Off To Seattle

     Tomorrow, at 6:15 pm, I get on a one-way direct flight to Seattle.  Six hours later I'll be, once again, in the state I now consider home.  I've drifted away a few times, and I can't promise that this incurable wanderer won't ever wonder again, but for now - I can't wait to get back.  I had to put off my Appalachian Trail hike once again, which was not an easy decision, but I'm very excited to start fresh in my favorite city and get on with my life. 
     Nothing that happens in your life is ever  a waste.  You always learn something and these past six months have tested my levels of compassion and forgiveness like they've never been tested before.  It was also a nice cooling off period.  A low-tech retreat in many ways.  So all-in-all - no regrets.  But...I'm done.  I'm ready to move on and I'm full of ambition.  I've got plenty of new goals and fresh ideas.  I'm fully energized and feel like I can take on the world...as long as the world is green and maybe a little rainy.  Seattle - here I come!

Bowing Out...For Now

     Alright, I'm going to keep this short because, honestly, I'm a bit upset.  I've finally come to the hard decision to put off my A.T. hike this year.  Financially, it's just not going to happen.  I had previously decided that, even though I wouldn't have enough set aside to make it all the way to Maine, I would just go as far as I could.  The more I thought about that plan, the more sure I became that that's just not how I want to do this thing.  I've been planning forever and I want to do it right.  I know - Hike Your Own Hike - and I will.  My way.  When I can afford to.  I'm not giving up, just facing realism.  Oh well...one day...

AWOL!

     No...I'm not going Absent WithOut Leave.  But I am going crazy...over my new A.T. Trail Guide by David "AWOL" Miller, usually referred to as The AWOL Guide.  I received it via regular old mail delivery (a day earlier than quoted!) and promptly started highlighting.  This was really more for my enjoyment than for any actual planning purposes - I'm a dork like that.  You see, the guide - which I will seal in a ziplock and take with me - is full of useful and awesome info.  Every mile, from Georgia to Maine, is broken down and lists what you can expect to see along the way.  Shelters, campsites, water sources, inclines, declines, road crossings, stream crossings, great views and so-on.  But the most exciting part - how close you are to towns nearby and what they contain - so you can make an educated decision on stopping in or heading on down the trail.  I'm not even hungry or smelly yet and already I'm highlighting the All-You-Can-Eat Buffets and places with free showers!
     One of the main reasons I've always been drawn to this kind of hike, has been the availability of experiences and adventures, that aren't all in the woods.  I'm really looking forward to checking out a bunch of small towns that I would probably never go to otherwise.  But you never know whats gonna happen or where you're gonna be on any given day - and that freedom really appeals to me- so I don't want to plan more than a day or two out.  Therefore - all of this highlighting was fun but who knows where I'll stop and what I'll see? 
     One other thing the book has already done for me - make me doubt my decision to not bring a phone.  This is not a wilderness hike.  Many people around me will have a phone to use in an emergency situation.  How can I be so sure?  Because most people these days have nice, small phones with good internet access and a nice camera.  If my phone was like that I would take it too - but it's not - and none of those things mean enough to me to shell out that money right now.  Having said all of that...I may bring a phone anyway.  When getting into or near a town, it will save be MUCH time and energy, to be able to call ahead to hostels, etc. vs. walking/hitching to each one.  Some of these hostels will even come and pick you up at the trail if you're going to spend the night with them.  I've also heard that phones make life SO much easier, if you've found some buddies to hike with, but then want to do your own things while in town.  Meet back up later with a phone call or two. 
     Of course, it will also be much easier to place the occasional family/friend call.  I was gonna figure this out with phones at hostels/etc. - but having my own phone will speed it up.  And lets not forget the #1 reason for carrying a cell phone on the AT - shelter pizza delivery!  Actually possible in a few places! :)
    

Why I Love the Appalachian Trail

 

This was the winning video in last summers AT Conservancy video contest. Pretty awesome...

 

A.T. Thru Hikers (Trailer)

Havn't seen the movie yet...but the trailer is pretty cool.  I love the girl who can't stop talking about food...I'd be her friend!

Catching Up...

Hello!  Glad you could make it.  :)
     Just a quick "catch-up" for the last few months to get us started - I moved back to New Jersey, mainly to spend some quality time with my Papa.  He's doing pretty well these days - but he's had his ups and downs - and I wanted to enjoy some time with him, as he is...a pretty cool dude. 
     The timing on my move back (September) happened to work out perfectly for me to reconnect with long-lost friends - The Von Thuns.  They have an amazing family farm in South Brunswick that I (and most of my family at some point) worked on as a kid.  I gave Cindy a call, after re-connecting on Face Book, and ended up working there again all fall.  It was a lot of fun - school tours and fall festival weekends.  I actually worked until Christmas, decorating and selling wreaths and grave-blankets.  Good times!  But as will happen on a farm...work grinds to a crawl for a few months and I'm currently searching for something to hold me over, work-wise until April. 
     Why until April, you ask?  I'll tell you...I am FINALLY going to hike the Appalachian Trail!  It's been a dream ever since attending 4-H summer camp in Stokes State Forest, at about 12.  I'm hoping to leave April 1st and how far i get along the trail will depend on finances.  The AT is close to 2,200 miles, running North from Georgia to Maine.  The average completion time for a thru-hike is 5 months.  I could say right now that I'll make it all the way - and I'm gonna do my damnedest - but I've decided to enjoy myself and not really hold back.  You see - the AT is a very social trail. Thousands of people hike it every year and you are rarely in the woods for more than 3 days at a time without having the opportunity to stop in a town.  There you have numerous opportunities to spend money - hot food, laundry, hostels or hotels with showers, replacing worn gear, etc.  So....I'm gonna go with the money that I've got to spend on this...and get as far as I can get.  If I make it to Maine...awesome!  If not...I won't regret it for a minute.  I'm ready for an amazing journey...and I can always pick it back up in the future too.  I'm really excited to spend a bunch of low-key, low-tech time in the woods...but I also can't wait to meet a bunch of interesting people and have a bunch of adventures!  I'm going to see so many places that I've never seen...and I'll share photos here.
     So that about catches you up.  Right now my days are split between job hunting and trail planning.  I'm pretty sure I am not going to bring my phone with me on this hike (well-debated...no phone won out for a bunch of reasons) so I think this blog will be a great way to stay in touch.  I'll try to check in about once a week or so.  Please...leave me comments or better yet - start a blog!  I'll follow you if you follow me. :)