The Journey to the Trail

Well, it’s official. I’ve committed to hiking the Appalachian Trail next summer – June 18th. Is it possible to be excited and terrified at the same time? Yes, yes it is. Although I’ve wanted to do it since I found out about it 30 years ago, I was busy with life. I was (and am) married to a non-hiker who hates the outdoors and I had two boys who agreed with their father. I had to work full time to get us from one month to the next anyway, so taking off on a 6-month hike was never even remotely possible. Now, fast forward to today. I’m a 54-year-old, overweight, asthmatic woman with grouchy knees; yet my kids are grown and my husband is supportive – it’s time. I was casually researching the trail and making “plans” when I saw it: a post in my 365-Mile Challenge group about a woman planning to hike the trail southbound next summer who was looking for a partner. I replied immediately without even thinking. “Me! Pick me!” She did – and we set our date. June 18th, 2019. And so the journey to the trail begins…