2008 in Review

Wow-what a year. Didn't think it could get any crazier than 2007 but I think 2008 proved me wrong! Here's a little insight into how it went!

January-James came up with the idea to hike the Appalachian Trail and easily convinced me that we could do it! We spent the month discussing all the details of being gone for 5 1/2 months.

February-This month was packed with planning for the actual trip. Dehydrating over 150 meals (dinner, breakfast, snacks). Planning our itinerary for the trail-how long it would take us to get done, how many miles in between mail drops, researching gear, and reading all things Appalachian Trail.

March-Like February, every day was filled with planning. Jessica came out the last week of March to help with food preparation. It was great to have her out and for her to see all the work that went into our food drops. As the end of March approached we weren't sure if we were ready for an April 1st start, but we kept working every day until March 30. To top off planning for the trip, we packed and moved out all of our furniture and stuff from my dad's and moved it into storage.

April-By the 1st we were ready to be out in the woods finally doing what we had planned for. April 1st we started out at Springer Mountain, the terminus for the A.T., with much anticipation for what was ahead. We weren't sure if we were going to be able to do the whole trail but we decided all we could do was take one day at a time. The first month was by far the most exhilarating time on the trail. I remember calling my friend, Natalie, at Neels Gap (only 30 miles in) and telling her that I would thru-hike the trail with her whenever if she wanted to in the future. We didn't comprehend how far Georgia to Maine really was at that time...but it's a good thing!

May thru September- was all time on the trail. We went thru 14 states and saw so much of the country you would miss by driving in a car. We met so many wonderful people-people who helped restore my confidence in the goodness of humanity. We were in tune with nature-the smells-of evergreen woods with such subtle sweetness, of dayhikers who had the strong scent of clean laundry, of wildflowers, of super smelly thru-hikers. Sounds-the quietness of the woods, of the trees creaking as if they were opening their doors welcoming us into their home, of rustling wildlife in search of food, of birds singing their songs, and of cars which sounded so loud to our ears, when entering trail towns from the reasonable quiet of the woods. Of taste- the taste of clean cool spring water, of town food with such flavor, of wild berries & ramps. Of sight-the pictures of course capture snapshots of life on the trail. I have never seen such beauty-in early spring, the wildflowers were gorgeous. Summer approached and the forest with all of its leaves shaded us from the hot sun. New England was coming into fall as we ended-with incredible hues of red orange calling to close our hike. It was absolutely stunning! Physically our bodies felt the effects of hiking for 5 months. They became very lean and strong-muscles and balance became greater. When we didn't have our pack on we felt a bit "off-balance". We craved sugars and fat and did our best to eat as much as we could while in town. We weren't ever sick on the trail; although we were physically tired after each day from hiking so much-our minds were never tired. We always felt good getting up and getting back out into the woods. Our minds were allowed so much time to be free-free from the usual worries of the day and free to not have to think about anything at all. It was a beautiful experience-one that awakened all of our senses and made us happy to be alive. Made us sad that we are still ruining the planet by our over consumption. The experience moved us to stand up for the forest who continues to lose a vast amount of trees due to acid rain/smog and air pollution. We came to appreciate the natural world in ways we hadn't before and made us grateful that this experience exists for those who seek it.

September-December-We finished on the 14th of September and made our way home with a ride from a fellow thru-hiker from Maryland. We returned to VA with much excitement as well as sadness-that we were done with the hike. We came back to VA with the intent to live and work on a dairy farm, and to possibly start gardening for a CSA. Unfortunately, these plans didn't end up working out & we had to decide what we were going to do. It was a difficult decision but we ended up packing up our car & our 2 doggies and driving out to Tempe AZ. We are here "regrouping" and doing our best to take the next step. We miss the trail, the country life and friends, but are enjoying our time with all of my family & friends. I learned a few things on the trail but one I can't forget is the idea of being "flexible". So I try-I am learning to bend without breaking. Learning to see things through different lens & accepting the things I can't change.

