Contemplations

I've been reading the journals entries of current thru hikers on Trailjournals.com and I must admit, it makes one think long and hard about this tremendous journey soon to come. I have read about the intense cold, the snow of the Smokies, the exhaustion, the tough terrain, the wonderings of why put oneself through this. I've also read how some have dropped out due to physical problems. Iit makes me really wonder - will I be able to do this with my physical situations like a bum knee, bad ankle and metatarsal pain? Do I have what it takes when the going gets downright impossible? Am I called to hike for over 2,000 miles in six months? All these contemplations. But I like what one thru hiker said. It will take grace to see Katahdin with everything that happens. And I must agree.

One Year and Counting!

It's hard to believe that I have one year left to a dream that has spanned thirty years! One year from today I will begin the Approach Trail in Amicalola Falls State Park, Georgia and head toward Springer Mtn, the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. Having begun this dream when I was just a teen and now looking to the reality of it in 365 days is an exciting but fearful proposition. Of course I wonder - will I be able to do this? Can I do this? Will everything work out with the hike, my physical status, supplies, upcoming books (of which one will come out while I am on the trail and another one will likely need editing), husband and family considerations, my beagle....lots of things to think about and lots of unknowns. I have leapt off that cliff of faith into the unknown many times in my life. Surely starting this Appalachian Trail adventure one year from today will be one of the bigger leaps into the record book of my life.