Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian Trail – a hiking trail – extends 2181 miles (3510 km) along the Appalachian Mountains, north to south, in the Eastern United States. A few of the “hazards” along this stretch of mountain terrain include severe weather, limited water, steep grades, wild animals, venomous snakes, and snarky insects. Most people who walk the Trail, chose to spend a day or a few days walking a section. However, there are a few tough souls who walk the Trail’s entire length in one season. These folks are known as Thru-hikers.
As a novelist I’m familiar with projects that require long months to reach completion. As the wife of a former teacher and high school principal, I’m familiar with jobs that take intense months of dedication. As the friend of quite a few quilters, I’m familiar with fabric art that requires nearly as much prep time as “doing” time, but WOW, walking the Appalachian Trail in one season?
I have to admit that the first step for most of my long-term projects is to SIT DOWN.
So, allow me to introduce you to a couple of our friends who are thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. They started a couple of weeks ago in Georgia. Sometime next fall they hope to arrive in Maine. After MONTHS of walking. Tomorrow when I have my morning cup of tea, they’ll be walking. The next day when I pat myself on the back for completing 10 minutes on the Nordic Track, they’ll be walking. The next day when I’m sitting down for dinner with my dad-in-law and my husband, they’ll be cooking over a campfire. The day after that when I tell the dog it’s too cold to stay outside, they’ll still be walking – cold weather or not. They call this joint endeavor “active retirement.” Did I mention that these friends of ours are grandparents?
I’m excited about their journey, and from time to time on this website I’ll update you about their progress. Meanwhile if you want to follow them more frequently, check them out at www.trailjournals.com. Their trail names are Greenstone and Thimbleberry.
So hats off to Greenstone and Thimbleberry. May God keep the wind at their backs and the joy in their hearts!
Q4U: What’s the long-term project you’ve most enjoyed in your life?
Hi the Appalachian trail is the place I would rather be anywhere.
Started the trail at age 65 and have done 1175. miles .At age 77 I am still planning on going this year , possibally in conn.
My trail name is sleepyjean!!
That’s definitely a project on its own, Jackie, and a very difficult one! But so worthwhile.
That sounds like a massive beautiful journey with a lot of hurdles and self-discovery along the way.
-after having years and years of misery and heartache, I can now say that me and my children have overcome a lot of hurdles and discovered a lot about ourselves and life in general, for over a decade now we are free of pain and heartaches and are finally happy people.-
That was a project on its own I think. 🙂