Georgia to Maine

Psssst, Follow Me

2007-01-08T02:16:00.000-05:00

Follow me over to my new blog. Yippee! And don't forget to put me on your favorites!

Lana's Suggestion

2006-11-17T09:32:00.000-05:00

I haven't posted a blog for some time and wasn't even sure if I should since my blog is entitled "Georgia To Maine", and that part of my life journey is over. But I received an email from my sister, Lana, who informed me I needed to either post a message that said I'm done with this blog and won't be adding to it anymore, or continue posting on the blog to update everyone on what's going on with my life as of now.

So I've decided I will essentially retire this blog and simultaneously create a new blog for me to keep everyone up to date on my whereabouts and happenings. I will link the new blog to this one so it will only be a mouse-click away from all who are interested.

But before I sign-0ff on this blog, I'm going to post some more pictures from the Appalachian Trail.

(new blog...coming soon)

Walking Through the Seasons: Spring

2006-11-16T10:42:00.000-05:00

When Megan and I started our hike in early April we were immersed into shades of brown. Brown, leafless trees; dead brown leaves on the ground, and dirt. But as the days and weeks melted away, tiny wildflowers began to push through the dead leaves on the forest floor, flowering trees began to bloom and form leaf buds, and before we knew it, the dead brown forest was alive and colorful.

Walking Through the Seasons: Summer

2006-11-16T09:56:00.000-05:00

Summer seemed to last forever. The spring flowers had disappeared, the trees were completely leafed out, and the humidity was nearly unbearable. Many days we walked in 100+ degree heat, and savagely fought off the swarming insects. The only color in the forest was that of tiny trailside mushrooms or huge fungus growths on fallen logs and other decaying matter. We found momentary relief in random water holes where we could take a quick dip before trudging onward. Summer is also the time when all of God's creepy crawlies venture out of their hidden homes. Every single summer day was a true test of stamina and mental fortitude. One word sums up my summer A.T. experience: Misery.

Walking Through the Seasons: Fall

2006-11-16T09:51:00.000-05:00

We walked into Maine at the beginning of fall and enjoyed the reds of the maples, golds of the beeches and birches, and the consistent greens of the firs, spruces, and pines. Fall is a perfect time to hike, with the cool, crisp air during the day and cold nights that make for good sleeping.

The Conflicts I Now Face

2006-10-07T10:17:00.000-05:00

After walking away from my Appalachian Trail life almost two weeks ago, my thoughts and feelings about the past journey, the present moments, and the future decisions seem to conflict and even contradict each other at times.

Past: The excitement of entering into Maine and knowing we had finally crossed the last state line. The rush to Katahdin, as if it wouldn't be there if we didn't arrive by a certain date. The need to be done with this journey. Done walking. Done eating Lipton's Rice Sides every night. Done choking down instant oatmeal every morning. Done pulling on the same dirty clothes each day of the week. Done reading the signs of the sky in an attempt to forecast the daily weather. Done digging holes to go to the bathroom. Done walking. It was almost an urgent feeling to get to the finish. Maine was beautiful in every way. But I fear we may have missed important parts of it in our blurred vision as we focused only on the prize at the end - Mt. Katahdin. I thought I was ready to be done. Was I?

Present: Feelings of nostalgia mixed with a bit of sadness as I look through the 700 pictures that Megan and I took of our 6 month journey. I can only relive moments now as I look from picture to picture, trying to recall the expressions of our trail friends, the emotions of the day, the highlights of the adventure. Questions - Why did we rush to the end? What will become of our dear friends that we met enroute to our common ground, Katahdin? Have I learned enough to change the parts of my life that need changing? Am I strong enough to resist the opressiveness of the cultural norms and societal influences? Who am I, now? Can I fit back in to this fast paced, selfish world? Do I want to? The questions keep coming. The answers are not aparent. I wonder, will they ever appear?

Future: Apprehension mixed with a slight bit of urgency. Apprehension - because I know not the road I will follow. It is not as clearly marked as the trail I have recently left behind. The doorways and avenues that are before me present conflicting options. Urgency - because a plan for my future is what the people around me expect. The world expects it. Society nearly demands it. Sadness now. My mind is filling with this junk, this clutter that took me months to effectively push back and eventually discard. And I am left searching for answers that I may never find again.

Can these two worlds coexist. The conflict between the simple and the good vs. the complexities and distractions of life in our "convenient" world. It is a puzzle I will be striving to solve. Meanwhile I attempt to make each day count, instead of counting the days.

Bald Mountain Pond, Maine

2006-10-04T09:25:00.000-05:00

Bald Mountain Pond at dawn.
Bald Mountain Pond in afternoon.

Katahdin, The Queen of the A.T.

2006-10-03T18:34:00.000-05:00

Pictures of Katahdin as we approached. And pictures from the top.

Photos of Katahdin Summit

2006-10-03T12:21:00.000-05:00

September 25, 2006

"There are only two ways to live life, as though nothing is a miracle, or as though everything is."

Albert Einstein

Against All Odds

2006-09-30T10:43:00.000-05:00

1,500 thru-hikers, full of passion, hope, and dreams, began a long and arduous journey at Springer Mountain last spring, with the goal of reaching the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. Starting in February, throngs of veteran and rookie hikers began the trek that passes over mountains, across rivers, around villages and always north toward Mt. Katahdin. Hikers begin this journey fully aware that the odds of actually succeeding in this endeavor are relatively low, even though, every step they take increases their chances of completing the exasperatingly long footpath. The odds of finishing what they have started become greater and greater as hardships appear and hikers disappear. Hardships: illness, rain, cold, injury, heat, insects, loneliness, fear, floods, boredom, disappearing finances, loss of desire. Always, there are more reasons to quit than there are to continue. Always, hikers are trading comfort for such things as misery, pain....yet there is freedom in this. A freedom of mind and spirit that cannot be mirrored in regular, everyday life. There is satisfaction in each step, no matter how pained, knowing that each step is one less step they will have to take in their quest for Katahdin.

I began this journey with the 1,500 other hikers last spring. I was hiker #901 when I started in Georgia. 900 hikers began before me, and many more were to follow in my footsteps. I experienced the jubilation of climbing hundreds of granite pinnacles reaching toward the sky. I experienced the camaraderie and fellowship of a community of people all in pursuit of the same goal. I experienced pain and misery, both physical and emotional. I walked, I stumbled, I fell, I got back up and I walked and walked. The odds were against me, yet I thought not of them, but of the sign on top of Katahdin that would one day welcome me home. Not a day passed where I did not think of that last mountain, and the desire and dreams that it encompassed, not only for me but for hundreds of others. And then it happened: I woke up one morning, put my boots on, like every morning in the last six months, strapped my pack on my back, started toward the first white blaze I saw on a tree, and realized -- this is it. I am at the base of Katahdin, 5.2 miles from the finish line. 5.2 miles from the sign I've been dreaming about for over a year. 5.2 miles from the culmination of a lifetime of memories. 5.2 miles from home. Is it possible?

September 25, 2006: Summit Day
Hiker #324 - that is me. 323 other thru-hikers paved the way for me to follow this year. Here I am finishing what I started on April 4th, nearly six months ago. It is now a reality, a dream no longer. I am steadily climbing the longest sustained vertical rise on the entire Appalachian Trail. Over 4,000 vertical feet to reach the peak of Katahdin, which rises a stunning 5,267 ft. With my fellow thru-hikers I climb for four hours, trying in vain to let it all soak in. Stopping to look about at the expanse of earth that lies directly below me at my right and left. One foot in front of the other, one hand hold and then another. Slowly, carefully. Do I want to rush this? It will be over soon enough. After the sign at the top...then what? No more white blazes, no more of this life that I have grown accustomed to. Good-bye to my life long friends. Good-bye to this dream that I have been living for half of a year. Half of a year! Could it be possible that I am here? Ascending the last few steps of a journey that has built me up and torn me down? A journey that has rocked the core of who I am. A journey that has helped me look through all of the layers of protective walls that I had built around myself to survive in society, and see who I really am. To confront the ugliness that lies within. To realize the strength that had lain untouched. This journey is about to end.

These are my thoughts as I grew closer to the final peak. The excitement, satisfaction, and elation were nearly masked by the dread of the job nearly complete. I was not expecting those feelings to aggressively come forth. Only a few more steps and here I was wrestling with these thoughts which were fighting to steal my joy.

Fortunately the emotion of taking the final step, seeing and touching the Katahdin sign at the top of Baxter Peak, overcame the battle within. With a feeling of reverence I approached the sign, ran my hand over the letters, and shouted for joy. Against all odds -- I made it! #324, that is me. I too, completed the 2,174 mile journey and gained so much more than I lost.

