Date: 2004-02-19
To: History
Miles today: 0.0

Well, here goes an attempt to recapture the post I lost yesterday. At least in spirit. Many reading this would better understand my current situation with a little historic background.        In 1989 I was in a relationship that I could no longer deal with. In my effort to escape, I remembered the few facts I knew about the Appalachian Trail. I knew the AT basically went North <----> South, that it was in Pennsylvania and part of Northern New Jersey, and that it was in the woods. Those few facts were very appealing to me at the time. So I pulled out the atlas and figured out where the closest point to my current location where I could get onto the AT. Carrying 2 packs, a Navy issue seabag (full weighing at least 60 lbs), and a huge duffle bag (probably of similar weight and dimension) I made my way to the AT just outside of Hamburg, PA. I figured I would walk south and find a place to spend the winter... let things blow over (this was early July). I stayed at my campsite for 2 days in which I met more than 20 Northbound thru-hikers. The curiosity got me thinking that North was my best bet. I slimmed down my load (by at least half) and proceeded to walk North the next morning. In the rain. With close to 60lbs (dry weight) in a Navy sea bag that had this interesting seam that (when standing still) settled in the small of my back. Now I wasn't without some information from the hikers I had met. I learned that hiking in the rain was done best shirtless. Then I would have a dry shirt to put on when I reached shelter. So I hiked about 11 miles the first day (maybe a mile short of the shelter I planned to stay in) all the while losing valuable patches of skin on my back. (yes... must have been something to do with the old saying "no skin off my back") I slept in the next morning as hikers walked by. I packed my camp and hiked another 2 miles, got a ride from a dirt road to a major highway, taking me closer to Delaware Water Gap, a place I had read about in the hiker journals. Caught another ride from a very helpful guy... (I had never heard the term "trail angel" at that point) who took me to his house, his wife fed me, they let me shower (much needed) and he gave me a tube of ointment for my back. Then he drove me to a point about 1/2 mile from a shelter on the AT. I stayed at that shelter for 2 nights, meeting a couple more hikers who were heading for DWG in the morning. So Patch and Barebutt stayed at the shelter that night, telling me more about the AT, we all packed up the next morning, and they hiked North. I walked back to the road and hitched a ride to DWG. Found the Church of the Mountain hikers center as they had described it to me, and I stayed there ... for 10 days. In that time I developed the need to hike this incredible trail some day. I got a job with the help of Pastor Karen Nickels, and later became a member of that church. This allowed me an avenue of further study of the AT. From June 1st to September 1st they would have a weekly "hiker's dinner" that thru-hikers would strive to reach. I tried to get down as often as work and transportation allowed. At these dinners, I got to meet and drill thru-hikers for information and hiking tips.        In 1995 I set out on my first attempted thru-hike. I didn't have much money, but I had credit cards ... lots of them. And I used them! I had a lot of fun, and hiked some too. I did learn a lot about the trail and terrain that year. And I was very happy to be a part of the hiking community. My thru-hike later turned into a flip-flop and I stopped in Andover, ME to do some work. On the morning of the 3rd day, I fell and blew out my ankle. I could no longer work, nor could I hike. So I spent 2 weeks in Gorham, N.H. trying to let my ankle heal. It did some, but not enough for me to continue hiking. So after about 700 miles of the AT, my hike was over. I eventually went back to the resort where I had spent more than 5 years working before the hike. I worked there another 4 years off and on, then moved to California with a good friend. I liked California (lived in and around Huntington Beach), but I could not afford it with my current debt and the high cost of rent ($1500.00 for a 2 bedroom apt.) and making less money than I was at my former resort job. So after 1 1/2 years of struggling financially, I decided to move to Georgia with my "baby" sister. She does well for herself and has a house in the Northern suburbs of the Atlanta area. I lived and worked there for about 6 months when I decided to try to get my old job back.         By this time I had already scheduled a 2005 thru-hike. When I got back to PA, the money started coming in very well. But I worked really hard for it. After a few luxury items (actually just things to keep a slim veneer of sanity) and a car I was still able to save $6000.00 toward my thru-hike in about 11 months of work. Along comes the phone call. My friend in CA and another friend we met there are going to walk to New York City ... from Huntington Beach, CA. Being the only experienced long distance hiker they knew, of course they called me for a list of things they would need on such a journey. So I gave them a list ... some must haves, some may wants. Then, after 3 days of no sleep, I called them back. I had to go along! So they threw out the list. They didn't need it if they had me along. The first call came early in May 2003, the date of departure was June 1st, 2003. I had just enough time to give my 2 weeks notice, pack and move all of my stuff, and catch a bus out to CA. (I later realized it would have been cheaper to fly), but I met a couple people on the bus who've become part of my mass email that started just after June 1st. The list started with less than 20 people and grew to more than 80 in the 4 months we were hiking. I learned a few things that will help along this thru-hike, and most of the gear I carried still has a lot of miles left in it. I had an incredible time on that trip. And spent all of my money. We walked from Huntington Beach North along the coast to the Oregon border, took a bus to Portland, then 2 of us set out from Portland and walked to Yellowstone National Park. We got some rides along the way, as we decided the adventure was more important than the walk. And we learned there was often more adventure meeting the people who would give us a ride than those willing to walk miles and miles along the road with us (none). We did walk a little more beyond Yellowstone, but the majority of our hike was over beyond that point. We were out of money, and had run into a few major environment/weather issues. So we hurried to get to Boulder, CO where I had lived in my 20s and met up with my old boss and good friend who put us up for a few days while we decided our next move. We both got some money from "home" (I had left money with friends and family for such occaisions) and set off Eastward once again. All said and done, we hiked around 1500 miles, mostly on roads we both went into states we had never been to previous ... and we met more than 100 people, many of which I would refer to as our trail angels. People helped often and they gave us so much. Even the police who did not arrest us for sleeping on the side of roads, or walking on the interstates. People took us in their homes and hearts. They gave us food, money, transportation, directions, shared stories and smiles. They made the trip!        Where to go after a trip like that? Well, I have a good friend who has put me up since our trip ended. I thought I would be going back to Georgia for awhile, but things didn't work that way. So, after Christmas and a short illness, I decided I had better get a job again. With the Nasty, Cold, Wet winter we have had, the lack of transportation, and the small town I am staying in, my options are not optimal that I would find a job that I would be happy with and that would make me enough money to save for a thru-hike. So I was thinking I would have to put my life on hold another couple of years and postpone my thru-hike. After one last attempt to get my old job back, or at least a job from my old employer, I was turned down. My options had become very limited.         Then one morning (less than a week ago) I awoke with the answer. I wasn't even sure of the question until that time... but I would hike the AT a year early. Since I only worked 5 months in 2003 I was getting all my federal income tax back, and a tax credit... making a decent return for me. I already have most of my gear from the summer adventure. Not the best gear, but sufficient to facilitate a successful thru-hike. Food and a few items will cost me, but I may be able to find some work along the trail to supplement my finances. Which until my income tax return will be near ZERO. I have a ride to the trail head when I get to Georgia (thanks mom, sis!) and I know my way along parts of the trail already from my past experience. I should be able to run into some hikers who are more prepared with guides and maps to make things a little more accurate than my memories of 9 years ago.        Anyway, this account is full of gaps, but I am sure you need no more details. And if you made it this far, you should be able to thru-hike the AT with no problem.So I start my hike when I get everything situated here, may be 3 weeks. I still have people to see and things to do... so                               SEE YOU ON THE TRAIL