Date: 2007-01-17
To: Confession No. 2
Miles today: 0.0

On a lighter note, REASONS WHY I WANT TO HIKE THE AT ANYWAY1. I may have little backpacking experience, but I have extensive experience defecating in a self-dug hole. I am also not a stranger for being dirty for days at a time. During family camping trips we always camp in the primitive spots where you have to drive 3 hours (but only 30 mi) to a toilet and a shower.2. Runners' knee can be healed with a few weeks of rest. 3. I may have little experience with cold and ice...but I have 22 years of experience with HEAT. I feel fine in temperatures over 95 degrees. Plus, in the past 3 days I have come to the conclusion that 30 degrees is not all that cold, anyway. So there.4. My stubborness may counter my short attention span. I am known to have a one track mind, and once I get something in my head I won't let anyone dissuade me.5. Maybe I can rationalize staying on the trail for 6 months...Okay, I know I'm stretching that one a bit.6. I'm not in the worst shape imaginable. I've been doing the eliptical for 40 minutes 3 days a week, and I can still jog more than a mile...7. Hiking the trail may help me come out of my shell.8. I feel comfortable eating junk food as a meal. Pass the Snickers, please!9. I have a point to prove. I want to prove to myself that I'm not completely helpless and incompetent. I need to regain some measure of self sufficiency that I haven't had to strengthen in the past.10. I'm ready to do something which requires VITALITY. I spent my entire Christmas vacation playing SIMS 2 and watching movies. I feel like I am wasting my time concentrating on things that aren't real. I need to get back down to the basics and learn to appreciate the absolute comfort I live in.11. I am absolutely tired of school and I want to do something that will distance me from the academic world in the most extreme way I can think of. I'll be graduating from the University of Texas this coming May, and I am determined to be on the trail as soon as possible after that. Unfortunately that means Spring 2008 since I want to be a northbounder. But that gives me time to save some money, which is easy since I have few bills.12. I want to do something that's not completely ordinary. Hiking the AT is something that no one I know has done. I'm tired of just following in the footsteps of my parents or envying my friends. It's my turn to do something for me. Most people in Texas don't even know what the AT is!13. I have never visited the East Coast states. Ever. And I think it's time. Plus, I'm tired of mesquite tree forests. Ready for some real trees!14. I don't expect hiking the AT to be conventional fun. In fact I imagine it to be miserable much of the time. Nonetheless, I still want to do it. This means I desire a physical and mental challenge and not a six month vacation. 15. This may be a once in a lifetime experience for me. I'll have just graduated and have moved back in with my parents for awhile. What better way could I spend the time in my life between college and a career. Once I get a real job I probably won't ever be able to get six months off of work. I think I should try to hike the trail while I still have the opportunity. Even if I don't reach the end, at least I'll have tried.And so you see, the pros outweigh the cons. I guess I'll see some of you in March 2008!