Date: 2013-01-06
To: Fast Changes.......
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Well, things are coming along as far as my gear and my planning. However...the extra work in the Asheville area that I was relying upon has suddenly dried up. I had to face the reality this past week that there would be no way I would be able to save the extra 4-5 thousand dollars if I was unable to get the weekend work that would make that possible.   So....I had to make some very fast choices in order for my dream of thru hiking the trail in 2013 come to fruition. Perseverance...."The steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement". The picture above says it all!!!! :0)   Clearly, I had to CHANGE the course of action...but by doing so, I have made my thru hike not only possible but a given. AND, I will be in a much more favorable financial position.   Ive taken a contract position in Dunn NC for the next 13 weeks starting on Jan 14th. It's about 35 minutes south of Raleigh. It won't give me the 4-5000 extra that I need...but will provide me with a much more attractive 8000 extra!!! I couldn't pass it up!!! So, I'm all set as far as finances go. But, I am now going to be away from the mountains and the people here that I LOVE so very much!!!!! I didn't plan on saying goodbye so quickly and so suddenly!   It's kind of left me reeling!!!    My last day of work will be this Friday and I will drive to Dunn NC on Sunday to start work on Monday. I will be starting the trail 13 weeks from the day I start work there. I had a conversation with my friend Sarah about my fears and why I was feeling so much anxiety. She said, "Sharon, you are freaking out a little because now you know that the time is drawing very near...you are on a countdown...13 weeks". This is very true! It's also very difficult to have to go live and work in an unfamiliar place for 3 months ...I will miss my friends and co-workers so much!!!!!   But!!!! The trail is my #1 priority and I need to do whatever is necessary to make it happen :0)   So...even though it's been a bit of a rough couple days for me emotionally...I need to pull my big girl hiking pants up and get on with it!!!! :0) I'm proud of myself that I found another plan of action so quickly and am moving forward. Yes, it will be difficult to be away from the mountains and my friends. But I will keep busy training as much as I can in a gym out there and by running on the Cape Fear Trail.    Since I don't know anyone out there, I will be able to focus completely on what I need to do before April 14th. Unfortunately, I don't think I will see these mountains again until the weekend of April 14th as I drive to the approach trail at Ammacola. That makes me really, really sad!! But, I think I will be like a little kid when I begin the AT...digging my feet into the trail that I love so very much and setting out on an unbelievable adventure!!!!   Yep, lots of change! But all for the good. I'm not much for goodbyes though....especially this quickly. So Ill apologize to my friends that I love here...I am so sorry if I don't seem like myself. I just need to keep my goal in full focus! April 14th is right around the corner and I look forward to all of my friends experiencing this adventure with me thru this journal!!!