Trail Magic Photos

2006-09-30T10:19:00.000-05:00

We experienced random acts of kindness by strangers in nearly every state that we walked through. Sometimes we found gatorade and other assorted drinks cooling in a stream. Other times the trail magic was quite a production, with many folks coming together to serve the stinky hikers. Regardless how simple or extensive the trail magic was, magic was magic. It instantly brightened our day. Many thanks to the selfless people who thought to encourage us along our long journey with food and drink.

The Community

2006-09-30T09:39:00.000-05:00

Thru-hikers form a very tight community as they make their way from Georgia to Maine. We laugh together, we cry together, we eat together, we sleep together, we celebrate together, we even play together.

Water? What Water?

2006-09-30T00:26:00.000-05:00

Crossing brooks, streams, and rivers in Maine occurred numerous times a day. The difficulty of the crossing depended on many factors. Here are a few pictures of the different types of water crossings thru-hikers attempt. The last picture is our friend "#2". He hiked the trail in 1980 for the first time. This year was his second thru-hike, thus the name, #2.

The Reason I Love Maine

2006-09-30T00:19:00.000-05:00

These pictures speak for themselves. Oh Maine, how I love thee!

The Mahoosic Notch

2006-09-29T23:50:00.000-05:00

The most technical mile of the entire Appalachian Trail took us 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete. The Mahoosic Notch was definitely "all it was cracked up to be". The boulder pile that is essentially known as the Mahoosic Notch is situated in a steep-walled valley that rose high into the sky blocking any morning sun that might warm our bodies. The stones were still wet from the two days of rain previous. The toe and hand holds were crucial, yet nearly impossible at times. We went in as a group of four in order to help each other. Success was dependent on the team effort. We were forced to take off our packs twice to fit through the tight places. Exhaustion met us at the far side of the notch, and this was just the beginning of the day!

Mt. Washington

2006-09-29T23:04:00.000-05:00

Mt. Washington had generated a lot of buzz since the beginning of the trail (way back in April/May) due to the fact that it is unofficially the second highest mountain on the trail. Second only to Clingman's Dome back in Tennessee. It felt like some sort of rite of passage to step over and past the summit of that great mountain. A day or two later we were looking back at Mt. Washington from the Wildcat Peaks (across the valley). It was so strange to look backward at the granite pinnacle. We had been talking and thinking about it for so long and now the challenge of it was gone. The mountain had been climbed. We stared at it for a long time not really knowing how to feel. The pictures turned out great, though.

There were easier ways to get up and down Mt. Washington. The "Cog Railway" pulled one boxcar at a time up the steep winding tracks that led to the top. I was kind of glad I was in control of my own transportation up and down that mountain. It looked kind of scary.

Above Treeline

2006-09-29T22:50:00.000-05:00

After passing into New Hampshire we quickly became acclimated with hiking above treeline. Franconia Ridge was our first taste of what the White Mountains might dish out: beauty, solitude, escape, raw power, entrancement. See for yourself!

Looking Back

2006-09-29T22:35:00.000-05:00

Photos from Massachusetts and Vermont. Some of my favorite trail passed through these two states. Here are a few reasons why this part of the trail rocked.

So Close to Home!

2006-09-11T19:19:00.000-05:00

Maine, Maine, Maine! Been moving through Maine at lightning speed. First it was to outrun the dreaded rains from Hurricane Ernesto (or was it a tropical storm?). Now it is because we are so close to Mt. Katahdin, we can smell it. Maybe we can't really smell the mountain, but there are some changes in the air. Fall has arrived. The trees first started changing a few days ago, and now each day the colors are more vibrant. The panoramic views from Saddleback Mt and Horn Mt have been quite rewarding. Maine is such a great place to hike with all of its ponds and bogs. If you can get past the part where you have to hop through and around all of the mud holes, it is just downright beautiful. Saw our first moose from across a lake. Not much of a sighting. Looked pretty much like a brown dot from afar. Still waiting for the "close encounter". Still scrambling over and under rocks and boulders. I've busted a spot on my right knee three times in the past three days. Not going to heal if I keep banging it around. It's brutal some days! The last rainshowers brought with it a cold front. The days have been beautiful, crisp, cool. The nights are getting down in the 30s already. Brrrrr.

We have arrived at Stratton, ME. Staying in a hostel at the Stratton Motel. Free internet, and long distance phone calls. Hard to beat, right? Especially since my phone card is running on fumes right now.

Our planned summit date of Mt. Katahdin is September 24th. That is if everything goes as planned (which rarely it ever does out here). We will leave a two or three day window of time open in case the weather delays our summit. We are definitely feeling the pull of the big mountain at this point in our journey. From some of the nearby mountain summits we can catch tiny glimpses of our final destination. We are almost home.

Next stop - Monson, ME (September 16/17)

Trail Haiku

2006-09-01T15:19:00.000-05:00

Thanks to all who posted concerning the rules and regulations of Haiku Poetry. And of course your own haiku poetry has been fun. Keep it up!

I would attempt to write some now, but I have been notified that my "library internet" time is now ending. Until next time.....keep haikuing? Pretty sure that is not a verb, but you catch my meaning.

By the way I am in Gorham, NH and will be entering Maine tomorrow. Love and miss you all.

Considerate Moose

2006-08-19T17:32:00.000-05:00

Over the last 150 miles, Megan and I have been coming across all sorts of things that indicate that moose are on the move. We've noticed "moose" literature posted in the shelters and other helpful sites. We've spotted moose tracks/prints in the thick black mud of Massachusetts and Vermont. And we've even stepped over and around numerous piles of moose scat (poo). This being the case, I came across a poem written by a previous thru-hiker in one of the shelter journals the other day. I thought I might share it with you since it tickled me to death!

Trail Haiku

Considerate Moose,
You poop on the side of the trail
Not in the middle.

Author: Rock Chalk

I can hear you laughing. Isn't that great! I wish I remembered the rules of Haiku Poetry, because I believe I might be able to whip up some poetry myself if only I could recall how Haiku is written.

Vermonty Python

2006-08-12T16:38:00.000-05:00

Have any of you ever had the Vermonty Python flavor of Ben and Jerry's ice cream? I had the joy of finding a pint of this spectacular ice cream in Dalton, Massachusetts earlier this week. Megan and I have been anticipating our crossover into Vermont for quite some time, so it was only fitting that I buy and eat all of the Vermonty Python in one sitting! Delicious. I highly recommend it for any of you Ben and Jerry lovers out there.

And here I am today in Manchester, Vermont enjoying the much cooler temperatures of this glorious state! Here is something crazy -- we have hiked over 1600 miles, and only have just over 500 miles to go before reaching our destination! Chew on that a moment. Isn't that insane, I really can't even comprehend it all. Sometimes I stop mid-stride and look at Megan and say, "who does this?" "Who walks through 14 states, 2100 miles?" Thats just a bunch of foolery if you ask me. But here we are taking one step at a time...sometimes two steps at a time when I trip on a root or a rock.

A few days ago Megan and I enjoyed an insatiable sunset atop Mt. Greylock (highest point in Massachusetts). We also, simultaneously, watched the full moon rise. I can't really put it in words, I couldn't then, and I can't now. But it was like nothing I've ever experienced in my life. What a moment in life. I could go for a few more of those, please! I would have to vote that one of my favorite memories on the trail so far.

We are planning to retire Vermont by Friday (August 18). Take a zero day in Hannover, NH. And begin mentally preparing ourselves for the beloved "white mountains" of New Hampshire. Of course when I say, mentally prepare, I totally mean pig out at a buffet or two, sleep in real beds, and eat lots of ice cream and candy. We've been hearing about the "Presidentials", since Springer Mountain and are getting stoked about the treachery of it all! Vermont is doing a good little number on us to prepare our climbing legs for those hairy "Whites" (and no, Lana, I'm not talking about my legs as being hairy whites, although they are).

It is HOT out here!

2006-08-01T13:39:00.000-05:00

Wow, it seems forever since I've been able to post an update. This is the first official update since Megan and I returned to the trail on July 12th. Life has been tough getting reacquainted with the Appalachian Trail. Megan's heels have been hurting, my boots literally fell apart, and the temperature has been steadily climbing for the last three weeks.

It is August now, I suppose we will have no reprieve from the heat until we climb to higher altitudes, therefore, we are busting tail to get to Vermont, where the "real mountains" begin once again.

The northeastern towns are not quite as "hiker friendly" as many of their southern counterparts. Hiker amenities (laundry, public internet access, hostels) are few and far between. Today we hitched a ride into Kent, CT just to use the internet at their library. We did manage to find an ice cream shop open and willing to serve two dirty, smelly hikers. Quite a treat. We are not looking forward to walking out of this air conditioned haven into the 100 degree heat outdoors. But alas, we still have five more miles to hike today.

