Published by Craig Corti on 5/28/2023
Think for a second, does a fresh coat of paint change the identity of an object being painted?
I began my trail running trip yesterday at Dicks Creek Gap located on US route 76 in north Georgia. This is the last public road crossing on the Appalachian Trail (AT) headed northbound before the NC/GA border.
I prescribed myself a total of 17.4 miles round trip. My goal was run half way, snap a few photos of the NC/GA signage at the border, turn around and make my way back. Fully expecting a physically demanding journey, I engaged my Old-Timer Mindset. What I didn't expect was to come home and write to you all about the symbolism behind...paint. Plain ol' paint.
Climbing out of the gap was like stepping into a different world. The limbs of gangly old oak trees whispered words of encouragement as I ran by. The dense forest welcomed me to a place of solace just as I imagine it had for the Cherokee and Creek people who were indigenous to the area for thousands of years.
By nature, trail running requires you to pay close attention to where you are stepping. Otherwise, you'll end up tumbling sooner than you can say "Hi" to the fellow adventurer you are trying to greet.
This level of focus keeps me on my feet, but it takes my attention away from the forest at large. With this in mind, I made an effort to take pit stops along the way to absorb the sights, smells, and sounds of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest.
As I was "forest bathing" one of the standard AT trail markers caught my eye.
Quick info session about AT trail markers...
The entire 2,190+ mile National Scenic Trail spanning from Georgia to Maine is marked by 2in. x 6in. white blazes painted on trees (or other objects). The idea is that at least one blaze is visible from the vantage point of another. Whether a hiker is headed northbound (NOBO) or southbound (SOBO), these blazes guide individuals on their journey.
While white paint marks the footpath, blue blazes mark water sources, shelters, and side trails. If someone refers to a yellow blaze in reference to the AT, this is usually informally referring to being shuttled via car to another location further down the trail (yellow lines on a roadway = "yellow blazing").
...back to the story
This blaze in particular had clearly been victimized by father time and a trail volunteer from the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club must have slapped a fresh coat of paint on it recently.
It caught my attention because the original blaze was a fraction wider than the newer blaze, exposing the chipped paint of the former.
This spoke volumes to me. Beauty is in the details!
I thought, "ya know, sometimes you just need a fresh coat of paint".
There was nothing inherently wrong with the chipped blaze. It just needed a helping hand to truly shine.
Any hiker would have recognized the original blaze. It still served a purpose. Stood as a beacon of opportunity.
The blaze was jaded, but stood firmly for who knows how many years before some kind soul came along to volunteer their hand.
The blaze wasn't compromised. No. It still had good bones (a wise woman once shared this phrase with me). It had its originality among a sea of what may appear to be clones. I was still able to recognize where the blaze had come from and where it stands today.
I, a mere vagabond enjoying the trail for the day, was able to hear the story it had to tell.
Final thoughts:
The white paint is symbolic of life. You may feel beat up, helpless, jaded, chipped, or perhaps unrecognizable to yourself somewhere along the way.
Someone will still recognize you for who you are, so let them offer support.
Take the help when its offered.
Sometimes you need a fresh coat of paint.
Stay youthful.
-Craig Corti, Old-Timer Mindset
Think for a second, does a fresh coat of paint change the identity of an object being painted?
I began my trail running trip yesterday at Dicks Creek Gap located on US route 76 in north Georgia. This is the last public road crossing on the Appalachian Trail (AT) headed northbound before the NC/GA border.
I prescribed myself a total of 17.4 miles round trip. My goal was run half way, snap a few photos of the NC/GA signage at the border, turn around and make my way back. Fully expecting a physically demanding journey, I engaged my Old-Timer Mindset. What I didn't expect was to come home and write to you all about the symbolism behind...paint. Plain ol' paint.
Climbing out of the gap was like stepping into a different world. The limbs of gangly old oak trees whispered words of encouragement as I ran by. The dense forest welcomed me to a place of solace just as I imagine it had for the Cherokee and Creek people who were indigenous to the area for thousands of years.
By nature, trail running requires you to pay close attention to where you are stepping. Otherwise, you'll end up tumbling sooner than you can say "Hi" to the fellow adventurer you are trying to greet.
This level of focus keeps me on my feet, but it takes my attention away from the forest at large. With this in mind, I made an effort to take pit stops along the way to absorb the sights, smells, and sounds of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest.
As I was "forest bathing" one of the standard AT trail markers caught my eye.
Quick info session about AT trail markers...
The entire 2,190+ mile National Scenic Trail spanning from Georgia to Maine is marked by 2in. x 6in. white blazes painted on trees (or other objects). The idea is that at least one blaze is visible from the vantage point of another. Whether a hiker is headed northbound (NOBO) or southbound (SOBO), these blazes guide individuals on their journey.
While white paint marks the footpath, blue blazes mark water sources, shelters, and side trails. If someone refers to a yellow blaze in reference to the AT, this is usually informally referring to being shuttled via car to another location further down the trail (yellow lines on a roadway = "yellow blazing").
...back to the story
This blaze in particular had clearly been victimized by father time and a trail volunteer from the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club must have slapped a fresh coat of paint on it recently.
It caught my attention because the original blaze was a fraction wider than the newer blaze, exposing the chipped paint of the former.
This spoke volumes to me. Beauty is in the details!
I thought, "ya know, sometimes you just need a fresh coat of paint".
There was nothing inherently wrong with the chipped blaze. It just needed a helping hand to truly shine.
Any hiker would have recognized the original blaze. It still served a purpose. Stood as a beacon of opportunity.
The blaze was jaded, but stood firmly for who knows how many years before some kind soul came along to volunteer their hand.
The blaze wasn't compromised. No. It still had good bones (a wise woman once shared this phrase with me). It had its originality among a sea of what may appear to be clones. I was still able to recognize where the blaze had come from and where it stands today.
I, a mere vagabond enjoying the trail for the day, was able to hear the story it had to tell.
Final thoughts:
The white paint is symbolic of life. You may feel beat up, helpless, jaded, chipped, or perhaps unrecognizable to yourself somewhere along the way.
Someone will still recognize you for who you are, so let them offer support.
Take the help when its offered.
Sometimes you need a fresh coat of paint.
Stay youthful.
-Craig Corti, Old-Timer Mindset