Out like a herd of turtles!

Week number one on the AT. I enjoyed a couple of days at Amicalola Lodge with my favorite hiking buddy, my husband Anthony, and after an emotional goodbye, I finally left. My first week on the trail was a lot of fun and really challenging, to say the least on both counts.

Amicalola to Neel Gap

I planned to start off very slow and easy, hoping to give my body time to adjust to life on the trails. I walked from Tuesday to Sunday, at an average pace of one mile per hour. ONE mile per hour! I knew it was going to be slow but wow! I needed to constantly remind myself that my main goal in these first few weeks is to simply not get hurt and get my legs back before my legs catch up with me. So far, so good.

All the “firsts”

Every day, every day, there was at least one moment where I wanted to drop my backpack and just drop to the ground and die. And every day, every day, there was at least one moment when I was overwhelmed with a feeling of gratitude and blessing for the wonder and beauty of it all. The mountains rise and fall constantly. And so is my generally very stable emotional state. And my body too.

One moment is so difficult, the next is wonderful. One moment it’s excruciating, the next it’s exhilarating. And so it goes. Everything is constantly changing: the road, the weather, me. As we say about the weather in New England: if you don’t like it, wait a minute and it will change!

Memories

I’m definitely one of the slowest people out there, but at 68 I’m fine with that. Still, I’ve already met some of the nicest people ever, and sometimes even got to see them multiple times over the course of a few days. So yes, it’s true what everyone says about people being so kind, encouraging and helpful. In my case, people often ask, «Hey, are you okay?» Which, I think, is a polite way of saying, «Hey lady, you look like shit, are you okay or should we call 911?»

real memories

The incredibly warm weather made the first week great. Lihat juga rfv10. We were able to experience the full moon, stunning sunrises and sunsets, misty mornings, thunderstorms crashing through the night, winds shaking tents, trails through wild rhododendrons and mountain laurels (which have not yet bloomed), small blue butterflies, and many incredible views of the mountains through the still leafless trees. And so it begins!

– good luck

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