I’ve
just finished researching the best way to hang a bear bag. Seriously. That’s
not anywhere near the beginning of the research, but let me start at the
beginning of the story…
This
is a lot like other beginnings, you know, the ones that slowly crept up on
you—suddenly. Suddenly, you’re aware that you’re interested, involved, drawn
in, obsessed. And to some degree, you have been for a long, long time.
“We’re
going to start hiking the AT,” we’ll say. “Why?” They’ll say. And there is no
one easy answer. I’ve always been a nature geek, from stomping around the lake
we lived on in my bare feet catching crawdads at 12 years old, watching the
wildlife in our then-rural yard, to becoming an avid birder, to camping and
hiking. My first husband and I owned an enormous travel trailer with ducted
air, a TV and a microwave, and I’d sit in the kitchen (yes, I said “kitchen”)
looking out the window at the camper on the next site 10 feet away and yearn
for the backwoods experience: peace, solitude, quiet and nature. My second
husband had not even that to offer, but somehow he was the offspring of a man
in his 60’s at the time who was actively section hiking the AT. I loved hearing
his dad’s stories about his journey. In addition to moving in to the country,
for both Snoopy and I, Cub Scouts became the next pivotal chapter of this story.
As a leader with a scout, we camped a lot—in a tent now, as it should be.
This
weekend, my Cub Scout will become a Boy Scout. Last fall, I began looking at
some of the equipment he would need. I bought him a REAL backpack—an Osprey Ace
48. I’m not sure who was more excited about it, and within days we were talking
about backpacking together. Before I knew it I was shopping for my own pack,
and decent sleeping bags, and a camp stove, and sleeping mats, and hiking
boots, and… everything else REI and other outfitters have to offer.
That’s
how I stumbled across REI’s travel division and the Family Backpacking Trip I
registered us for in May (we can’t wait!). How that turned into the AT adventure
I can’t say, but soon we were watching AT videos and talking trail names and,
despite not having read a whole book in at least a couple years, in the past
month I have finished “Wild” by Cheryl Strayed and “A Walk in the Woods” by
Bill Bryson, and started many others that have the “Buy Now” button on the
Kindle screaming “Click me now!” Indeed, I will.
We
have a tentative date for the start of our first hike: June 14. That’s the day
we’ll start our quest: at Amicalola State Park, the site of the approach trail
to the official southern point of the Appalachian Trail, Springer Mountain in
Georgia. We’ll hike north 39.5 miles to Neels Gap. I’d love to and Cody wants
to hike all of Georgia, but the jury is still out on that.
Even
for all its adventure and possibilities, the great adventure we have built it
up to be, we’re not delusional. We’re going into it with every ounce of
excitement you might expect, and we’re going into it realistically, well
planned and well prepared. (And with some really cool gear, too. List posted
here soon.)
So
I learned, I explored, I became obsessed and I’m committed. Suddenly, I find
myself motivated for the darnedest things: filing piles of long overdue stacks
in my office, making time for an exercise regimen that never happened before, and
finally finding the courage to give up on someone who has done nothing but
bring you down. And for Snoopy, finally finding an interest in something other
than Legos, finally becoming a little bit responsible, finally engaging in
school! For both of us, accepting that we will pee and poop in the woods… And
in the end that will be a small part of this great adventure…