We have been capitalizing on any type of "swimming hole" that we come across. Rivers, streams, ponds, lakes. Any of those will do, when you are running from the heat. No more beautiful wildflowers now. The trail consists of trees, mushrooms, insects, and snakes. That is the sum of it. Although we did run across a mink the other day in New Jersey, and a baby turtle in the river yesterday. Every now and again we see some unusual little organism.

We've caught up with some of our former hiking buddies, from early on (April/May). It has been fun surprising them and catching up a bit. We are slowly passing some hikers and making our way toward Katahdin.

Enjoying the Break

2006-07-10T11:00:00.000-05:00

I'm stuck!!

Corn Hole, anyone?

New Itinerary - The Journey Continues

2006-07-10T10:29:00.000-05:00

Many folks have been inquiring about when our next itinerary would be posted. I've been busy enjoying my break from the trail with my family and friends. I did find, however, a few moments here and there to put together an itinerary for the next portion of our hike. Remember: if you want to send mail you must send it at least a week in advance to ensure that it gets to the post office in time. Also, please put my name on it, the expected arrival date, and a note that says "hold for A.T. hiker". Megan and I have loved all the letters, cards, and packages that you sent previously. We are humbled by your generosity and love. Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.

All mail must be addressed as General Delivery.

Port Clinton, PA 19549 (July 15)

Unionville, NY 10988 (July 22)

Pawling, NY 12564 (July 27)

Williamstown, MA 01267 (August 4)

Hannover, NH 03755 (August 13)

Glencliff, NH 03238 (August 16)

Gorham, NH 03581 (August 25)

Epiphany Brought on By a Butterfly

2006-07-07T18:02:00.000-05:00

No matter what situation I have found myself in, in life I have found that there are always numerous changes that accompany new experiences. Hiking for three months in the Appalachian Mountains has brought forth many changes in my life. And I can describe them as increases and decreases. Here’s what I’ve noticed:

Increase – appetite
Decrease – weight
Increase – physical endurance
Decrease – health of feet
Increase – metabolism
Decrease – variety of available and tasty food
Increase – girth of my calves
Decrease – avg. # of showers/wk
Increase – thoughts of my family
Decrease – normal everyday life stressors

I could go on for quite some time, but one of the most meaningful and noticeable changes in my life has been an increase in my faith in God. I want to share a story with you about one particular issue that I ran into – which brought forth a growth in my overall faith in God.

To tell this story I’m going to start near the beginning: Megan (my hiking partner) and I, began our Appalachian Trail hike on a beautiful, sunny day – April 4th of this year. We had mixed emotions about the hike, but overall we were excited and committed to the challenge before us. For the next couple of days we had perfect weather for hiking – 60 degree days, blue sky, nice breeze, cool nights to sleep. The beginning was good.

But day four was the day I noticed a short sharp pain in my R Achilles tendon as I hiked up the mountains. Downhill the pain was not noticeable, uphill the pain exploded. It wasn’t long before I noticed my R Achilles had swollen to twice the size of my L one. Days passed, miles disappeared - I soon began limping on the down slopes, as well as, the ascensions. So bad was my pain, that at every stream and spring location along the trail, I stopped, took off my sock and boot, and soaked my R foot for twenty minutes or so to ease the swelling.

Upon the good advice from some fellow hikers, we decided to take a day off of the trail to rest, ice, elevate. Knowing that an Achilles problem could result in the end of my dream to finish the A.T. I fervently iced every hour for twenty minutes, all day.

It was Easter Sunday when we got back on the trail. As soon as we set foot on the trail my heart sank, the pain was still there, as bad as it was before. Megan hiked on ahead to our evening destination since I was gimping along. I immediately sank into self-pity as I trudged along at a snails pace. I was angry, I was worried, I was hurting. I was completely self-absorbed with my injury.

As I hiked, I noticed a butterfly flutter through my field of view. I remember thinking “how beautiful”. Just for an instant I left those selfish thoughts of myself, but quickly returned to my uncomfortable situation. Then a shadow swooped over me and glided past. I looked up and noticed a hawk gliding on the thermals. “Wow!” I thought “Wouldn’t it be nice to be a bird. I bet birds don’t have Achilles problems”. I look back down to the trail in front of me and the butterfly was still there. Which instantly brought forth a memory from college.

I was sitting in my entomology class with my classmates and my professor. My professor, Dr. Goff was getting ready to explain metamorphosis. Right in the middle of his explanation of how a caterpillar turns into a butterfly, he stopped and looked at us and said, “Not one scientist past or present has figured out what exactly happens inside of that chrysalis when that caterpillar changes into the butterfly. All we know is that the protein structure and physiology is completely different between the two organisms.” I was amazed that science has not revealed this secret, but I remember also feeling comfort in knowing that there is a greater power than humanity. And that I serve that greater power.

The butterfly on the trail brought back that memory and all of a sudden it was like a key had unlocked my self-centered tunnel vision and I could see beyond my pain. God was much bigger than my problem. He had cleared everything from my calendar months before so that I could hike the Appalachian Trail, and I knew he wasn’t going to throw something into the mix that would hinder this trip. All I needed to do was put forth a little trust in the maker of the Heavens and the Earth. A verse came to me ( I Peter 2:24) “By His stripes, you are healed”. I said it aloud over and over, I claimed that promise and reminded God of all the little things he had done to prepare me for the Appalachian Trail and I continued to limp along the path in pain.

Later, Megan expresses her concern about the condition of my Achilles. Maybe you need to take a week off, or a couple days. You can catch up later. I considered it, yet at the same time, I believed God would heal me. He promised to.

I didn’t heal immediately, in fact, I had to endure another week of pain, but I talked to God daily, claiming his promise and reminding him of the miracles that got me where I was that very day. And believe it or not, my R Achilles tendon slowly began to heal as I hiked. The terrain was not getting easier, the miles weren’t being shaved off of our days to accommodate the injury, my Lord was healing me. Mid-stride, about a week after my butterfly epiphany, my Achilles tendon was completely healed. And there is no other explanation except that God chose to take away my pain. What a miracle!

I grew a lot from that experience – God has proven over and over through other similar experiences that he is our sustainer. There are many things I can not control out there in the mountains, but I’m relieved that I serve a God who is my dry spot when I am wet, my food when I am hungry, and my healer when I am in pain.

Living Life One Step at a Time: Most Recent Musings

2006-07-02T21:43:00.000-05:00

McAfee Knob: I am small, aren't I? Maybe the world doesn't really revolve around me. A little dose of humility never hurts anyone.

Washing my hair in the river. Quite limber, aren't I?

Maybe I should join the circus.

Eastern Box Turtles are still exciting discoveries even at my "old" age.

Monthly Musings:

I've learned so much about myself on this journey. I have a hard time putting words to many of the ways that I am changing and growing. Before I started the A.T. I wouldn't have considered myself an emotional person. I've always had a good handle on my emotional expression. I'm a logical thinker. A realist. Someone who doesn't get overly excited about much and never overly upset about anything. However, recently I am discovering part of me that I have never known existed. The constant struggle of everyday life mixed with the awe and beauty of my surroundings make for a confusing array of emotions that I am having a hard time dealing with at times. I am frequently experiencing feelings of elation (mostly dealing with food, shelter, and vistas), and feelings of self-pity and sorrow (most commonly brought on by physical pain).

It is when I strip away all of the "extras", the materialism, in my life that I can begin to know and acknowledge my true self. I'm beginning to realize that the "stuff" in our world, the materialism that we surround ourselves with, has a way of hiding who we really are. We become trapped in society's ever changing standards, seeking to be accepted by the mainstream, as if that is our one life goal. But it is a futile attempt, we will never make it because the standard is continually moving farther and farther down the road, down the road we generally choose to follow.

I'm fortunate to have an opportunity to escape the stressors of normal life and dive head first into an environment of "simplistic living". I knew coming into this experience I would change. I am changing in ways I never thought possible. My hope is that I continue to become more and more aware of who I am as a person, in order to rid my life of the worldly clutter that ceaselessly works to corrode my mind and soul. Sometimes it is scary taking the road less traveled, but I believe the benefits will far outway any negative aspects of this six month journey.

For the Beauty of the Earth

2006-07-02T21:25:00.000-05:00

It takes some serious effort to climb to the elevation that produces a view like this. It is only upon occasion that we are granted such a vista as this. But it is always appreciated once we make it to the top.

