maine: it's not the end that's important, it's the journey that matters.
REM (far Left in brown shirt), Colorado (blond ponytails), Balance, DocBoom (back center with green bandana), Glad-Gal & Clutch, Portrait (yellow jacket), Cheshire Cat, Raw Indy (Orange jacket / blue bandana, Stanley Thermos (seated), Y-Knot (in front of sign), and Akuna Matata (front row left)
Big thanks to my awesome brother Spare Parts for taking this amazing shot! *Photo copyrighted to Daniel Brewer
The overwhelming feeling I have upon being in Maine at long last, is one of profound humility. The trail has taken more than I ever imagine it would take from me. It has also given me more than I could have hoped for. To be able to accomplish this feat in good health, with a supportive family back home, and with great hiking friends at my side, all joined together to make this a truly unforgettable experience.
With only what seems like mere moments left in this journey, I redouble my efforts to suck the marrow out of each day, and to truly live in the moment. Hurricane Irene tried its best to distract me from my goal, but with a big mileage push through the 100 mile wilderness with my speedy ladies, Colorado and Raw Indy, I was able to steer into town and wait out the storm. My summit day will long be remembered as a true blessing, and as the serene and peaceful calm after an epically raging storm. |
It feels strange having finished. I'm so relieved to finally rest for days on end and sleep as much as I want, but I'm also saddened by my success. I keep thinking to myself that had I hiked even slower, I'd still be out in the hills, measuring time by the sun and the clouds, and drinking water out of streams. The journey is what truly mattered, and even with the sore feet (that took almost 3 months to stop aching enough for me to start running again), the sore body, and an emaciated form (I lost 15 lbs over the course of my hike), I miss it deeply. I miss the camaraderie, the spontaneity, and the hilarity. I miss the ultimate freedom of the hills, the raw simplicity of life, and most of all, I miss feeling nature itself.
My deepest thanks to all my friends and family whose concern for my safety and interest in my adventure kept me going day after day. Thank you to all of the untold thousands of individuals whose volunteer work made my little saunter even possible. Thank you to all of the unexpected "angels" of the trail, those individuals who opened up their lunch boxes, their cars, and even their homes to help a smelly hiker from New England.
No matter what the future brings, I know that at least for 5 months, I was privileged enough to call the Appalachian Trail my home.
As it has been said before, "He who is lucky enough to be in the mountains, is lucky enough".
To those that would seek out their own adventure I say this, Carpe Diem.
The Road Not Taken
by Robert Frost
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
My deepest thanks to all my friends and family whose concern for my safety and interest in my adventure kept me going day after day. Thank you to all of the untold thousands of individuals whose volunteer work made my little saunter even possible. Thank you to all of the unexpected "angels" of the trail, those individuals who opened up their lunch boxes, their cars, and even their homes to help a smelly hiker from New England.
No matter what the future brings, I know that at least for 5 months, I was privileged enough to call the Appalachian Trail my home.
As it has been said before, "He who is lucky enough to be in the mountains, is lucky enough".
To those that would seek out their own adventure I say this, Carpe Diem.
The Road Not Taken
by Robert Frost
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.