Dreams of mile 7878 – The Trek

Dreams should not be ignored.

Ten years is a long time. Looking back, it seems like a blink. Which reminds me how quickly the present will also pass. Life is short. Life is fleeting. Attempting a hike is a blessing, no matter the outcome.

Too often we get stuck in a rut and settle for «good enough.» But deep down we all know what would ignite our spirit strong enough to power the world. The problem is that those dreams are usually the most terrifying. You have more to lose, more to risk and success is not guaranteed. Too many people live their lives listening to well-intentioned advice, only to find themselves at age 80, full of «what ifs» and «should haves.»

There is dignity in working a traditional job and achieving traditional success. For some, that’s the good life.

But what if there is another way?

For others, dreams should not be ignored. In 2015, I was lucky enough to fulfill my childhood dream of hiking the Appalachian Trail. I walked 2,189.2 miles from Georgia to Maine. I left on March 3rd and arrived at Mount Katahdin on October 12th. Seven months. More than I expected. More difficult than I imagined. And infinitely more rewarding than I ever dreamed.

I got strep throat and had to walk 20 miles just to get to a road junction. Countless wild animals. A bear, face to face. I had two near-death experiences. I wore wet shoes and socks for weeks straight. I drank water so red from the tannins that it barely seemed drinkable, after my Sawyer. I almost broke my ankle outside of Pawling, New York. I hitchhiked with a man drinking moonshine under his seat in Virginia and a 70-something woman in Maine offered me marijuana. I walked through rain, snow, and scorching heat. I survived thanks to the kindness of strangers. I laughed and cried. I loved every moment. It was the most incredible experience of my life up to that point.

Now, ten years later, I am a father. My daughter is eight years old and finally old enough to understand this dream of mine. I plan to take her with me every step of the way. This hike isn’t just about my dreams, it’s about documenting the journey for her. So that when you face your own struggles later in life, you will know firsthand that the impossible is possible.

The day I first set foot on Mount Katahdin, I knew what I really wanted: all three trails. The Triple Crown of Hiking. On May 18, I set out to tackle the Pacific Crest Trail. This time, it’s not just about me, it’s about showing my daughter that courage and faith will take you further than fear. If all goes well again, in 2027 I will attempt the Continental Divide Trail.

We have a life. Some people call me crazy for my first hike, and definitely for this one too. But for me, the crazy thing is never leaving the 20-mile radius we grew up in. We live in a truly beautiful world. You just have to have the courage to look around.

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you feel alive and do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come to life.”

-Howard Thurman

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