BackLog #2: MyTrailnaming (Day 8)

It's now 1/2 a week later, and I'm starting out easily in the morning after my first 20 mile day. About 4 miles up trail I've already all but devoured all the snacks I'd left near the surface, and was leaning over a trailside spring to load up one quart before ascending Albert Mountain - since heard referred to as "Albert the [expletive] Wall"

That's when I heard them coming. Spring Breakers. You can hear Spring Breakers coming, but this bunch could be heard a mile away. 4 of the rounding the bend.

"Hey I like your hiking skirt!" called the one working the dreads.
KG: "Thanks, how's it going?"
"Great!"
"We're on Spring Break!"
"It's Awesome!"
KG: "Yeah? Where you coming from?"
"We go to school in Alabama."
KG: "Alright. Where did you stay last night?"
"Uhmmm.."
"What was that called?"
"I don't remember"
KG: "Cold Spring?"
"Yeah! That was it!"
"How about you?"
KG: "Last night I was at Carter Gap."
"Are you a Thru-hiker?!"
KG: I'm working on it
"That's amazing- Youre gonna make it" said the kid decked out in orange. "Do you write about it? Like is there a place to read about what you're doing out here? Cause I would totally follow you. But not in a creepy sort of way!"
KG: "Yeah I write. My brother posts some for me when I get a chance to call in. I'll give it to you."
"When did you start?"
"What's your trail name?"
KG: "Well, I started, ah- 8 days ago, and my name is Kristen. I don't have a trail name yet."
(this met with serious sighs of disappointment and crestfallen looks)
KG: "It's ok. I've only been out here a week. If I don't get one til Damascus it's ok. It's worth waiting for."
"Youre right"
"this is so amazing can I get my picture taken with you?"
Uhm sure
"You are such a Godsend"
KG: "Oh, ok."
"Gingersnap!!" yelled the kid working the dreads
KG: "Well there it is!"
"Are you seriously going to let us trail-name you?"
KG: "Sure"
"Dude, she's going to let us trail name her! Can you believe that?"
"I still can't believe her real name is Kristen."
KG: "Why?" (looking at the one girl in the group) "Is that your name?"
"No."
"But her parents wouldn't let her come if she was the only girl. So we told them Kristen was coming, and then they were ok with it. Kristen changed her mind though and didn't come after all so we've been trying to figure out how to explain to her parents why Kristen isn't in any of the pictures. But NOW- We have a picture with Kristen in it!!"


See, this is why I love college freshmen (give or take a year).
And no offense, but those who trail-name themselves don't get a good story with it. Patience is a virtue and good things come to those who wait.
So my trail-name is Gingersnap, and I hope out there somewhere are 4 kids from Alabama who enjoy the story, among a week of others, just as much as I.

Thin Mint even had sturdy little gingersnaps to share with me, basking in the sun with Lizard at the top of Albert Mountain. And someday perhaps I'll tell you why the name is so ironic for me to begin with.