There’s a lot of wonderful stuff $1 can still buy you these days.  Sure a solitary dollar bill won’t get you into a movie theater or a gallon of gas anymore, but it can still afford you some of the worlds greatest luxuries, like a cold and tasty ice cream sandwich.  I’m not one to buy sugary, unhealthy snacks too often, but let me tell you how $1 bought me the world’s greatest ice cream sandwich after hiking 40 miles of the Appalachian Trail.

My first Trip To The Great Smokey Mountains

We’d been on the trail for 4 days hiking up and down magnificent tree-coated mountains having a grand old time.  I don’t know if I’ve ever had a better vacation experience.  I hung out with some cool family members, got an amazing workout, learned a lot about backpacking, and explored the hundreds of individual ecosystems that exist within the Smokey mountains.

Hiking food tastes pretty ok, but it’s never quite as good as cooking in a real kitchen.  For breakfast we’d make oatmeal and coffee, lunch was pitas and peanut butter, and dinners were some sort of noodle dish that always tasted 70% like what it was supposed to taste like.  The snacks were mostly jerky and of course trail mix with plenty of chocolate. I made sure that we carried enough food, which always made for a good reward each evening.

I guess the one aspect I wasn’t quite prepared for was the exhaustion.  10 miles doesn’t sound like all that far to walk on flat ground, but lugging a pack up thousands of feet, and then back down a few times a day really starts to wear on your muscles.  I’ve done plenty of endurance races (marathons, triathlons, mud races), but they never lasted 12 hours+.  It was grueling while I was at the bottom of the mountain looking up, but you can’t beat the pride of having taken in on and come out victorious.

The Last Day

Anyway, the last day, we had to descend about 3,000 feet over 12 miles, which actually sounded pretty easy compared the previous day’s hike.  It sounded easy, that is, until it started down pouring.  Maybe it’s because I don’t spend most of my time outdoors, but I guess I don’t get totally soaked to the core too often.  The skies opened up and it really felt like being in a shower.  Even with all my rain gear, I got unbelievably wet.  Although it did stop raining once for us to see the most amazing view from a rocky outcropping.

By the time we made it down to the bottom of the trail, my pack weighed about 30% more and I was ready to finish up.  The trail then took us about a mile along a road, and then to finish up we walked across Fontana Dam (which is worth seeing on it’s own…  It’s gigantic!).  As soon as I stepped onto the Dam, the rain cleared away and the sun came out as we made our way to our car.  And that’s when I spotted the worlds greatest $1 ice cream sandwich.

The Dam visitor center sold postcards, tee shirts, and pre-made $1 ice cream.  We each selected one, stripped off our soaking, stinking clothing, and bit into ice cream sandwiches as the warm sun warmed our bodies.  We must have looked a little odd to all the Dam tourists that wondered by, but it ranks among the greatest desserts I’ve ever experienced.

Challenging Yourself Is Always Worth It

That’s the great thing about challenging yourself, and accomplishing meaty goals.  It makes the rest of life that much sweeter when you succeed.  Most Americans have decided the opposite.  They sit in their air conditioned homes, drive their luxury vehicles, and eat massive amounts of unhealthy delicacies each day.  The point I’m trying to make is that sometimes it’s worth doing something the old fashioned way just to appreciate what we’ve already got.  Because if you can’t take extreme pleasure in something as simple as a $1 ice cream sandwich, I think it’s time to reexamine your priorities.

What do you appreciate more after a challenge? How do you reward yourself after a victory?

Lately my mile long commute to the train station has been getting a little less challenging and quite a bit more enjoyable.  Each morning and evening I walk down a tree lined road on the north side of Chicago to start my day and it’s just a great time to be outside.  I don’t need a coat anymore, and it just seems like the sun is always shining.

It’s a wonderful morning and evening ritual that I’ve come to love.  I walk a mile to the train, and then ride the train out to the suburb where I work.  It helps with my walking goal, and I’m able to listen to great podcasts, and I’m able to get a lot of reading/blog commenting done while on the train.  Sure it takes a little bit longer to get to work than if I just gave up and drove, but it’s a commute I’ve come to truly enjoy even when the weather isn’t so perfect (plus it’s way cheaper than driving).

