That must have changed my life…

Today is my birthday. Because birthdays often prompt us to reflect on our progress, the past, the future, and enjoy our favorite things, I’m finally going to sit down and end my blog for The Trek. I have been home for 45 days and started to reconnect with my beautiful “real” life that I put on hold for 164 days this spring and summer. Just as I struggle to answer the questions people ask me about my experience, I will struggle to do my adventure justice with this little closing.

People often say, «That must have changed my life.» I guess in some ways AT changed my life, but in all the most fundamental ways I would say it made my life even better. I have always appreciated the support of friends and family, which increased greatly with this trip as Beancounter kept everything running at home and many people took time to be with me. I’ve always been in awe of pristine outdoor places, so it was inspiring to see so many being preserved by passionate advocates. I always looked for and found the good in people, which manifested itself throughout my walk in the people I met every day. I have always sought to live simply, thinking that it is always better to have less things; Nowhere is this more true than on the Camino. I think of the AT as the place where I was able to be my greatest “self” without pressure to do much more than walk every day. The trick will be figuring out how to be my best self every day in the future. So, I’m reevaluating how I use my time, cutting back on some types of commitments and encouraging others. It’s easy to let inertia make decisions for you; I’m doing my best to be intentional every day.

I think some changes will remain. Blue Bear has decided to return to the mountains of Virginia, just 15 minutes from Swift Run Gap, with the intention of expanding its trail activities during next year’s hiking season. I am very grateful for your support and glad that you want to maintain a connection with AT.

For me, it’s my relationship with food that has changed, probably forever. Before starting AT, I was careful to avoid foods that I knew would cause problems. The constant demand for calories during my hike made me more strategic about the foods I chose. Every calorie had to provide the best possible nutrition so I could keep walking. I’ve applied the same high bar since I got home, albeit with about a quarter the amount. So far, the change is helping me feel great and maintain my fitness after the hike. Plus, I’m excited to get back on the Trail with a maintenance group. The last few weeks to finish the trail at the south end were a great reminder that nature is still trying to reclaim the path that has been laid out for human use. The needs never end.

in superlatives

I thought for a moment about how to conclude this blog. Instead of trying to be in-depth, I decided to share some superlatives about the places I passed on my epic trip. Things like Best Hostel and Best Restaurant are well covered by others; You will find them a little more random and unfounded.

Signals and navigation: the most absurd use of flames

Signs and Navigation: The Most Confusing Use of Paint on a Tree

Signals and navigation: what brings the most joy

Signs and navigation: the most useful thing to know what mountains are out there!

Signals and navigation: the most ironic (I was 100 feet from the ponies)

Flora – Best Mushroom

Flora: the most deliciously surprising

Flora: plant that I would least like to see again

Flora: the best off-season use of a ski slope

Flora: the best fairy tale setting

Flora – Best Mountain Laurel

Trail Highlights – Best Side Mission

Trail Highlight: Scariest Moment

Trail Highlights: The Most Epic Stairs

Trail Highlights: More Unnecessary Use of Rebar

Trail Highlights: Best Detour on the Trail

Trail Highlights – The Most Practical Solution

Trail Highlights: Best Location for a Picnic Table

Trail Highlights: Best Private for the Sassy

Limerick State

Summarizing Virginia is almost as difficult as naming my favorite place on the AT. With a quarter of all miles, Virginia offers a lot to cover. I hope this gives a little insight into what I found in Old Dominion.

• Rhododendron and laurel, oh my!
• Magnificent views where the ridge meets the sky.
• I didn’t have any sadness
• Thank you, awesome trail teams.
• You made the time in Virginia fly!

Remember to look for beauty

If you have only one thing left from my blog series, I hope it is the encouragement to look for all kinds of beauty in everyday life. It’s there, you just have to want to see it.

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