Date: 2009-11-09
To: Final Reflections
Miles today: 0.0

A year ago Tag-along and I frequently hiked up and down the side of Lookout Mountain, working to get in shape for our 2009 thru hike. One cold day we met a local couple that has since become great friends. Debbie and Charlie Tucker, or Mawee and Pawee as they are known on the trail, are 2003 AT thru hikers. I remember asking about their thru hike experience. As Mawee shared memories a noticeable gleam became evident in her eyes. It was as though thinking about the trail took her back to another wonderful place and time.Forty-five days have passed since Tag-along and I climbed the summit of Mt. Katahdin, ending our epic thru hiking adventure. No doubt we have that noticeable gleam in our eyes as well. Thru hiking the trail is a wonderful life changing experience ¢ one that we highly recommend to others without hesitation.The trail has a way of creating lifelong friendships. Sharing laughs and good times as well as encouragement when things get tough creates a strong bond among hikers of all ages. The friendships that Tag-along and I developed along the way are a very special aspect of our thru hike experience.The kindness and generosity of strangers that we encountered is still amazing to us. Trail magic took on many forms ¢ unexpected food and drink in the middle of nowhere, scheduled hiker feeds, rides in and around town, free lodging and showers. Thank you to everyone that supported us along the way! Living outdoors for over six months was incredible. Tag-along and I miss many of the sounds we became so accustomed to ¢ birds in the daytime forest, owls at night, loons, the wind and rain. We experienced all types of weather and learned to accept whatever conditions Mother Nature and the trail provided. Now, as we day hike at home, we find ourselves automatically assessing streams (that looks like great water) and spots in the woods (we could camp there).Tag-along and I returned home physically altered. Specifically, I lost thirty-five pounds and she lost twenty. Since being home, we¢ve reined in our substantial thru hiker appetites and incorporated more fruits and vegetables into our diet. We enjoy hiking, biking, and working out regularly. Our stiff legs and feet are a reminder that we pushed our bodies to extraordinary limits. Like many thru hikers that came before us, Tag-along and I realize that we don¢t require a lot to be happy. Many items in my clothes closet are headed to Goodwill. Other possessions have been put on eBay as well.Tag-along and I are often asked, would we do this again? While we have no plans to tackle a 2000-mile hike anytime soon, we do look forward to getting back on the trail. This spring we hope to join a friend, Nice Lenses, as he resumes his AT hike. In August we plan to thru hike the 230-mile Superior Trail in Minnesota. To each of you that have followed our journal and signed our Guest Book ¢ thank you! The constant support and encouragement was uplifting as we tackled the day-to-day challenges of thru hiking. Lastly, many of our journal readers aspire to thru hike the AT. If we can be of any support to you, don¢t hesitate to email (daneward@tvn.net and imoutside@tvn.net).