And today, I’d like to talk about getting through the public transit commute on days that aren’t so picturesque.  Like when there’s a foot of snow on the ground, it’s 100 degrees at 6AM , or when the monsoon style rains flood the highways.  I will say that crazy weather like this doesn’t actually happen that often, so most of my commutes have been uneventful and pleasant, but weather disasters happen every once in a while.  I’ve had to acquire some important commuting survival gear over the past few years, so I’d like to share with you how much it costs to effectively protect yourself against all elements and get to work in one piece.

Rugged Backpack – $90

I’d argue that the backpack is the most important and versatile weapon in your armory.  I tried commuting for a few weeks without this amazing pack, and the results were horrendous.  Brief cases and large messenger bags just aren’t great for walking longer distances.  They swing around, make one side of your body sore, and don’t actually fit that much stuff.  Sure they look great, but they’re no match for a well made backpack.

Sure, my backpack cost quite a bit, but I’ve used it on literally every commute for the last two  years and it’s still good as new.  It’s waterproof, has all kind of compartments, a nice little pouch for my computer, and it even tighten-able straps that hug right to your body.  It’s even got little hip straps that fold out if you’re having a really tough day.

Warm Parka – $100

I can’t say enough about needing a well made warm parka.  I was able to pick up Columbia parka on the clearance rack at Marshalls last year and it’s been invaluable.  There are just so many days when it’s under 40 degrees at 6 AM.  There’s nothing worse than getting a quarter of a mile into your walk and realizing that your coat isn’t warm enough.  Trust me, it’ll ruin your whole day.

Sturdy Umbrella/Raincoat – $8 to $90

Although I think rain gear is important, if the rain gods want to soak you, a little $8 piece of plastic aint gonna stop them… That being said, for the light to moderate rain days, an umbrella or raincoat should work just fine.  I’ve got both that I whip out at any time.

I don’t go anywhere without my $8 umbrella in my backpack.  I’ve just been caught one too many times without it.  But I only whip out my raincoat when it’s warm out, and the rain is supposed to be terrential.  This is where it starts to get expensive.  My raincoat cost me about $60 (it’s a good one for hiking), and it’s quite good quality.  Cheap raincoats don’t breath very well, so you’ll get a little hot inside.  It’s the most uncomfortable feeling in the world when you are getting soaked on the outside, but your raincoat is baking you on the inside.  It’s like there’s no way out.

Commuting Boots – $120

I’m glad I didn’t skimp on boots.  I got this pair when I went on my Grand Canyon adventure last year.  They’ve served me well in all manner of conditions.  For commuting, I typically only  wear them in heavy rain or deep snow, but they’re a necessity.  I’ve been caught a few times in tennis shoes in heavy rain, and my socks got soaked and stayed wet the whole day.  It was absolutely worth the investment for a good quality pair of boots that fit you well.

Insulated Coffee Mug – $30

I’ve talked about my insulated coffee mug before.  It keeps coffee piping hot for hours even in the sub-zero temperatures.  It seals tightly so it doesn’t spill a drop when you throw it in your bag.  It’s just an amazing feeling to take a sip of gloriously hot coffee after a mile hike through the snow.

Smartphone/Book – Free

Well you gotta have something to play your podcasts while you’re walking, and something to read once you hit the train.  Having these little devices increases my satisfaction with my commute about 1,000%.  I’d say Google Reader and my podcast app are certainly my most accessed apps.  It also gives me a good opportunity to check the morning’s emails and respond to anything that’s urgent before I actually get to the office.

Although I do advise bringing a library book with you on public transit, you’ve got to be careful about weight.  I’ve actually put down books at the library that are too large.  There are enough good books that won’t weigh you down that it’s not worth checking out the heavy ones, trust me.  I guess another solution would be a Kindle or a Nook, but I haven’t gone that route yet.

 Is there any commuting gear you’ve got that I didn’t list?  What could you not do your commute without?