Date: 2016-08-30
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I don't know who introduced trailjournals.com to me but know that I was pulled into the AT as I read and read and read. Beth couldn't understand how I spent so much time reading trailjournals over the last several years. But then Beth became hooked and began reading many trailjournal writers' entries this year and she "gets it" now. A final thanks to my daughter, Anne, who posted many journals on short notice. If not for her, I doubt that I could've kept journaling each day. What I saw in the trailjournal entries read before this year's hike and what was this year's experience is that the AT provides a blank canvas for each of its hikers. What each hiker does with it is entirely of their own choosing. And hikers make countless decisions as we pursue this trail - decisions about who we do or don't spend time with as we hike or rest, decisions about whether we rest in shelters or tent at commonly-shared locations or stealth sites, decisions about how much we share with each other about what we are thinking or feeling, decisions about the pace that we intend to or actually hike. There are so many unique hikers out here. They add so much as we move through this challenging and beautiful trail. Then there are the stationary people, who anchor specific locations as they provide nourishment or shelter in their own ways and preferences. The Doyle in Duncannin, PA is a must stop on the AT with Vicky being my favorite and Greasy Creek Friendly's Connie being the most unique - go ahead Blues Brother and Fresh Ground, sing her song. If you want to spoil yourself then get to Cantarosso Farm in Erwin, Tennessee or White House Landing in Maine's 100 Mile Wilderness. I could go on and on because there are so many memories of these wonderful characters and places. This trail enables each hiker to "hike your own hike." It's amazed me to see this play out this year. It amazed me to see how very different hikers came together to thoroughly enjoy each other and form trail families or move along to hike on their own or find company more to their liking. If I were granted one AT wish or mulligan, I'd use mine to remain more open to others throughout the journey. I realized too late that I shut myself off from other hikers by tenting instead of sleeping in shelters and by staying in hotels instead of hostels or by not stopping to talk longer as we passed. I was so much more comfortable in my tent or hotel or was in too much of a hurry. But I'm positive that this comfort or pace came at the expense of not meeting more hikers - hikers who would have energized and fueled me. I was fascinated by so many I spoke with - whether they were hiking for that day, a few days, a few months this year after having hiked some before or intending to hike more in the future, or those who pursued hiking it all in one year in one continuous direction or split into sections. Appreciating and respecting each other is so important and leads to beauty that rivals what is seen over this trail's many miles. As I now am in my comfortable home, I realize that this AT wish extends to life beyond the trail and that my challenge will be to find ways to be more open here too. Subman reminded me during the last two weeks that I told him I wasn't a hiker when we originally met. I am still learning and am not sure I am a hiker yet. But I hiked the AT! Trust me when I say that if I can do it. You can do it too. All the best to you and your loved ones. Happy Hiking!