Peace-Holly

Mile 2176.2

Yep that's right we've completed the Appalachian Trail. James & I summitted with about 10 other hikers on the afternoon of September 14th. Mt. Katahdin was quite a hike-a 5.2 mile hike up to the mountain with an elevation gain of 4,000 feet. There was a lot of rock climbing on the way up with most above tree line. So the hike in of itself was difficult but the weather added to the difficulty. It was going to rain that afternoon...so lots of clouds & the wind was at about 40 m.p.h. with the temperatures in the 40's. We left the base of the mountain at 7:00 a.m. and got to the top at 10:20 a.m. We only stayed for a few pictures & had to head back down. I was feeling a bit weird descending...but I kicked it into high gear to get down more quickly. We officially got done at 12:50 p.m. We were welcomed by a fellow hikers family with hot stew, rolls, and drinks. We were so happy to finish and we got a ride out of Baxter State Park by the A.T. Lodge out of Millinocket, ME. We got our calorie fix in town, stayed at the Lodge and got to enjoy one last day with our trail friends. We are slowly on our way home to Virginia-currently in Baltimore, MD. We will be meeting a college roommate of James's today & then either getting a ride from friends or taking public transportation down to Richmond. We aren't sure how we feel yet about civilization but I guess we better adapt soon! Thanks again for the support along our journey!

The Unwashed Meet the Upper Crust

Here's a link to an article that I am quoted in, in the New York Times...kinda fun! :)

http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/08/29/travel/escapes/29ConnHike.html?pagewanted=1

Andover, Maine

Hey everybody today is August 28th & we are currently in the town of Andover, ME. Yep that's right we are in our last state of the A.T. Woo-hoo! :) With only 250 miles left we are slowly making our way thru Maine and trying to soak up the last few weeks. It has been such a journey & it will be bittersweet to be done. We made it through the hardest & most scenic part of the trail-the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Lots of steep rock climbs with spectacular views....many above tree-line. Maine has been beautiful so far as well. We just passed over the Baldpate Mountain on a sunny day. It was such a view & we have been blessed with fantastic weather the past week. Maine has proven to be difficult though...but we press on with the end so close in sight! :) We anticipate finishing around September 15th. Thanks for all your thoughts, prayers, & comments throughout this whole process. We have felt so loved & supported! :) This actually might be the last time I get to post before finishing...so until Katahdin- Share

Rutland, VT

Today is Wednesday Aug. 6th and we are taking a zero day in Rutland Vermont. We only have about 488 miles to go and we are looking forward to being done. Although we keep remembering to take it slow...since this is something we will probably never do again. So we enjoy each day we have in the woods. To be honest, the "real" world is not that enjoyable...too much stimulation, light, noise, and "unnatural" distractions. Anyhow we are trucking along and will be in Hanover, NH on Saturday. The weather has been really rainy & the trails have been muddy to say the least. We anticipate finishing somewhere around Sept. 12th or so and then will be heading back to Virginia to resume life as we know it! :) I have 9 minutes left on the interenet so I should go...but just thought I would share a few details..

Oh and by the way you have to do a little searching to find that picture of us...sorry! Just hit the previous button until you see our picture :)

Until next time...Share

Link to Recent Picture

Since I can't download photos from my camera...here is a link to a picture of a group of us at the Green Mountain House in Manchester, Vermont. Yep that's right we are hiking thru Vermont right now...and should be in New Hampshire within a week or so.

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http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=7240

Dalton, Mass.

Hi all...James & I are currently in Dalton, MA around mile 1560. Wow...I can't believe we have made it this far! :) It has been an incredible journey. One of my friends commented to ask a few questions about what an average day on the trail is like, what I have learned or how have I changed. So here is my attempt to answer them.



We usually wake up to when the sun rises around 6:00 or so. We deflate our mats, put our sleeping bags in our stuff sacks, & get dressed.. all inside our tent. We pack our bags & take down the tent. James or I will go untie our "bear-bag"- (you have to hang your bag high in a tree to keep it away from possible bears) and cook breakfast. We then have to clean our dishes, get water for the day from a stream & treat it...and finally we are ready to get the pack on and start hiking. All of this takes about 1 hour or so. I am usually the first one ready and the person that stays out in front. Most of the day we hike alone (within a half mile or so of each other) and I stop every hour or so to wait and take a break with James. It works out good...we are able to have time to ourselves but still see each other a good portion of the day.

Hiking all day you have a lot of time to "daydream". I spend a lot of time thinking of things I would like to cook & eat :) and also time recalling memories from my past. There is so much time to think without any obstructions...it is quite a sweet experience. I often think of family & friends (time spent with them) and many hours are spent dreaming of what life holds.

The trail has taught me I can do without many things & has given me an appreciation for the small things. I am becoming more "flexible" with different people and ideas. Learning to appreciate & understand many perspectives. The trail has done away with many pre-conceived notions of certain types of people..basically I am learning to accept and love people a little bit better :) There are many other things I am learning but I don't have a lot of time to articulate them all...but hopefully that provides a little insight on how this experience is shaping who I am.

Whew...maybe more than you cared to know...Until next time : Share