The Half Gallon Challenge

2006-07-02T21:03:00.000-05:00

The much anticipated half gallon challenge ocurred at Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Pennsylvania, on June 24th. Megan and I officially finished 1,087 miles of the 2,174 mile Appalachian Trail. We courageously attempted to eat a half gallon of ice cream in 1/2 an hour. We estimated our arrival time at the state park and nearly starved ourselves that day so that we could fit that much ice cream in our tummies. Being an ice cream lover, I confidently approached the general store counter as I bought my 1/2 gallon of neapolitan ice cream. Not too much time had elapsed before my confidence began to wain. It only took about 15 minutes for me to realize it was going to be much harder than I had initially imagined. Wow, 1/2 gallon of ice cream was a lot of ice cream! Over 2,000 calories at one sitting. Gross! With only six bites left and five minutes to go in my 30 minute time limit, you would think I would be able to lick the spoon clean. You would think. But oh the tummy ache I had. It took me 14 minutes to finish those last six bites of ice cream. 39 minutes from my first bite of ice cream, I finally finished. Amazingly I kept it all down. Megan finished in an hour and ten minutes. What a trooper, by then she had to drink the last pint or so. Yuck!

2006-06-19T16:31:00.000-05:00

Picture Time

2006-06-19T16:22:00.000-05:00

Bears Den Hostel: great establishment run by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club.

Short Hair: Is it "in" yet? Probably not, but it is much, much cooler. Kate took this picture when we visited D.C. It was great staying at Kate's place: kind of like a resort.

Baby raccoon that we came across the other day. So cute, I think we scared it stiff. It's little heart was beating so fast.

Harpers Ferry, WV

2006-06-19T15:39:00.000-05:00

1,000 miles down, only 1,080 miles to go! We are so stoked right now. To celebrate our 1,000 mile mark, Megan and I decided to take two days off from hiking and go to Washington D.C. to visit my friend Kate. Our feet and knees needed a little break from the rocks of northern Virginia. Megan's boots finally had to hit the graveyard, she broke down and bought a new pair of trail runners in Harper's Ferry, only after the heel of her boot cracked off. I made her swear an oath to her feet that she would no longer love a pair of boots more than her blessed feet.

We definitely enjoyed the hike in the Shenandoah National Park. The grade of the trail was great most of the time. There were a few lodges that were close enough to the trail that we could walk to and eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner. We hiked with a group of about five others most of the time in the park and declared one of the days as "Celebrate Virginia" day. We ate three full meals at Skyland Lodge and still hiked 16 miles to boot! Of course we didn't set up camp until 10 p.m. that night. But it was definitely worth it.

A few days out of the Shenandoahs we stayed at a hostel called Bears Den. It is run by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club and was built in the late 1800s. It looked like a castle from outdoors. We were fed one Tombstone Pizza each, and a pint of Ben and Jerry's Icecream. Yummm! We didn't really want to walk out of that place, but Harpers Ferry was only 19 miles down the trail, so we made our way there.

Our ten day summer break is coming up quickly. We will be catching a ride home to Indiana to visit our friends and family on June 30th. I have lots of stories to tell!

Good-bye Central Virginia and Hello Shenandoah National Park

2006-06-09T11:43:00.000-05:00

It is official, we have stumbled, trudged, limped, hiked, crawled, our way through 850 miles of the Appalachian Trail as of today. An amazing feat. I get so excited everytime we cross the next 100 mile mark. Waynesboro, Virginia is our home for the night. We hiked in this morning, sat down to a huge breakfast at the local diner called Weasies. 2 pancakes larger than my head, 2 eggs, and 2 orders of bacon all under $4. Can't beat that now can you?

Since the weather has turned warmer or hotter, however you want to describe it, we have noticed a few changes in our hike. First and foremost, the increase in the insect activity. Besides the skeeters that are now prevalent, we have the nearly invisible "no-see-ums" which are quite aggressive buggers. The spiders are also in full effect. I'm sporting a few massive spider bites on my legs and one large one on my side right now. Carefully watching them in case they begin to ulcerate, in that case we need to get to a doctor for some antibiotics (could be brown recluse). But so far so good on the spider bites. Speaking of spiders...every morning now as we hike through the thick, green forest we have to break through thousands of spider webs. If you've ever walked through a spider web you know how unpleasant it is to have those sticky strings catch on your face, neck, legs, any part of your body really. It is a constant battle, pulling the webs off of your face and neck. Very irritating.

Sleeping has also become problematic due to the heat. Sleeping outside of the sleeping bag is a definite mistake, unless you want your body to be covered in insect bites. But sleeping inside the sleeping bag is nearly as bad because you become one big sticky, sweaty mess. What a fix! Megan purchased a mosquito net that we can rig up in the shelters, that has been quite useful I must say. It has saved us from hundreds of bug bites I'm sure. She purchased it in Troutville last week when she counted 54 bug bites on only one of your arms. Not a happy camper!!

The Shenandoah National Park is the next section to check off of our list. There is nearly 105 miles of A.T. in the park. According to most folks, the trail grade is reasonable, there are great vistas, and snack bars and garbage cans within walking distance every day. A true thru-hiker's paradise, I'd say. Can't wait to experience it.

Did Anyone Call For A Heat Wave?

2006-06-01T18:25:00.000-05:00

Whew! That is about all I can muster after hiking this week in this blasted heat. Since Pearisburg, Megan and I have been trudging along through 90 degree days in very high humidity. Tends to wear us down much more quickly than hiking in 60 degree weather. Did anyone else miss the nice 70 and 80 degree days? I swear it skipped from rainy, windy, cold directly into this hot, humid, blaze. Yesterday we stumbled out of the forest onto the pavement of Troutville, Virginia. We were so glad to see a Wendy's. Didn't take me long to wolf down a Southwestern Taco Salad, large water, and large frosty. Yum. The funny thing is that the air conditioning in Wendy's was freezing. We ended up hurrying through our dinner and sitting outside in the stifling heat to thaw out. Doesn't take long to become acclimated to living in the hot, humid conditions, unfortunately.

Oh, I almost forgot...I decided, on a whim, to chop all of my hair off today. It was entirely too hot, filthy, and hard to maintain out here. I didn't shave the head, although that is my next step if this is unsatisfactory. But lets just say about seven inches fell from the hands of the stylest as she cut. Megan, of course, took pictures of before, during, and after (as she laughed at the scene unfolding before her eyes). Though, I could tell in her eyes that she was mildly envious of how cool my head is going to be when we start hiking tomorrow and beyond. I almost convinced her to shave her head. "Maybe in Waynesboro", was her response. We shall wait and see, only time will tell.

We are looking forward to the Shenandoah National Park section that is coming up in a week or so. Virginia has been beautiful so far and I expect will continue to be so as we move right along. Thank you for your prayers. 700 miles down and 1400 miles to go - 1/3 of the way done. Yee-Haw!

More photos from the Trail......

2006-05-28T09:58:00.000-05:00

Onward Through Virginia

2006-05-25T23:02:00.000-05:00

My not so new pair of used shoes that I picked up in Damascus from a fellow hiker, proved to be less than desirable as I set off for Pearisburg, VA on Sunday. And when I say less than desirable, I mean complete and utter pain and anguish. After 12 miles of torture and tears we made it to a road and Megan and I hitched to the next trail town of Pearisburg. We discovered, shortly after we were dropped off in town, that Pearisburg did not have an outfitters store where I could find another pair of boots/shoes. It was late, we stayed the night at a great little catholic church hostel and decided to leave the shoe issue until the morning.

Monday, we made a cardboard sign that said "Blacksburg" on it and stood in the intersection near Walmart, trying to convince any kind soul to give us a ride to the nearest town with an outfitters. We made it eventually and I was fitted for a new pair of boots.

Later that day Megan and I headed South out of Pearisburg to finish the section we had skipped. Hiking south, when you are used to hiking north is a bit disorienting. We continually ran into people that were a day or two or three, behind us. It was actually kind of fun catching up with some of our friends. In three and a half days we punched out over 70 miles. Ouch, I'm ready for a rest. We have made it back to Pearisburg after completing the section we skipped, and are ready to head North again. Next stop will be Troutville, VA.

Trail Days Festival

2006-05-20T14:41:00.000-05:00

Damascus, Virginia is home of the annual "Trail Days" Festival since 1987 when a hiker decided to create a festival to honor the 50th anniversary of the existence of the Appalachian Trail. Damascus is often referred to as the friendliest town on the trail for various reasons. The town folks are very receptive of hikers and many churches provide transportation, lodging, and food throughout the thru-hiker season. But all of this is nil compared to the hospitality shown to hikers during "Trail Days". Megan and myself, along with many other hikers have been in town since Thursday night. We have had at least 3 free meals provided by churches, and other organizations. Our lodging is costing us $4 a night to stay in a bunkhouse behind the Damascus Methodist Church. There are vendors and gear manufacturers set up in town that will provide free advice, maintenance, and repairs for a variety of backpacking gear. I've had a free massage, blood and blood pressure test, % body fat test, and ice cream sundae. I love this town.

