Date: 2015-03-13
To: Just getting ready
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

WOW, it appears I am really going to do this - thru hike the AT. I have wanted to do this since I first learned about the AT while working in the Allegheny National Forest on a YCC summer crew, many, many years ago. I actually thought it would be a great way to spend my honeymoon whenever I got married, until I realized that I would want a bed and a shower, and hopefully my new spouse would want the same, on a very regular basis.I have told only a few people of my plans. Most folks I know have no idea what the AT is or have any appreciation for or desire to be outdoors. They think all my adventures are crazy. Maybe they are, but I love the beauty, freedom, challenges, and sense of adventure that being in the wilderness provides. I am sure anyone reading this will have questions. Frankly I do too. 1. Aren't you afraid?Yes, anyone with an ounce of common sense would be afraid. But I am not afraid of what most people expect.I am most afraid I will not be back before my little dog Morgan dies. She turns 16 in June. I so hope she will wait until I get back so we can say our goodbyes in person.I am afraid of the other people on the trail. Not so much the other AT hikers, but those who harass, harm, or kill AT hikers. Fortunately, there have been extremely few instances of AT hikers being harmed or killed. I am afraid of falling or otherwise becoming injured.I am afraid of getting lime disease.And I am afraid of failing to complete my thru hike and reaching Katahdin by October 15th, 2015.2. Why are you doing this?I need some time alone to work some things out.My Grandfather instilled in me the love of hiking and the wilderness. In a way, I hope he is coming along with me in spirit on this journey.Because of my personal circumstances, now is the best possible time in my life to take this journey. Of course, none of us are getting any younger. In a big way, I feel it is now or never.In many ways I feel I have been preparing to take this journey all my life.3. Why "WINSTON" as a trail name?For years I have had a quote from Winston Churchill that I have kept dear to my heart "never, never, never, never, never give in ... " Most people paraphrase it to never, never, never, never, never, give up. I think that quote is very appropriate and will apply many times on this journey.2015 marks the 50th anniversary of Winston Churchill's death. He was an incredible man. I wanted to honor him by adopting Winston as my trail name. 4. What will you miss while you are gone?Obviously I will miss my spouse and my little dog Morgan. I will also miss seeing and talking with my friends, and all the activities that I usually do at various times of the spring, summer, and fall.I very strongly suspect I will miss showering regularly, flush indoor toilets, drinkable water directly from a sink, air conditioning, heat, and regular mail.And I will miss Maggie, my Subaru Forester, with whom I have taken so many wonderful adventures. Sorry old girl, as much as I would like to, I cannot take you on this trip.5. What do you hope to gain by thru hiking the AT?I hope to safely finish the thru hike, which will give me an incredible sense of personal accomplishment. I also hope I come back with a sense of inner peace and understanding. In the next few years there will be several major changes in my life. I hope this journey helps me make that transition. I have about 1 week left before I hit the trail. While I look forward to the adventure, I know it will not be easy by any stretch of the imagination.As with all my other travels and adventures, I know that the journey IS the destination. I plan to enjoy every precious moment of my AT journey.