Date: 2007-03-18
To: Memories 1 year later
Miles today: 0.0

Last year at this time I was hiking in pursuit of my AT dream. I started at Springer on March 15th at 9:00am on a cold and sunny day. I chose to ride with Josh from the Hikerhostel to the parking lot .9mi from Springer. I chose to start my hike here rather than the Amacalola approach trail because those miles weren't AT miles. I was already conscious of not doing more than I had to. We hopped out of his Suburban and I immediately felt the cold wind. I remember searching for my gloves that I had put in my fanny pack back at the hostel but couldn't find them. I then tore into my pack to look for them and again couldn't find them. I decided to hike to Springer without them thinking I left them in the Suburban. When I arrived at Springer I met up with Jenifer and Kerri from Austin Texas who were also dropped off by Josh. My thought was oh crap the girl who stopped to have a cigarette (Jenifer) when we got out of the car got there before me. I was fortunate they were there because they took the pictures of me on Springer; if I had been alone I wouldn't have pictures.I then tore into my pack and fanny pack again to look for the gloves; this time I did find them, in the fanny pack where I had put them. The first few days I kept misplacing things right where I left them. I guess it was all the anxiety of being on the trail. The girls started off while I played with my gear so I had some time alone on the mountain. I stopped and picked up a small rock which I carried for my entire journey and is now somewhere on Katahdin.Soon after I started I met a ridge runner, by the trailname of Many Sleeps. He asked me if I was thru-hiking to Katahdin for which I replied I hope I can make it that far. His response was one of encouragement and he said something like "Oh you'll make it". I was so full of doubt and anxiety that day but one thing was for sure I wanted to thru-hike the AT and I was starting to do it.Now that the class of 2007 is hitting the trail and I'm reading there journals I find myself longing for to be with them. As they write about the shelters and the mountains it brings me back to that time once again. As they describe a shelter or hill I picture it in my head and once again my mind is there. I told my wife Sue we need to have a birthday party for my baby blue crocs, they're a year old today. Last year at this time I was at Neels gap, I bought these Crocs because they were so light. I didn't want this color but this was the only pair that fit me. At first I felt funny wearing baby blue crocs but now they are a badge of honor from my glory days on the AT.I've decided to continue writing my trailjournal as I look back at my hike. I keep reliving the hike in my mind every time I share it with others. I've done two group presentations where I show a slide video I made with my pictures and then talk about the hike. I display my equipment and do a question and answer session. As we talk I get excited about hiking and long to be out there once again. In my video I have a slide that says "WARNING Long distance thru-hiking is a life changing addictive behavior". For me it was I can't wait to get back out and go hiking.Hi All,Chris here... This is the "Slide Show" Old Goat is referring to, enjoy!!Hiking the Appalachian Trail - Following a Dream