Date: 2018-03-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

fifteen days and counting!  The pressure is on!  I have so much to do in 15 days including: going back to Florida with my daughter and granddaughter who will be visiting for a few days, then a visit from my son and his girlfriend for a few days, four 12 hour shifts at the hospital, getting all of our bills in order for the hubby to manage, and make sure my backpack is right.  Whew!  It¢s a lot! I think I just had my freak out moment. Okay, it¢s time for me to tell you why I¢m doing this.  The idea started as something unique I wanted to do in honor/memory of my dad.  I would say that I was a daddy¢s girl.  He was a hunter, an athlete, and just an overall good human being. Excellent father!  I spent many Illinois winter  nights in the woods with him coon hunting. He taught me about survival, keeping a level head in moments of chaos, and respect for nature.  He didn¢t spend a lot of time in the mountains, but he loved them.  He would always say ¢this is God¢s country sis¢.  Dad was not a religious man, but he was definitely right with God.  The idea of me hiking the A.T. Was born about 2.5 years ago during a time in my life when I was in the worst physical condition I have ever been in.  I was just coming back from a surgery. My body had gone soft, falling apart literally.  So I started walking as soon as the doc gave me a green light. Dad crossed my mind a lot during these walks.  He was an adventurer.  He and I had talked about going to a dude ranch just before he got sick and died.  I knew if he were here, he would have taken these walks with me.  I thought he would have  even walked the A.T. with me... and so it began. I started doing research. Eventually I began taking day hikes. All the while I was remembering, reliving, my love for the outdoors and nature.  This has been the most therapeutic process for my soul, with bonus physical benefits. I still have horrible joint pains that I¢m sure will never go away.  I¢ve had surgery on both knees, my left acromiolclavicular joint has been cut out, discs removed in my low back and replaced with synthetic discs then rods, screws, and bone grafting.  I¢ve had to take time off from work betweeen these surgeries, but somehow I¢ve managed to be a trauma nurse through it all. In some pretty busy ER¢s too. I¢m not a quitter.  I know if I don¢t use it, I¢ll lose it.  I¢m hoping this is the first and last time you ever hear from me that I¢m in pain.  I am in pain all the time, but pain does not dictate my life. Once again the question comes WHY am I hiking the A.T.?  The obvious answer is to honor my father, and it did start out that way, but boy oh boy the WHY¢s have grown!  Dad is always front and center, but my husband has jumped on board.  He started hiking with me.  We¢ve hiked Springer together, we¢ve hiked up to 9850 ft elevation in the Rockies, and we¢ve enjoyed some awesome meanderings in the cascades.  We¢ve also hiked a bit of the Appalachians in New York along with our grandson CJ.  Papa Big Swig (aka my hubby) has become my biggest cheerleader, organizer, and overall supporter for this adventure.  Without him, nothing about this hike would be happening.  So I¢m also hiking for my hubs who is doing all he can to make this a success for me.  I don¢t want to let him down.Now for the crazy part of it...I need to get away from the world.  I¢m having difficulty living in this computerized generation.  Electronics are great when they work.  Mine seem to have issues every day.  I know they are a must in todays world so I do it, but I don¢t want to.  I miss dialing a phone from home only. I carry my cell phone with me, I¢m always available, but I don¢t want to be.  I miss having 3 channels only, and  PBS.  I¢ve actually completely given up TV.  TV was a significant contributor to me going soft!  I don¢t even own one anymore.  One day I said to my husband ¢here we sit watching others live and not living our own lives¢.  I cannot imagine the hours that probably add up to years wasting my own life watching others live theirs. It took him a bit to let go, but now we have no televisions in our home.  I guess I could say my brain needs a rest.  Time to hear God, be mesmerized by a babbling brook, challenged in ways that are a joy to face and overcome.  You techie¢s can call it a re-boot!(Giggling just a little). Lastly, I¢m looking for inspiration.  Inspiration to write a book.  I¢ve had the pleasure of meeting someone who¢s story needs told.  She sings like a bird!  It¢s time to get her out of the cage, and watch her spread her wings to fly! She will not be the focus of my journal, it¢s all about my hike, but stay tuned for more info on the book.  You will love her!  I was pleasantly surprised to see that someone has already started reading my journal!  I know I won¢t always be able to do this, but thanks for your kind words of encouragement!  You have no idea what it means to see ¢Connie¢ as my first follower.  I don¢t think this was a coincidence, and I hope you enjoy my hike.  What do I think I¢ll get out of my hike?  Hopefully a renewed sense of wellbeing!  In the medical world we calll it homeostasis.  I need homeostasis of my body, mind, and soul.  And of course I¢m hoping for some wicked bragging rights!  Until next timeBlue Raccoon (2018)