Today was the annual hiker parade. All of the thru-hikers, past and present, lined up according to the year that they thru-hiked and marched through town. The locals lined the streets with water balloons, water hoses, and super soakers to drench us as we walked. Sounds mean, doesn't it? The hikers didn't come unprepared, however. We also armed ourselves with stuff sacks and food sacks filled with water balloons and water grenades. We carried super soakers and other various water guns to fight back. What a fun walk. No one stayed dry, and after all of this rain this past month, not one person complained about the sogginess of their attire.

Tomorrow we hike onward toward Pearisburg, Virginia. Hoping to arrive sometime late this week.

Just some pics from the Trail

2006-05-14T17:44:00.000-05:00

Newly Updated Itinerary - What You've All Been Waiting For

2006-05-13T09:02:00.000-05:00

Hey folks. I've finally put together an itinerary for the next part of our journey. It will take us through the entire state of Virginia and into West Virginia. The dates, of course, are an estimation, so if you are sending mail please send it at least a week in advance, and check the blog before sending it to make sure we aren't a few days ahead of schedule.

Damascus, VA 24236
ETA = May 19/20

Pearisburg, VA 24134
ETA = May 25

Troutville, VA 24175
ETA = May 31

Waynesboro, VA 22980
ETA = June 5

Linden, VA 22642
ETA = June 12

Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
ETA = June 15

Please remember to send "General Delivery" and put my name on the top line. Include the ETA and also write "hold for A.T. hiker". Thank you to all who are dropping us notes of encouragement along the way. It is tons of fun to get mail on the trail!

Joy vs. Dread

2006-05-12T16:00:00.000-05:00

We have made it to Damascus, Virginia healthy and happy.

Some Musings on the Trail:

Out here our senses are on 24 hour call. The smells, the sights, the sounds - they are never ending. Some of the sensations bring instant joy and elation, others bring a feeling of dread.

Examples of sensations that bring dread: (1) the smell of damp, dirty socks in the morning (putting them on is a must no matter how musty they smell. (2) a drop of temperature by 10 degrees with a slight breeze to boot (rain within 15 minutes for sure). (3) the sight of a completely filled shelter when we've just hiked 20 miles in the cold rain.

I like to focus on the sensations that bring joy and elation. I can't say I always focus on these, but I do try my hardest to overcome the feeling of dread that sometimes sneaks into my being. Examples of sensations that bring joy: (1) the smell of pine needles as you enter a pine forest at high elevations. (2) the smell of laundry detergent on newly washed clothes (this one doesn't last very long - an hour tops). (3) the glimpse of the sun through a small hole in the gray covered sky or the sight of my shadow for a brief moment before the clouds swallow up the sun once again. (4) the sound of cars on a highway in addition to the barking of dogs.

I'd like to expand on #4 if I may.

The reason I feel joy when I hear traffic and dogs barking at the same time is because if you take one of those sounds without the other, there is an entirely different means at the end. For instance, the sound of traffic means there is a road that will eventually intersect with the trail. That, in and of itself, is not too terribly exciting. The A.T. crosses numerous roads: county roads, forest service roads, highways, interstates. Traffic does not mean town. Now think about the traffic sound and add a dog barking -- now the sound means something entirely different than just a highway or byway. It speaks to me saying there is a community of people down there at the bottom of this mountain. And if a dog is barking I can assume there are some houses, houses mean people, people mean jobs, jobs mean shops. I get super excited when I hear this combination of sounds. My mind usually begins to go into overdrive, I begin imagining the people of the community below me in the valley. People who care for pets as well as the others within their homes. People who live in structures with four sides, a roof, and windows and doors. Structures with furniture inside such as an easy chair, sofa, and a bed. A bed that most likely has clean linens on it and smells fresh like spring flowers. Porches with rockers and tall glasses of sweet tea or lemonade, maybe a few homemade muffins or cookies on a plate nearby. You see where I'm going, no wonder I get so darn excited about hearing dogs and traffic noises. A simple joy.

How I Categorize A.T. Thru-Hikers

2006-05-03T14:56:00.000-05:00

I've been interested in the people with whom I am journeying toward Katahdin with. I've met people of varying age, culture, background, and personality. And as I am gaining a better understanding of the typical "thru-hiker", I've come up with a way to categorize the hikers into different sects according to their knowledge of and their experiences with backpacking. As a teacher, I am always asked to enhance learning by tying into what my students already know.

So here I go: Backpackers can be grouped into four basic groups according to knowledge and experience. The first type of backpacker that we run into is the backpacker that we will put into the group known as the "high school graduate". This backpacker has read much about backpacking and in fact knows quite a few statistics about the Appalachian Trail itself, including proper gear that should be carried. The "high school graduate" backpacker, however, has limited experience with actually backpacking. They may have gone on some family camping trips as a child, or done quite a few day hikes, but the whole idea of long distance backpacking is a whole new experience. Initially, this hiker is enthusiastic and jolly, but upon days of constant rain and gloom will fairly easily decide home would be a better place to spend the time.

The second type of backpacker fits into the group that would be the "bachelors degree holders". This group of backpackers have studied and learned about the Appalachian Trail and backpacking in general for a few years. They are familiar with the A.T. jargon and have a few friends that have either hiked sections of the A.T. or thru-hiked it at one time or another. The bachelors degree holders also have a much more extensive hiking background. They have section hiked the A.T., completed small scale backpacking trips (weekend to week long), and have had to rely on themselves to survive in the outdoors on numerous occasions. These individuals have a better idea of what the trail will hold in terms of the joys and the trials. (side note: Megan and I fall into this category).

The third category of backpackers is the "master degree holders". This backpacker is very knowledgeable about the Applachian Trail because they have thru-hiked the trail previously. They know the trail community and throw around jargon and trail names like everyone should know what is going on. They are fully confident in their ability to survive, and should be, based on their experience. The masters are well known in the trail community and are not shy about telling the high school graduates and the bachelors what gear they should be carrying and why. To some, the masters can be overwhelming in their self-confident (tipping on arrogant) nature, based on their constant chatter of what is coming up over the next mountain, where you should stay in the next town, and what is the right or wrong way to hike the A.T.

And lastly we have the category of hikers that I like to refer to as the "doctoral degree holders". The doctorates are the individuals out here who have not only thru-hiked the A.T. previously, but they have also thru-hiked one or two of our country's long distance hiking trails - the Pacific Crest Trail, or the Continental Divide Trail (or both). These backpackers are the 'gods' of the trail, they carry the best and most expensive gear (usually), they have the most relevant knowledge to share, and the rest of us are in awe of their accomplishments. They are inspirations to the hiking community. The individuals who have hiked all three of our nations long distance trails are known as "triple crowners". I have only met one of these individuals, but he is known up and down this trail in legendary status.

There you have it, my synopsis on the division of Appalachian Trail thru-hikers based on their knowledge and experience. I've been rolling this around in my head for a month and finally put the categories together just the other day. That was definitely a full day's work. Or was it a full month's work? Whew! Whatever it was, I'm tired!

Did Someone Say Trail Magic?

2006-05-03T14:09:00.000-05:00

As you become more familiar with the lore of the Appalachian Trail, you begin to understand some of the things that folks talk about out here. One of those things is what is known as "trail magic". Trail Magic includes any random acts of kindness, usually involving food and drink, produced by people who are not hiking the trail (the civilized folks). These individuals are known as "trail angels". Our first official experience with trail magic occurred two days after we left Hot Springs.

Upon leaving Hot Springs, Megan and I noticed a type written sign posted to a tree near one of the road crossings. The sign read: "TRAIL ANGELS will be at Sam's Gap on May 1st serving hot dogs, hamburgers, soda from 11:00am - 4:00 pm." We looked at each other, checked our watches for the date, and decided right then and there, we were going to do everything within our power to propel us to Sam's Gap by May 1st. The only problem was that the date was April 29th and we had about 42 miles between that sign and Sam's Gap to cover in 2 1/2 days. To make a long story short, we experienced decent weather (even though the forecast had called for thunderstorms each day), made good time, and covered the distance needed to walk into Sam's Gap by 1:00pm on May 1st for the delicious food. Best tasting hamburger I've ever had. Fresh lettuce, onions, tomatoes. Chips, cookies, Crispy Creme Donuts, soda. The food was never ending. The trail angels were a group of men (50s-70s) who were involved in an Appalachian Trail Club where they do trail magic, such as this, up and down the trail throughout the thru-hiker season. They were headed to New Hampshire in July! I was amazed!

