What's In A Name?

What's in a name, or in our case, a "trail name"?  According to The Pacific Crest Trail Hiker Glossary (yes there is one) the "trail name" is defined thus:   

A nickname used by a hiker. A trail name can be chosen by the hiker prior to the hike, but is considered more official if it is given to the hiker during the hike. A trail name often derives from an unusual, humorous or significant characteristic or event associated with the hiker. Sometimes it will derive from something the hiker says or something that is said to the hiker. A trail name is said to "stick" if the hiker accepts the trail name and other hikers begin to know him by that name. The tradition of using trail names started on the Appalachian Trail, and has spread to the Pacific Crest and Continental Divide Trails. 
 
Trail names tend to be unique to a particular hiker and are thought to be a better way of identifying a hiker than his given name (How many Johns are on the trail at any one time?) or a description (The tall skinny guy with the shaggy beard and muscular legs. He was wearing a polyester T-shirt, nylon shorts and a backpack. Last I saw him, he was walking north.)

So…what's in a trail name? A lot, sometimes, or perhaps only chance and a funny joke.  In my case, I have already given a fair amount of thought to what I want to achieve from this hike concerning my own personal growth, but I'm sure I will learn things I have never dreamt.  This is why I've taken as my personal muse- little fat birds. 

Just to be clear…"yes", I do realize that "What the heck?" would be a perfectly reasonable response, and "no", I'm not obsessed about my weight.  In fact, the birds aren't even fat, but they look fat and puffed out when they are happy and carefree. I'm sure they have stress in their lives but  they enjoy the moment rather than stress on the future.  I would love to learn to be like that!  So, I think I shall be known as Fat Bird.  (Thanks to Flaviano at True Art Jewelers who made me a "Fat Bird" charm for my necklace)

Be as  bird perched on a frail branch that she feels bending beneath her,

Still she sings away, all the same, knowing she has wings!

-Victor Hugo