Date: 2014-10-06
To: Our Reminder to HYOH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Hello all!We wanted to catch everyone up on how our prep for the Big Adventure is going. Let¢s start by discussing a strange phenomenon that has been stewing between Tumbles and I. Seems strange, but the last few weeks we have felt as though we are behind! Yes, we have not even stepped on the trail to begin the journey! How could this be? It would appear that we have forgotten the adage HYOH. As the excitement of the Appalachian Trail builds, we find ourselves reading, planning, and dreaming. During this process, we spend some time on Trail Journals, following the 2014 hikers, and even reading back through the years. Also, we like to check in on the Class of 2015. We look forward to meeting as many of you on the trail as fortune will allow. How does this make us feel behind? Some folks are really good at keeping us posted on their preparation progress, offering advice, etc. Odd that this would make someone feel like they are not keeping up. Mentioned this to our dad, and all he said was HYOH. Then it hit us, this is not a race! Competitive spirit dismissed. Relax and prepare for the Adventure of a lifetime; because we will all prepare and hike the way we want, and no one way is right or wrong. Why discuss this? Not sure, we just wanted to share this emotion as we get ready.So, what have we been doing to prepare for our hike? Since we have a lot of gear already, we have been doing our training hikes with what we currently have on hand. All the while, we have been researching new gear, in preparation for the anticipated sales this Fall and Christmas season. Plus, if we get our list hammered out, maybe Santa will be good to us. Our goal is to get the big three at about 2 lbs each, with a base load no more than 15 lbs; totally doable we believe. Also, we are taking a Wilderness First Aid class, trying new menus, and enjoying the wilderness as much as we can. Recently, we hiked out on the Fiery Gizzard Trail, (one of our favorites and only 15 minutes from home), helping out with an overnight Wilderness Survival course for the Boy Scout Troop. Tumbles worked as the Wilderness Survival Instructor at Scout Camp this last Summer. Anyone in the East Tennessee area that has not hiked on the Fiery Gizzard needs to give it a shot, and hey, drop us a line, we would love to go with you. Other changes in the plan, we are moving our start date to the weekend of March 14, 2015 in an effort to convince our Dad to hike a week with us through Georgia, since this will line up with some time off for him. Dad is also going to be our Journal and Facebook contact off the trail. We are going to send info to him so he can keep our friends and family updated on our progress. We are going to make a Facebook Group that we can keep folks updated on. This will allow people to comment easier and encourage us as we plod North; Trail Journals does not offer much in that area. Don¢t get us wrong, we love to see comments in the guest book. On an earlier post, I hinted that I wanted to do this in 90 days. Since then, I have been contemplating the ramifications of rushing North to Katahdin. This hike will take as long as it takes, I want to sit on top of some of the Mountains, rest my feet in the Mountain Streams, and enjoy the Trail for what it is. Realistically, finishing in August or September will be just fine. We really look forward to hiking with some of you folks, and just wanted to say we are still headed to the Trail this Spring. Remember, HYOH. Confido!