As Megan and I sat on the roadside at Sam's Gap stuffing our faces with the gifts of food and drink, we formulated a plan for the next couple of days that sounded heavenly. We had been dying to try this thing called "slack packing". Slack Packing is where we get to a town, leave our packs at a hostel or hotel, get shuttled to the trail head, and hike as many miles as we can with only a day pack (day pack = 5 lbs, regular pack = 30 lbs: big difference). Then, at the end of the day you catch a shuttle back to the hostel/hotel and get to sleep in a nice warm bed, have a shower, and eat real food. Therefore, we get the best of both worlds. We still do the mileage, without our heavy packs of course, but we also get to sleep in comfort at the end of the day. Brilliant, eh? Needless to say, yesterday was awesome, we hiked 24 miles from Sam's Gap to Erwin, T.N. without our heavy packs, and still made it in time for dinner and a shower. Life is looking up!

Next Trail Town: Damascus, V.A.
ETA = May 13th

Good-bye Smokies and Hello Hot Springs

2006-04-28T14:13:00.000-05:00

Well, we've had quite the adventure these past few weeks. Officially Megan and I have passed our three week mark, encountered numerous thunderstorms, walked over the largest dam this side of the Mississippi River, out-paced many of our fellow hikers, and have plodded through over 250 miles of this blessed trail.

Update on the achilles: I entertained the thought of taking a week off to let it heal when the zero day in Franklin, N.C. didn't really do the trick. But somehow from Franklin to the N.O.C. (3 day journey) the achilles healed midstride. I've been babying it a bit, but for the most part I don't have to worry about it at all. So thanks to all who have prayed for my recovery, it has been doing great as of late.

I knew the 16 days of sunshine would come to an end abruptly, and of course it did, as soon as we set foot in the Smoky Mountain National Park. We combatted two thunderstorms from atop the highest peaks around. Very scary indeed. And trudged through mud and slop pretty much the entire 70 miles of the park. Needless to say, we were ecstatic to leave the park and continue north toward Hot Springs, N.C., our next resupply point.

Just leaving the park didn't really guarantee that we wouldn't get blasted by rain, and let me tell you, we did. It had been days since we had seen the sun, annoyance and depression were overcoming us ever so swiftly. The shelter that we had planned to stay in on Wednesday was full. No room in the "inn", so to speak. We trudged on, trying to locate a campsite. The rain set in. We found a campsite, not optimal, it was on a slight slope, which proved to be a huge mistake. I should know better, but when you are tired, hungry, and wet, sometimes the "grey matter" up yonder, doesn't really function very well. We set up the tarptent in the pouring rain (mind you the tarptent has no floor), we put down our plastic sheeting that we use as the floor of the tent and within minutes the runoff from the slope was washing into our tent. Megan says, "What are we going to do?" Good question. I remember my mom telling me how you can sometimes trench around a tent to direct the flow of water away from it. Bright idea for groggy mind, eh? I step out into the downpour, which has now become a festival of lightning and thunder. I take our tiny little, bright orange trowel and begin to dig a trench from the slope toward the side of the mountain, directly in front of our tent. I build up a little dam along the front of our tent and direct the runoff toward the steep cliff to our side. It seemed to work much better than I thought. I'd like to say we stayed dry that night, but though my trench worked wonders, we managed to get about everything we were carrying wet and muddy. Fell asleep around 4 a.m. when it stopped raining, didn't want to get up the next morning, knowing all was wet and nasty. But alas, the sun shone the next day and we had time to dry most everything out.

And here I am in Hot Springs, N.C. staying at a cool little thru-hiker inn, enjoying the sunshine and loving my life once again. Thanks to all who have sent notes of encouragement and goodies along the way. They are greatly appreciated, there are really no words to describe the elation, honestly.

A note to all who are following Megan and I on our itinerary. We are about 4 days ahead of schedule. We will be getting to Erwin, T.N. by May 3/4 probably. So if you are sending things, keep that in mind.

Phase One:

2006-04-14T18:43:00.000-05:00

Here are the first pics from the Trail. Enjoy these gems!

106 Miles From Springer: Still Trucking

2006-04-14T18:03:00.000-05:00

Hello all! Megan and I have made it to our second Trail Town: Franklin, N.C. We are taking an extra day of rest here this weekend to allow my achilles tendon to heal a bit. The weather continues to be incredibly warm during the day, and last night it was pretty warm as well. I am loving the journey so far. The second shower felt just as good as the first shower in 10 days. Crazy isn't it?

I'm seeing more flowering trees now, but most of the hills are still brown. When we reach the tops of the mountains we can see the lush green valleys below. Beautiful!

We've had some serious climbs in Georgia, and were glad to leave them behind. North Carolina has been brutal at times, but not quite as hard as the Georgia section. I'm looking forward to meeting up with some of my teacher friends in Wesser, N.C. or Fontana, N.C. Can't wait to see you.

65 Miles From Springer

2006-04-10T12:13:00.000-05:00

Hello all! Megan and I left from Springer Mountain a week ago Monday. We have made it to our first trail town, Hiawassee, Georgia. We are 10 miles from the North Carolina border. Tomorrow we will pass out of the first of 14 states in our journey.

Life on the trail has been pretty intense so far. Within the first week I had to replace my well-worn boots. I hadn't planned on getting new boots until Virginia, but was forced to do it, when the back of my ankles were being rubbed raw on the steep descents. Luckily, at mile 30 there is an outfitters store called the Walasi-Yi Center, that fitted me for some new boots and we've been trucking ever since. As of today, I've hiked over 30 miles in the new boots and haven't had a blister yet!

The weather has been crazy hot during the day. No leaves on the trees, so I have quite the farmer tan (or sunburn). My nose and ears are blistered and peeling. For those of you who suggested I take sunscreen, you were right. I am a fool! In the seven days of our journey all but one have been sunny and hot. By mid morning we are wearing shorts and t-shirts for the remainder of the daylight hours. But as soon as the sun goes down it gets downright cold. Four of the six nights Megan and I have slept in the tarptent and have been warm enough in our sleeping bags and liners. In fact, I haven't even worn all of my clothes that I expected to in order to stay warm at night. That is a pleasant surprise! I'm sure we will run into some cold weather here pretty soon, but until then I am enjoying the warm days and cool nights.

The trees are leafless (at least most of them), but I see the buds starting to form. A few flowering trees have started to blossom, which provides a nice contrast to the brown forest floor and bare trees. There are wildflowers popping up here and there and sometimes a clump of grass near the trail. But other than that, all is pretty brown. I am enjoying the leafless trees, because it allows for a much greater view of the mountains beyond. I've never seen better overviews! Not too much in terms of wildlife. I've seen a few salamanders as I filter water from springs and streams, lots of songbirds, some hawks, chipmunks, a snail or two and that is about it so far.

My achilles tendon on my right foot has been swollen and very painful the last three days. It has slowed me down considerably as I hike throughout the day. Hopefully this partial day of rest in Hiawassee will help it get on the road to recovery.

Love and miss you all!

Going Away Gift

2006-04-02T13:12:00.000-05:00

Last night at my going away party, I was given this custom made patch for my pack. How cool is this? Mom sewed it on today and only broke one needle trying. Way to go Mom!

Ready or Not

2006-04-01T22:17:00.000-05:00

It is finally time to shove off the mainland for this incredible Appalachian Trail voyage. Tuesday will be the culmination of many months of planning and preparing. Megan and I met one night last week to go through our packs and double check our list of gear and other supplies. This is the first time I have talked to Megan face to face since she left North Carolina last summer to return home after our A.T. trip was cut short (due to Darrell Tipton, rutheless murderer). It has been somewhat of a challenge trying to put together a six month trip with someone who lives 700 miles away.

This past week has been strange. I feel like I've had too much down time to think about the upcoming A.T. trip. All of the planning is done, the first package mailed, and here I was sitting at home with too much time to think. The thoughts that crept into my head were all negative thoughts, which is highly unusual for me. I began to worry about being warm enough at night. I worried about the fit and form of my boots. I bothered with what toiletry items I should ditch, and which ones I ought to carry with me. It has been hard to shove these thoughts out of my head. And I am completely ready to start hiking in Georgia just to get away from these worries that I can do nothing about.

Today my parents had a going away party for me. Mostly family attended, but many friends stopped by also. How incredible it is to be able to share about this adventure that means so much to me with people that want to listen and learn. I went through my gear, piece by piece, discussing the purpose and other related factors. Just like I did in my classroom a few months ago for my students. Fun.

I'll end today's blog with a quote that I love. I am not sure who coined this phrase but it seems to fit. "Not all who wander are lost".

