Date: 2015-08-08
From: Mt Katahdin

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Three weeks ago today, I summited Mt. Katahdin and finished my Northbound AT Thru Hike. It is still hard to believe I am done. It already seems ages ago! Since I finished my hike a month earlier than I had originally anticipated and it was still way too hot and humid to return to Florida in August, I decided to return to Vermont and hike the remaining 170 miles of the Vermont Long Trail. So my husband picked me up in Maine and dropped me off at the Inn at the Long Trail in Killington, Vermont. I hitch hiked to Base Camp Outfitters and purchased the Long Trail map. An hour and a half later, I was back on the trail hiking to Maine Junction where the AT and LT split off. That¢s another adventure which I will post under the Long Trail. I have been home for almost three days now. It has been wonderful reconnecting with family and friends whom I have not seen for five months, as well as sleeping in a bed. However, not a day has gone by that I have not thought about my AT hike and the amazing people I met along the way. The first morning after I returned, it took me 10 minutes to get dressed. I had worn one of two t-shirts and the same pair of shorts for the past few months. Suddenly having choices along with clothes that did not fit any more turned a simple task into a project! I will confess eating fresh vegetables, taking daily showers and not having to filter water are wonderful luxuries which I appreciate even more. Am I a different person now than before I started?   Yes and no. 21 weeks is long enough to change a person, some habits and perspective. But is it long enough to stick in a very different environment? I guess only time will tell. At a minimum, I am very grateful that I was able to take a ¢time out¢ and experience the Appalachian Trail. I started hiking the trail as a ¢happy accident¢ since I initially decided to hike the AT because someone else wanted to do it and did not want to hike alone, not because it was on my bucket list. Then she could not go, but I decided to go anyway. I had no idea what to expect or if I would even enjoy long distance hiking and backpacking. My thru hike was an amazing experience that surpassed anything I could have ever imagined. I am so glad I did it! I can honestly say I never wanted to quit hiking the AT. I definitely had some tough moments when I was ready to stop hiking for the day or be done with a particular section. But I never wanted to quit my hike. I know this is because of the amazing hikers, trail angels, drivers willing to give smelly hikers a ride, hostel workers, trail journal readers and my incredibly supportive family and friends all over the world who kept me motivated every step of the way. Thank you again to everyone!! Your support truly made a difference to me. To anyone out there who is contemplating a thru hike, section hike or just wants to enjoy a few miles on the trail . . . Stop thinking about it and just hike! There will never be a perfect time or perfect preparation. Yes, you do need some preparation; however, you probably do not need as much as you think. The trail is challenging and physical, but it is the mental approach that will get you to the end. I met 5 year old and 76 year old hikers. Slow and fast hikers. Low and high mileage hikers. Solo and people who hiked with other people. Low and big budgets. You can adapt your hike to meet your specific needs. If you ever want to chat about my hike, please send me an e-mail at tkwinters@yahoo.comThank you again and happy trails!!South Pole