I love the trail...

I really do. You wouldn't think that from all the bitching I've done in my blog, but all things considered, it was the pleasant memories that stick out the most to me. I mean, think about it. I was able to leave a career that didn't fit me anymore; leave all that behind and take six months off to hike in the woods. No cell phone, no pager, no telemarketers, no stupid drivers, no loud television, no barrage of advertising being shoved down my throat at every turn, no crabby boss telling me that my work was not up to his expectations, no shitty work reviews or performance appraisals, no paying $3.00/gallon and up for gas because we've pissed off the whole middle east again, no Jehovah's waking me up on Sunday mornings, no screaming car salesman, no news people or polititians taunting me with fear-based propaganda, and best of all, I could eat whatever I wanted every morning, noon and night and each point in between.

There are countless tradeoffs to be sure, like wearing the same stinky and sweaty clothing for a week, 8 hours of really challenging physical work each day, rain, snow, sleet and hail, loud shelter-mates and bugs...lots and lots of bugs. But over time, you forget about these inconveniences...most of them, anyway, and you remember the kind people you met, the beautiful sunrises and sunsets, the days where the trail was nice to you and your feet and having countless special encounters with wildlife. I think about the many deer that I've seen which foraged just several feet away from the shelter platform where I was laying on many occasions. I remember the hummingbirds that flew just feet away from me and buzzed and hummed assessing me for nectar potential. And I remember seeing my first red salamander which contrasted brightly against the brown leafy trailbed where I was walking in North Carolina. I remember walking through the misty fog after a cool, morning rain and the loamy moss covered rocks and trees which I'm sure held faeries and other mystical creatures. Yes, I've seen all these wonderful things and more, and that is literally a one in a million opportunity.

I think about the effects of my words in my blogs and writings, occasionally. I don't want to paint too much of a negative picture and possibly dissuade someone from making this journey. On the other hand, I want to try and really portray how challenging an experience this has been for me, and indeed it has been the most difficult thing I've ever attempted. But I'm committed, and even though I won't finish this year as I intended, I will finish, which was one of the things I was most concerned about. If you may recall, my life is full of many things that I didn't finish and this trip was hopefully meant to make up for them...well, most of them anyway.

Think about the freedom that a trip of this imparts, how empowering it is to be able to control just about every aspect of your day except for the weather. And then think about how little control you have over the normal aspects of your normal day at home and work. This is a rare opportunity to be sure.

What? You can't do this trip because you have family, too much debt, are too old, too young, have responsibilities or are in poor health? The truth is, this journey can wreak havoc on all those things, but then again, if you plan for it, there are none of those things which can't be overcome. I met countless families on the trail or people who had families back home. I met a couple who had a big house and lots of debt back home and they hike a little bit of the trail each year. I met people in their 80s on the trail and a good number of thru-hikers in their 60s. I met a young boy of 10 thru-hiking with his father. I met a couple CEOs of companies who just decided they needed a break. And there's me, an overworked, out of shape computer jockey who couldn't go up a flight of stairs without being out of breath. 3 and a half months later, I completed my 700th mile of the trail and will be getting back on next month to finish walking 1,000 miles this year.

The truth is that there is no good reason or excuse why you can't do this. There is no situation that cannot be planned for, and granted, it may take a while before you are ready. I had to plan for 4 years to make this happen, but if it takes you even 10 years before you can do this...where will you be in 10 years otherwise?

We are the sources of our own limitations, not those things in our lives that we blame or that we put in our way so that we cannot do things. You have to first make the decision that this is something important to you and then start planning for it. There are countless resources and places to go for information. Remember that I had never done any hiking or backpacking when I decided to do it. The next four years were spent learning what all this hiking stuff is and then saving to buy it. Draw from any experiences in your life where you overcame tremendous odds to accomplish something phenominal. C'mon, you know you have something you can remember. You are the same person now as you were then, you just have a lot more life experiences to draw from.

If I have inspired you at all to take this journey, you don't even have to do it in one sitting. You can do it in a year, or over two years, or five years. One couple I met just outside the Smokey Mountain National Park had been hiking parts of the trail for over 35 years and they only had about 135 miles left. Some of the most inspiring, thoughtful people I've come across were those who had made their hike of the Appalachian Trail one of adventure and wonder every year or every time they set foot upon the path over the course of several years or more. I think in many ways, they are more fortunate than shlubs like me who feel they have to do this trail in one year. They see a lot more because they aren't rushed by a deadline, and they have the wonder of starting the trail "new" every time they head out.

So what are you waiting for...a lifetime of cherished memories, physical challenges and personal triumphs beyond anything you could ever imagine are there for you to experience. You just have to make the commitment to experience them.

Oh, and a shitload of bugs await you too. I do love the trail, but I really, really hate the bugs.

Muddyshoes