The Next Series of Unfortunate Events: Blind Dates

2006-03-30T23:46:00.000-05:00

To continue with my story book life....

Soon after I made my home in North Carolina in 2001 the locals began to bombard me with one particular question. "Are you dating anyone?" This question is not so uncharacteristic to ask of someone my age and appointment in life, but after fielding it on a daily basis, it became somewhat of a small nuisance. There were several reasons why I wasn't dating anyone at this time, but my new found friends would hear none of them. So here begins a string of blind dates that could upset the stomach of those lacking a sense of humor, or could give fodder to those folks who revel in humor.

Of all of the guys that I was set up with, the first should have been a clue as to how the rest of my blind dates would play out. So as not to upset anyone, let's call date #1: Bob. Bob was an engineer (not bad, eh?). He had a good job, he dressed fairly well, quite attractive, and loved the outdoors. Good resume so far, wouldn't you say? I had a great time with he and some of my friends on our double date, and decided to try for a second date. In no time at all a week had passed and we were on our way to Crowder's Mountain for our second date. Crowder's Mountain is a state park not far from Charlotte that has some killer mountain trails. Bob had decided not to tell me where we were going specifically, so I had not dressed for a hike. A bit disconcerting at about 1.5 miles into the hike, my shoes pinching my feet, my jeans sticking to me like jam on toast. I was huffing and puffing, trying to play off the fact that my heart was about to beat out of my chest and my legs were screaming for more oxygen. "Bob, what is the elevation gain here at Crowder's Mountain?" I ask between gasps. The reply goes something like this, "I think it is about 2000 ft over 1.5 miles". WHAT???

Believe it or not, I continue to see Bob, even after the Crowder's Mountain mishap. I remember the breaking point. There is always a breaking point. We were out to dinner, Valentines Day, and Bob begins to tell me of his plan to live to 150 years of age. I laugh and then quickly hide the hilarium, when I realize he is serious about the age thing. Do you think you are Abram of the Bible, dude? What is this guy thinking. He then tells me how he is going to make his first million dollars before he turns 30. What? Why would you need to make a million before 30 if you are going to live forever? C'mon, Bob! Are you dellusional? Am I? Date over, relationship (the tiny bud of a relationship) ended!

Okay, so Bob was a bit off of his rocker, I do need to stop and breathe a moment. This is even crazier. Bachelor #2: Rick. A high schooler that I know tells me she has the perfect guy for me. I ignored her for a few weeks, until she shows up at my house with a phone number for Rick. She tells me that I need to call him because she told him I would. Excuse me? What did you tell this stranger? That I would call him? Who does this? Maybe this is the way high school dating is nowadays, I don't know? I delay the inevitable for a few days, maybe a week. High schooler putting on the pressure, entreating me. Okay, Okay.

What do I say if I call Rick? "Hi Rick? My name is Leslie, the girl that 'so and so' told you about." I work up the nerve, dial the number, laugh to myself, and dive in. Rick seems okay with the fact that, me, a strange girl, just called him. I don't know if I should feel relieved or weirded out about that. A few plans fall in, we still haven't met. I decide to invite him to church on Sunday. He declines, telling me that he and his friends are going to Oz Fest on Sunday and then on to Hooters for wings and beer. Okay...probably not going to be my type if Oz Fest is winning over church, and if Hooters is on the ticket. Rick surprises me and calls back, he has decided to skip Oz Fest and Hooters and come to church with me. Well, maybe there is something there. I meet Rick at church, he is quite attractive - alright this may work. Then I open my church bulletin, in bold letters the sermon title reads, "Sex in the City". What? Not the series on sex? Why is this happening to me? I lean over to Rick and give him fair warning as to what will be coming in the following moments. He seems mystified and intrigued. I am embarrassed to say the least. Why can't I go to a normal church?

We make it through the service with minimal embarrassment and blushing and head to my favorite Mexican restaurant. The day has started out rocky, but I believe it can all be cured by some killer rice and beans. What can't, really? As soon as we get our food I know I've made yet another mistake. Rick is an open mouth chewer. You know the type. Stuff food in, begin talking while chewing. And fajitas for crying out loud! I am not sure how long I had been staring at this insane scenario, before I caught myself. But then I became terribly self conscious. I can't look at his face because I am getting grossed out by the half digested food that is rolling around in Rick's mouth. So I begin looking over his shoulder, right by his ear. Maybe he won't notice I'm not really making eye contact. The shoulder thing didn't work, I became distracted by the people seated behind Rick. What about staring at his chest? No way, too low. That would be weird. It was an awful predicament to be in. I could find no solution to the problem. After a forced conversation through half-chewed food, the Sunday date was over. I vowed to never have a Sunday date again. That was just a bad idea to begin with, don't you think?

The sad part of this whole series of events is that I continue to be set up with strange North Carolina men and they are all slightly off their rocker. I mean, it can't be me, can it? Honestly, what 25 year old man talks through half-eaten food on a first date? Or who truthfully believes that they are going to live to be 150 years old? Where do my friends dig up these wack jobs?

There are many other blind date stories, of which I will save for a later time. Meanwhile, I am still looking for Mr. Right. But I'm not sure I trust my friends to pick him out for me. Would you?

45 Day Itinerary: Springer Mt. - Damascus, VA

2006-03-29T17:30:00.000-05:00

I know many of you have received a hard copy of this itinerary, but I wanted to post it on the blog just in case you have misplaced the original. The purpose of the itinerary is to allow you to keep track of our general progress as we move north toward Maine. I can only plan a section at a time, so this is the first section.

Location and Date
Springer Mountain (April 4)

Hiawasee, GA (April 10)

Franklin, NC (April 14)

Nantahala Outdoor Center (April 18)

Fontana, NC (April 21)

Gatlinburg, TN (April 25/26)

Hot Springs, NC (May 2/3)

Erwin, TN (May 9)

Damascus, VA (May 19/20)

If you would like to send mail to Megan or myself, you can follow the guide that I posted earlier on this blogsite. The four post offices that we will be stopping at are Gatlinburg, Hot Springs, Erwin, and Damascus. Again, please refer to my earlier post to correctly label any mail that you want to send.

A Series of Unfortunate Events: A Look into the Hilarium of My Life

2006-03-29T13:08:00.000-05:00

You know how after you read a good book, you continue going over the really captivating or hilarious parts in your head? Sometimes I feel like my life has been a string of quite insane events, some of which seem to have been perfectly orchestrated for the purpose of producing a fictional book. But the kicker is, that these ultimately unrealistic events have actually happened to me. I find that I don't really need to read books anymore for entertainment. I find a quiet corner of the world, plop down, and reflect on the hilarium that my life seems to be, and has been for some time now.

I could start with the incident of my two front teeth. I believe this is when my life started becoming story-book material. I was 21, enjoying the freedom that comes with college living, playing softball for my university; all in all life was just about perfect. And then the accident. Quite a traumatic accident, it was: taking a softball to the face, coughing up one of my two front teeth, the other hanging on by the nerve ending. Not a pretty sight. However, after the initial drama of it all fizzled down - hilarium began. In an attempt to "save" my teeth (as if I was so attached to them that I wanted to keep them), the emergency dentist shoves both back up in my jaw. Unfortunately, he couldn't quite position them perfectly, thus my originals hung down a few extra millimeters. So here I am 21 years old, with my first set of buck teeth. Though I had never been a very self-conscious person, I began to feel a bit awkward at that point. Darn you, you strange, sweaty, dentist from Florida.

You would think that is funny enough - but the story doesn't end there, folks, I only wish it did. As soon as I was able, I visit my family dentist. After undergoing 12 root canals on each tooth over a period of a year, my dentist informs me that we are not going to be able to "save" my teeth after all. And I am okay with that, but correct me if I'm wrong, "Did we need to go through the oral surgery every month if we were going to eventually conclude that the teeth are going to get kicked to the curb anyway?" Just wondering? Caps are the way to go, according to the doctor. Alright, lets get those suckers in and allow me to go about with my life. Little did I know that the procedure to acquiring caps is quite complicated. Impressions, x-rays, 3 hour office visits. Finally, my "temporary caps" are ready to be installed. Temporary, because the real pearly whites are being made in the lab and won't be ready for a few weeks or so. Temporaries are adjusted and glued into place, I go back to my every day life of student teaching and such. Not a thought given to my temporary caps. Maybe that was my biggest error (not giving a thought to my temps), I'll never really know. But what ensued, yes, I've given much thought too since then.

