Date: 2012-11-05
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Miles today: 0.0
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My name is Kathleen Stephens, I am 54 years old, and I am planning to walk 2000+ miles next spring. For those of you who know me, this probably comes as quite a surprise. I have never been an athlete, never any kind of a jock. While I have always liked camping and enjoying nature, I've never been what you might call a hard-core outdoorsperson (is that even a word?) So how did all this come about?I have been married to my best friend and soul mate, Mike for 36 years. He used to backpack, and even mentioned the AT (Appalachian Trail) in years past. But I was busy with child-rearing, and so quite distracted, and honestly, the idea of carrying everything on my back, and going without hot showers and flush toilets just did not sound like fun. Yes, I loved to camp, but I liked nice state park campgrounds, where you could pull the car right up to your campsite and thus could bring all sorts of fun comfort items, and coolers with ice for your Mt. Dew, and rocking camp chairs with beverage holders in the arms. Where there are bathhouses with hot and cold running water, and flush toilets. That was my idea of camping. I thought I was roughing it because I used a tent instead of an RV.So, for many years, I was content with dayhikes and campground camping. Mike did take a few solo backpacking trips, and I really could not see the appeal. That has changed now, and I can tell you exactly how it changed. It all started when I bought a kayak. I took my beloved 12 foot Pungo out on the beautiful Tennessee lakes and rivers all around me. I went alone, and I loved the solitude, the peace and quiet, the beauty of nature. One day I was on a section of the peaceful Sequatchie River that was new to me. Rounding a bend, I was confronted with a small waterfall that I didn't know was there. I didn't have time to avoid it, so I said a quick prayer, picked what looked like the best route down, and went for it. It was only about a four or five foot drop, but my kayak (and my skills, probably) weren't up for it, and I stuck on a rock at a 45 degree angle. I had to get out, abandon the boat, and end up walking for help. Hours later, it was dark, I wasn't near any roads, and felt I was in a dangerous situation, so I called the rescue squad, and had to be "rescued". (There is a lot more to this story. Ask me in person some time, for the long version.) I went back the next day for the kayak, and all was well, but I realized that if I had just had a few basic supplies in the boat with me, I could have camped for the night on the riverbank, and paddled out the next day. I would need a small tent, some extra food and water, a flashlight, and fire-starting material. So, I got all those materials and kept them in the boat just in case another emergent situation like that should ever happen again. But then I realized, that since now I was equipped for an overnight, I could make planned overnight trips, and thus take my boat on longer trips, farther from home. So that's what I did, and it was very exciting to me to be able to go so far, and stop where I wanted and set up a camp, and stay by myself and then pack up in the morning and paddle some more. I found that I was not as prissy as I had been when I was younger, and that I didn't miss the porcelain bathrooms, or daily showers. Once that realization was made, it was only a small step to taking my same gear out backpacking instead of kayaking, to be able to go to more new places, and to include Mike on my adventures (who doesn't like kayaking). We could backpack together now!While reading about backpacking, of course the AT kept coming up. I live only a couple of hours from the southern terminus of the AT, Springer Mountain, Georgia. I read a few trail journals, and that was it, I was hooked, I had to give it a go. Mike was in, at first, and we planned on going together, and we figured out systems to find a house-sitter for the approximate five to six months we'd be gone, and manage our finances, jobs, businesses, etc. Then Mike decided he really didn't want to do it, but he would support me if I wanted to go. So that's how we got here. He's going to keep the home fires burning, and transcribe my journal entries for me once I hit the trail. There really couldn't be a better husband, and I am so blessed to have him. I never forget that, and I do feel some sorrow and regret about being away from him for so long. It is the only thing that makes me think twice about actually going. But, we have worked it out the best we can, he is going to come see me along the way, camping with me some, riding his bike along roads that parallel the Trail where possible, etc. We will see each other as much as we can, and be in phone contact when we can't. I could not do it without him, and he is behind me all the way.So, I am now preparing for the adventure that begins in five months. I will write again soon and detail some of my preparations. I am excited and curious and nervous and happy and many other emotions all at the same time, when I think about the hike, which is often. I'm not brave, which people often say I must be to attempt such a thing. I just refuse to let my fears keep me from experiencing all that this beautiful world has to offer. My children are grown, my health is good, I have the resources to attempt something like this for a very brief window of my life--I have to give it a try.