Every ending is also a beginning. That is, and always has been, one of my core beliefs about life. And of course it also applies to my time on the AT.
After months of planning and preparation, I started in Amicalola Falls on March 3rd. I recently retired at 68 years old. I wasn’t in very good shape either, I was overweight and not well prepared. But he had a plan. My plan was to start slow and easy, giving my body enough time to adjust to the rigors of carrying a backpack and hiking up and down mountains all day, every day. I planned to take one full zero day per week to allow my older body to recover and get stronger. I also planned to go easy until I passed GSMNP and then increase the time and mileage. That last part never really happened.
Although I managed to stay injury and even blister free, my slow and easy (easier) approach didn’t end up translating into a full hike. I walked for 3 and a half months and traveled 550 miles. My longest days were 12 to 13 miles and neither my body nor my mind wanted to do more. Before long I realized that the math just wouldn’t work for a genuine hike.
Plus, I was in Virginia.
Plus, it was very hot. Plus, it was getting embarrassing and full of bugs. Disgusting!
So I made the difficult, but not that difficult, decision to return home.
BUT I had such a wonderful experience! I went slow enough to really enjoy the trail. And I loved it. I mean, I REALLY loved it. I loved the amazingly beautiful feeling of being one with all of creation. I loved the majesty, mystery, and ancient wisdom of the Appalachian Mountains. I loved the deep, deep silence. I loved the songs of the birds that sang me to sleep and woke me up every day. I loved the 3 black bears, 1 coyote, 2 rattlesnakes, lots of black snakes, lots of deer and fawns, and tons of frogs and lizards that I saw. I loved the countless millions of colorful wildflowers that lined the trail and covered the forest floor. I loved trees. (Oh how I love trees!) And I loved the incredible cast of characters who shared the path with me. 
I’ve been off the road for almost a month. And today… TODAY! …I finally unpacked my backpack. It was difficult. Bittersweet. Touching. So yes. *big sigh*
I am grateful, deeply grateful for my time at the AT. And I continue to encourage and pray for everyone who is still out there. You are great!
I’ve been telling people that hiking the AT is like having a baby…once you have time to forget about all the pain, you’ll probably want to do it again. Plus, every ending is also a beginning!
Peace, love and blessings, good luck.
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