It's Getting Real

Wow, with roughly 62 days, 4 hours, 6 minutes, and 11 seconds (not that I’m counting) left before my life changing journey I just wanted to take a minute to catch my breathe and finally grasp how real this is getting. I had a dream last week where I found myself on the trail on the first day. As I was walking it hit me that I was on THE Appalachian Trail. For some reason, in my dream, I fell to my knees and wanted to cry because I was so happy. It was an awesome feeling. As each day goes by, the realism of this journey becomes more and more of a reality to me. Idealism is now becoming practicality and with that a few truths have really stuck out to me.


First, wow, the gear and its expenses. Yeah, I am blown away by the technology of today’s equipment but with that come the prices. I really don’t know how I am going to overcome this. I have a very small budget so I am really picking and choosing what I am buying. Since I am on a limited budget I am totally prioritizing the gear. My main priority is my feet. I can not skimp on footwear. If you don’t take care of your feet while on the trail, well, that’s all folks. You can’t walk. Then, you gotta have clothing that does not stay wet for very long so you have to get shirts and jackets that dry quickly. Again, with that come the prices. I’m really hoping to be able to get the main essentials, which I should but all of the extra stuff will have be remain on the shelves because I ain’t buyin’. I’m hoping that I can borrow anything from anyone and I know I will give it back. It’s just tough because no one I know actually has hiking stuff. Most people I know don’t even know what a pack is. Oh well. I really wish I could borrow a good jacket and an awesome hiking tent. If I could borrow a warm hiking jacket and tent then that would save me tons.

Second, again wow, I am totally getting rid of most of my possessions. TV, bed, couches, kitchen ware, washer and dryer, a lot of my clothes, various other stuff….all gone. If anyone wants anything please let me know soon. Hahaha I guess since I am the only one who really reads this stuff it’s not very effective advertising now is it. Oh well. But yeah, I am going to be driving to Maryland from Texas around March 26th and I fully intend on having only my beloved Civil War books and smaller other stuff. When I decided to hike the trail last September I remember thinking, “Yeah, I’ll get rid of most of my stuff but I don’t have to think about it now because that is such a long way off.” Well, now is that time. Not to mention, I have to be out of my apartment February 28th and I’m not leaving ole Texas until March 26th. There’s a little over a 3 week gap there of staying on couches and floors.

Thirdly, another thing I haven’t figured out as of yet is what I am going to do with my car. Could anyone use a car for a few months???? (Again with the ineffective advertising) Seriously, I can’t just let the payments go. On top of that, I have my college loan payments that are more than my car. Oh well, if I can’t find anyone to take this over then I will make due with the situation. I will find a way. Through God nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37).

At the waaaaaay bottom of my list is fourthly (is that even a word?). My situation after the end of the trail is not very clear. That is where my faith in God will be truly a beautiful sight to see. I have no idea what I am going to do after the trail but I do know that I want to serve him and help others serve him. With that, I do not get stressed about money, jobs, this, and that. A sense of ease comes over me that I know I will be taken care of. I truly believe that God will take care of. Does that mean I will have a mansion, have lots of money, and have a beautiful model wife waiting for me when I get off of the trail? Absolutely not, in fact, I might have to endure a little “suffering” from the worldly things but I will be ok. I will be taken care of.

So there you have it. Those are the things that have stuck out at me as I get ever so close to my dream. I really don’t know where this is going to take me. I don’t know how it will end and who it will bring me near. I do know that I will embrace every second of this journey and I will always be thankful to God that he has given me this opportunity no matter what happens, good or bad.

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