The temps find a way to publicly humiliate me, I knew it! In a restaurant, eating a grinder. Could it get any worse? What is this hard thing in my chicken grinder? I spit it out, I wonder what it is, I contemplate what I see, realization hits me. Bam!! Oh, that hard white thing lying down there on my plate next to the chewed up piece of chicken, is my two front teeth. Nicely played. I now look like a hill jack from the coal mines of Kentucky (no offense Debbie). Wow, I immediately cover my mouth with my hand, pick up my two front teeth, check to see if anyone had a chance to witness this horrifying moment, take a long sip of soda, stand up masked in ultimate humiliation and walk out of the restaurant never to return.

And there you have it my friends, my first story book tale. I wish you only knew the rest of my life's tale. This is just the beginning.

Weichert & Craven

2006-03-20T15:13:00.000-05:00

A shout out to my friends at Weichert & Craven Realty in Cabarrus County, N.C. My journey is an extension of many others' longings and desires. As I learn more about myself and others along this historic foot trail, may you also journey to new places. Thank you for your support and enthusiasm.

2 Weeks and Counting

2006-03-20T14:36:00.000-05:00

My life in Concord, North Carolina already seems like someone else's story. I began experiencing this strange disconnect from the reality of my occupation and life situation there, starting in February. Most of the pertinent planning for the A.T. journey went into effect at the end of January and into February, consuming my every thought and feeling. Though I still had a few months to live in N.C., I quickly began to paint myself into a corner emotionally. With the start date looming closer at each passing day, my mind was absorbed with images of trail life, characters I would meet along the way, and situations I might face on any given day. And so....I had no idea what I would feel as I drove out of the state for the last time.

I'll be honest, it was hard driving out of North Carolina a week ago, knowing that the next time I will be passing through the Tarheel state will be on foot, with a 30 lb pack on my back, possibly in the pouring rain, or maybe as the trees are budding and the flowers are blooming. My life will never be the same. When I come back to North Carolina my body, my soul, my spirit will be renewed and conditioned through six months of relying only on my God and my knowledge of survival, to endure, with all of the other creatures of this earth, the beauty and the fury of nature. I will be a different person, someone with a new story to tell, a new life to live.

God promises to bless his people. I believe! Not only will I be a changed person upon my return to North Carolina, I have already been changed by the folks that live there. The abundant outpouring of encouragement and support from my coworkers and students rendered me speechless at best, and dumbfounded at worst. I have never witnessed, let alone personally experienced, the incredible power of God's love, like I did these past few months at J.N. Fries Middle School. I know this life journey of mine is God's purpose for me at this moment in time. The support and encouragement from friends, family, and even strangers is proof of an active living God. Thank you for being a part of God's plan for my life. I am two weeks from my start date, counting down the days and making the days count.

Wrapping It All Up!

2006-03-12T20:05:00.000-05:00

My new tarptent: 28 ounces total pack weight! It has no poles, or floor. Have to shave the weight off somewhere, right? I use my trekking poles as tent poles. Check it out!

This is what I've been doing since January: dehydrating

fruits, vegies, and meat!

My freezer was nearly full of these such items.

Packing day: Saturday, March 11. Bye, Bye Concord, N.C

Megan McNutt, my mail drop angel.

12 boxes, Megan, don't forget! Thank you so much, you rock!

Waterfall Tour: Transylvania County, S.C.

2006-02-21T13:23:00.000-05:00

The day after the Hospital Rock Run hike, Beka and I decided to take a down day and drive to as many waterfalls as we could. Transylvania county is the location of Brevard, N.C., and the land of over 150 waterfalls. We capped out on four beautiful falls for the day. We would have viewed five, but we ran a muck on a "trail to nowhere", when we were looking for Moore Cove Falls in Pisgah National Forest. Come to find out (an hour later), we had taken the "path less traveled", and it had "made all of the difference" (in the words of Robert Frost). We never saw the falls thanks to the darn switchbacks!

Hooker Falls (13 foot)

High Falls (200 feet)

Triple Falls (my favorite)

Looking Glass Falls (75 feet)

Jones Gap State Park, S.C.

2006-02-21T12:18:00.000-05:00

Beka and I left our mark on Hospital Rock Run Trail in Jones Gap State Park. We didn't realize the irony behind the name Hospital Rock until we were half way up the side of the mountain, gasping for air, and thinking about nothing except the sharp pains shooting through our aching legs. Thank goodness for the process of Fermentaion (a little science joke for all of you who know the limits of Cellular Respiration).

On the trail we encountered shear cliff faces with cables to aid in climbing vertically, trees shaped like prehistoric creatures, boulders the size of cars, and a beautiful waterfall near the end of our 8 mile/6 hour hike.

Why Not Send Me Some Mail?

2006-02-11T21:01:00.000-05:00

Friday was exactly one month from my official last day of teaching this year. My time at J.N. Fries Middle School is quickly drawing to an end. Whether I'm ready for it or not, time is steadily moving on. I have some gear I still need to purchase and test, but for the most part I am nearly "outfitted" for my journey.

It has taken me some time, but I have finally mapped out a preliminary itinerary for the first 46 days of our hike. As Megan and I adjust to the terrain and the weather we may veer from our itinerary, hopefully arriving at our planned destinations earlier, rather than later.

Below are the four major towns that we will be traveling through during our first 46 days. We would love to hear from you as we walk through the first three states (Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee) of our 14 state tour. If you are interested in sending letters, cards, pictures, or packages, you may use the Post Office addresses below. Make sure you include my name and a note on the envelope or package to "Hold for A.T. Hiker", as well as an ETA - expected arrival date.

Leslie Gottschalk ETA - April 24
General Delivery
Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Leslie Gottschalk ETA - May 1
General Delivery
Hot Springs, NC 28743

Leslie Gottschalk ETA - May 9
General Delivery
Erwin, TN 37650

Leslie Gottschalk ETA - May 18
General Delivery
Damascus, VA 24236

Don't forget to include a return address, in case the mail misses us as we move through the towns. I will update the blog periodically as I have internet access on the trail.

Nature's Close Ups

2006-02-02T08:04:00.000-05:00

Pine Cone = Crowder's Mountain (February, 2005)
Shelter Sign = Along Appalachian Trail (June 2005)
Rhododendren Flower = Smoky Mountain National Park (June 2005)

Wide Open Spaces

2006-01-22T14:59:00.000-05:00

What an incredible view! I am in awe of the mastery of God's creation.

Caesar's Head State Park

2006-01-22T14:43:00.001-05:00

Beka and I planned to hike this weekend, but the weather was wet, so we stayed in and dehydrated fruit for my upcoming trip. We looked through our pictures from last weekend and planned our next adventure. It looks like I will be taking this coming Friday off and spending a three day weekend in the S.C. wilderness again. I can't wait. I love my life! We did get to listen to Bill Irwin speak in Burlington, N.C. on Friday. He is the only blind man to hike the entire Appalachian Trail. He shared some of his adventures and his testimony. It was powerful.

Practice Hike in South Carolina

2006-01-17T16:23:00.000-05:00

I spent the weekend in South Carolina hiking in three state parks. I had a partially filled pack (about 25 lbs, if I had to estimate). The weather was mostly sunny and quite windy on Saturday. Beka and I enjoyed trying out the homemade Pepsi Can Stove that runs on denatured alcohol. It leaked. But we did manage to heat up some mac and cheese and some nasty vegetable soup. The soup had some mystery vegies in it. I did eventually identify zucchini skin as one of the hidden vegetables. Gross!

We were able to catch some breathtaking views of Lake Jocassee, Lake Keowee, and Raven Cliff Falls. I'll be posting pictures of these in the next few days. At one point on the Dismal Trail in Caesar's Head State Park, we had to cross a mountain stream by way of two cables stretched from tree to tree over the bubbling brook! It was insane, and awesome!

Hiking the Appalachian Trail Last Summer

2005-12-14T13:00:00.000-05:00

Megan and I hiked a few hundred miles of the A.T. this past summer. We met some interesting characters and saw some amazing views.

Christmas in Mexico - 2004

2005-12-13T08:37:00.000-05:00

The family spent the holidays in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico last year.

Part of the fun included a trip to the jungle swinging through the trees!

A "Grand" Attempt

2005-11-26T09:03:00.000-05:00

Spring Break trip to Arizona

Backpacking the Grand Canyon cut short because of serious snow storm.

These pictures are from the one day that we were able to hike.

Welcome To My First Blog

2005-11-25T09:13:00.000-05:00

NEW ADVENTURES AWAIT

Due to the fact that I will be leaving my job and home and traveling by foot on the Appalachian Trail for six months of 2006, I thought it would be functional if I created a blog that would allow me to communicate with you about my whereabouts and experiences while I am "out". I hope this blog will serve to keep all of us close in spirit. I love you all and am looking forward to creating new life experiences while I make my way north to Maine.