Date: 2012-01-13
To: HYOH
Miles today: 0.0

HYOH has to be the most important mantra of this journey. "Hike Your Own Hike"(HYOH) I have read nearly every journal on this site. How enjoyable to watch the transformation of a prep-hiker to a completed AT thru hiker. There have been times I came across a person I really didn't care for that much. Their attitude as they hiked and their journal, were disappointing at best. About 500 trail miles later this person had transformed into a Rainbow. Their journal now interesting to read with many anxiously waiting for the next entry with great anticipation.That is what I seek from this journey. A transformation into a Rainbow, to find true Center. To enjoy this journey by the moment, nothing more. I will have maps and guidebook. I will plan nothing farther ahead than stepping on Springer Mountain.I have been anticipating a thru hike on the AT for 37+ years. I used to plan on what shelter I would stay at day by day. Everything mapped out just like a responsible dad would do. The perfect plan! Nope, my plan is simply to make sure "I have no Plan"The Trail will let me know what to do from day to day. I do have notes on places of interest learned from others journals, I hope to experience. Once my feet touch Springer I will walk till I am tired, see where the feather takes me. I want to listen to the trail and takes its advice. I can be free if I follow my own advice. I sure hope I do Lakota(My Service Dog) will accompany me on this journey. If not for him, I would have given up long ago. If Lakota gets too tired or injured on the trail, then I will enlist the services of a trail family or boarding kennel while I finish hiking. Maybe I will just have to rest with him until he is better. One significant advantage is getting to bring a 93 lb. heater on the trail with me, . I am not all that worried about his ability as he is a strong Siberian Husky, a very hardy breed of animal. He is smart and Huskies are not barkers. When Lakota barks it's heads up time. I have read all the blogs on white-blaze.net concerning pets on the AT. None of us will ever agree on everything. It is pet owners that are the problem. Pets do well when kept by responsible, loving owners. In this particular case, Lakota is my certified service dog with full credentials.I will tent out at night with Lakota as we do not wish to intrude on others experiences out here. During lunch breaks at shelters I believe Lakota will be much appreciated for his mousing abilities! He is better than any cat at mouse terminating.On hiking I don't agree with all the "purists" who believe we must step on every white blazed foot of the AT. What if a Blue Blaze trail leads to a few extra miles and some interesting scenery, ultimately re-uniting with the AT? What if that particular part of the trail is beyond my capabilities, but a blue blaze is doable? Are the individual and their choices at that moment in time not more important than any purist idea of what hiking the AT is? Is it not about immersing ourselves in the trail and the trail community?I would love to see Maine! It is not the goal, it is the Possibility! The experience is what I seek. I wish to thank all of those who have left their journals for us to read and experience, and TJ for this site. What a wonderful community of souls. Peace