. There were times on the trail that this was easy and other times it was very difficult; like when the left side of the trail was higher than the right side, or when we were climbing up (or down) a mountain. This continued for almost 28 miles until his knee finally started to feel better.


Moses

Dan did not hike this portion of the AT with us but has hiked with us on another section of the AT in Virginia called Three Ridges. Dan was new to hiking but fell in love with the solitude and beauty and prior to the trip picked up a great walking staff.


And thus the biblical name of Moses, for the record we did not have problems crossing any bodies of water nor issues with pestilence.

Bike / Strap


I struggled with how to explain this name, I decided to forego the picture and simply give the following background information. My father (Pop) was kind enough to commit to supporting us in our quest of hiking the AT. He drove down with us, met us at road crossings for re-supply, brought us Dr. Pepper (yes I am addicted), and drove all around North Georgia. Pop probably knows more about North Georgia roads than he cares to. He put us up for a warm night in a cabin, met us for short hikes on the trail, transported hikers into town, and made friends with hotel owners. Bike was our invaluable "support" during our hike. His name was his own suggestion, and it was brilliant!

For those who need just a little more explanation, Bike is a brand of athletic supporter (commonly known as a jockstrap).

7 comments:

Molly and Jeremy said...

that looks like a creepy hotel you stayed in.

Anonymous said...

YOUR DAD KILLS ME!!!

Anonymous said...

Ah patience has paid off for the Queen Grasshopper... so gratified to know the origins of the names that must come on the trail and must feel right...
Ohm... Ohm... Ohm... Ohm...

Anonymous said...

I think that Joe's name should be "Rockette!"

Chris said...

ok bex, why?

Meghann said...

cause he has SUCH pretty legs!!! (and he looks like is stretching to do some nice kicks in that photo)

Vanessa said...

here i am chris! commenting...
ps your croc story made me laugh.