Almost There!!!

Good ole Nance-ito Burrito (my mom, Nancy) informed me that we will be leaving the house at 5am for Georgia on Wednesday (3/31/10).  We will be driving from Maryland to Georgia which will take approximately 11 hours where she is going to be dropping me off.  I just can not believe that it is almost here.  Seriously, wow!!!

So, I had to make a trusty old decision about the trail today.  I could not find out if there is a suitable road that leads to the top of Springer Mountain.  I saw that there is a dirt road that may or may not be closed but nothing of the tourist variety.  Arrrgh!!  I guess I’ll be humpin’ it from Amicalola Falls State Park.  For those that do not know, AFSP is the 8 mile approach trail to the start of the Appalachian Trail.  From all accounts of this trail, this is not a leisurely stroll in the park.  The worst part is, the part that I could not grasp, that it doesn’t count on the total mileage of the AT.  So, most people do the approach trail, stay the night on Springer, and THEN “start” the trail.  Is it just me or does this seem weird?  It’s like pre-season NFL football.  The first game is great but by game 4 of the preseason you’re like “come on already.”  After mile one you realize it doesn’t even count on your total mileage. 

I make no apologies to the AT purists.  Guys, lets make Amicalola the start of the trail!  Any who, that’s where I’m starting…I think.  If you’re reading this and I don’t have your phone number and you want to be a part of the text updates I will be sending, shoot me an email with your phone number.  I promise I will only send texts every couple of weeks and not blow up your phone.

Lastly, I just wanted to say that I am sooooo happy with the amount of support I have received.  I am still in awe with how people are reaching out to me and saying “good luck” and stuff.  That really means the world to me.  Please please please please don’t forget me after this week.  I’m the kind of person that thrives off of simple things like a guest book entry, email, or text.  Please remember me in a few months and I promise I will think of you.

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. (Deuteronomy 31:8)

One Life

9 Days

Well, 9 days until the big journey.  My friend said to me “wow, this has really gone by quickly.”  False, not for me.  I feel like a chained up pit-bull who sees a piece of steak just outside of its reach.  Every day is just dragging.

Friday was my last day at work.  Kind of sad.  I’m going to miss my team at COAF.  I really enjoyed working there and I got along with everyone in my department.  I was sad to see them go but this walk is just bigger than working right now.  My guess is that 99% of all people don’t understand this concept but that a small 1% does. It is kind of scary knowing I don’t have another paycheck coming my way but I have a faith that God will take care of me in one way or another.  There might be some hungry days ahead but I’m ok with that.  Nothing will take my faith away. 

I got to meet The Fugitive today.  That’s Dave’s trail name from when he thru hiked the AT in 1997.  He was a great source of information regarding the trail.  I explained to him my fears and my perceptions and he gave me advice.  I think the best advice he gave me was to not focus on getting to Maine everyday but focus on that particular day’s goal.  It’s easy to lose focus when you’ve walked 100 miles but it only shows that you’ve walked an inch on a map.  My goal will not to be thinking of Maine but thinking of what that day’s journey will bring me. 

I snapped a few pictures of my gear spread out.  I’ll post them up here.  This is minus a few items such as some toiletries and all my food.  It’s too early to buy food especially when I have to drive to MD from TX on Friday. 

“For nothing is impossible with God.” –Luke 1:37

One Life 

Dear AT

Dear AT,

You are all I think about.  Am I ready for you?  I think I am but who can ever be sure until I’m on your beautiful path.  Do I have all of my gear for you?  I am pretty sure I am going to be well equipped for whatever you throw at me.  In fact, I have a feeling that I’ll be over equipped to traverse your mighty trail but I’ll just send stuff home in that case.  Are you totally distracting me in all aspects of my life?  You sure are.  I don’t think I have had an AT-less thought in like 6 months.  You’re in my every waking moments and I just need to be on your mountains.  This anticipation is killing me! 

Also, AT, take it easy on me at first.  Yeah, I spent all of 2009 playing football and baseball for teams around Dallas but I have since let up on my over all training.  I’m fearing that that is a mistake but maybe if I ask you nicely you’ll go easy on me.  No?  Not the plan?  Oh well, I guess I’ll go through it like everyone else.  Also, could you possibly hold off on lots of rain?  I mean, at least at first let me get some miles and experience under my belt before you go showering on me.  I guess I shouldn’t tell you that I am a big wuss when rained on. 

Well alrighty, AT, that’s all for now.  I’ll see you April 1^st. 

Stay beautiful,

One Life

"I command you- be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

Less than a Month

Well, the last two weeks have been crazy and at times overwhelming. Today is the first day in almost two weeks I have not felt sick. Yay, no headaches! I got sick last Monday night and proceeded to miss the entire week of work. I never felt like I was getting better nor did I feel like I was worse. Just feeling real crappy. Anyways, I had to move out of my apartment last weekend so I never got a chance to just rest. I officially moved out of my apartment and onto a friend’s floor. If this journey is not real now then I don’t think it ever will be.


I can’t believe in 29 days I will be setting foot on Springer Mountain. Who knows what the weather will be like too. The east coast has been bombed by snowmageddon this year so I have no idea what to expect. I have been reading some hikers who have already left and it doesn’t seem like an enjoyable walk they are on. Their journals are filled with snow stories and coldness. Ick! Not fun to me. I figure once I clear the Smokies I’ll be “ok” in terms of dangerous weather.

This weekend I was going to plan another hike at the North Shore Trail but I am going to take some more rest time. I can still feel something in my chest that hasn’t gone away so I don’t want to push things. I am going to make one of my last trips to REI to get some of the last of the gear.