Date: 2007-11-24
To: Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

In 2006 I began my first attempt to through hike the Appalachian Trail, making it from Springer Mountain, Georgia to the Mohican Outdoor Center in New Jersey. Along the way I had wonderful times with many hiking friends who still keep in touch. I somehow contracted Guillian Barre Syndrome and was admitted into the Newton, New Jersey hospital for 10 days, ending my hopes for 2006. My illness caused me to become temporarily paralyzed. After I went home I was able to use a walker to stand, then walked in a pool and eventually was able to stand and walk unaided. Through the winter I went to a gym and walked while planning my through hike for 2007.On February 24, 2007 I started my through hike with my daughter, Beth, who was trail named Taken by her husband. He hoped by introducing herself as Taken she would get the message across. We hiked from Springer Mountain, Georgia to north of the Smokies. Taken wanted to continue but after a month on the trail, had to go home to her family. I left my first family and continued with my new hiking family to continue my adventure. I love the Trail World: the freedom, the quietude, the peacefulness and the camaraderie created a wonderful place. As I continued hiking I gained skills and became fit and at home in the forest. I watched winter turn into spring, then summer, and toward the end fall began to show. Oh how I loved the times spent on my journey, which turned into my mission. The later, more northern sections offered bigger challenges and bigger rewards. Eventually my 100 mile celebrations became a countdown. Soon, sooner than I liked, the final chapter was written. The hike came to a close. The long-awaited summit of Katahdin was my final exam; a last chance to use all of my skills and to test my mettle. The hike was more than a second attempt completed after an illness derailed me on my first attempt. I am home again. I am still trying to figure out what happened to me. I miss the action, the camping in a new place every night, the surprises, the new scenery and new friends discovered every day. The hike was challenging with rewards unexpected and wonderful. There was an exciting sense of discovery. My planning, dreaming, and preparation gave me the opportunity to live in what turned out to be an adventure beyond anything I could imagine. My experience in the past has been that the anticipation is greater than the realization. Quite the opposite is true as I walked from start to finish where the white blazes lead me each day.Along the way I walked with many who shared their adventure with me. I have been blessed in so many ways because of my trail experience. My through hike exposed me to many special friends. I met many special trail angels along the way who contributed greatly to my success. I have a lifetime of memories and stories. I have now returned home and am comfortable and cleaned up. I enjoy all the conveniences and pleasures that a home provides, but there¢s wildness just beneath my surface waiting to bust loose. I feel the call of the forest even now two months after finishing the hike. Along the way home from Maine I drove near the trail route, stopping again in Damascus and Hot Springs, hiking some along the Shenandoah¢s and hiking in Grayson Highlands. Since returning home, I¢ve gone back to North Georgia to hike the beginning section again. My through hike is over but I still like visiting outfitter stores and looking at equipment. I guess I am addicted. When I get dressed, my hiking clothes feel the most comfortable. I still miss the forest. I am already thinking about another hike. There is so much going on everyday at home and I am happy and feel complete here. I do not want to run away or escape anything. I just want to hike again. I can wait knowing the forest and Trail World will call to me someday. First I must pick out my summit picture and send cards of thanks to those that I hiked with, the friends, the family, the angels and the wonderful people at the hostels and the trail clubs. So many people added so much to my Trail World adventure, I send you all my gratitude and love.Trail Friends and Family ¢ if you don¢t hear from me, please send me your contact information so I can keep in touch. Also, if you would like to talk about your adventure or have room for another adventurer on your next outings please contact me via my guestbook.Bushwhacker