Over three years have passed since I finished the Appalachian Trail and the desire burns brighter than usual right now. So much has changed in me over the past 3 + years. I do not fit in this world as I did in the past. Things move too fast and people are too self absorbed. The mountains and trails call to me. I can hear them. Yes! That sounds crazy, but it is in my blood now to conquer the beauty and absorb it into my very soul.
This is the reason I often think of being an author. Unfortunately, I can not have a coherent thought to save my soul or at least a linear line of thoughts. If I were to write, someone would have to take my writings and organize them into a cohesive story that makes sense. That is the same way with my speeches or presentations. So many thoughts float through my mind wanting to get out the information, that I lose the straight path and end up walking in circles.
Every conversation I have centers around walking in some fashion or another. My greatest thoughts come from walking (or the toilet). The freedom of the trail is what calls me as well. At the same time, I wish I could take everyone I meet out on to a long distance trail and show them the miracles of life! There is so much beauty that goes unnoticed as we all rush around our daily lives.
My next trail will be the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). I am hoping for 2010 for this adventure; however, my life may not allow it to happen. We will see what the future holds in store for me. If nothing more, then I hope to get some good s-miles on the Colorado Trail (CT). Just to be out in the woods absorbing the energy from the earth as I snuggle into my sleeping bag. Gotta get some winter camping experience too! The world is my oyster and I will conquer it all. Beware when I do as I will be overwhelmingly beautiful due to the absorption of the natural beauty. Either that or wrinkled and leathery from all the sunshine and fresh air! Both are beautiful in their own way.
Until then...
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Friday, November 07, 2008
3 years Later
So, it has been 3 years since the completion of my Appalachian Trail Thru Hike and I still burn with desire to get back out there and hike to far off lands. My next hope is the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). My husband is not a big backpacker, but I hope to get him out doing some sections with me at least. We will see what the future holds. I continue to work for a large outdoor retailer and thus am plunged into helping others "outfit for a life time of adventure."
I also continue to learn and grow from my experiences on the trail. My life continues to slow down and be relaxed due to what I have seen and done through my adventure on the trail. I have not had a car since I smashed up our only car in April and it has been an adventure commuting by public transportation, bike, or foot. Of course, my preferred method of transportation is on foot as there are so many things we miss while moving fast! We do find we eat out less and stay closer to home. This is the first winter my husband and I will be using public transportation to get to and from work. Luckily, we both have the gear to not be too miserable with our commute.
The trail and the outdoors continue to call to me. I often want to just pack up my backpack and walk away from everything. So much has happened in the last 3 years to change who I am and how I interact with people. It has been a challenging and yet rewarding transformation for me. At the same time, my transformation is not fully completed yet. I look forward to all the future holds in its teachings and gifts. Life is truly blessed and I will be back out on the trails again in the near future. Maybe the money from the car being totalled out will help take me on my next journey. Until then, I will continue to watch for opportunities to learn more ways of interacting with the beauty that surrounds me daily, from the people I meet to the things I get the pleasure of seeing.
Thank you all for everything you have read, done, and supported me through over the years. This coming year does hold another big challenge for me as I attempt to learn mountain biking and sign up for the Lead Woman series. It is a series of 5 events from a marathon to a couple mountain bike races, and finishing with a 100mile trail run (the one I attempted in 2007). I feel if I put my mind to it, I can do anything!
I also continue to learn and grow from my experiences on the trail. My life continues to slow down and be relaxed due to what I have seen and done through my adventure on the trail. I have not had a car since I smashed up our only car in April and it has been an adventure commuting by public transportation, bike, or foot. Of course, my preferred method of transportation is on foot as there are so many things we miss while moving fast! We do find we eat out less and stay closer to home. This is the first winter my husband and I will be using public transportation to get to and from work. Luckily, we both have the gear to not be too miserable with our commute.
The trail and the outdoors continue to call to me. I often want to just pack up my backpack and walk away from everything. So much has happened in the last 3 years to change who I am and how I interact with people. It has been a challenging and yet rewarding transformation for me. At the same time, my transformation is not fully completed yet. I look forward to all the future holds in its teachings and gifts. Life is truly blessed and I will be back out on the trails again in the near future. Maybe the money from the car being totalled out will help take me on my next journey. Until then, I will continue to watch for opportunities to learn more ways of interacting with the beauty that surrounds me daily, from the people I meet to the things I get the pleasure of seeing.
Thank you all for everything you have read, done, and supported me through over the years. This coming year does hold another big challenge for me as I attempt to learn mountain biking and sign up for the Lead Woman series. It is a series of 5 events from a marathon to a couple mountain bike races, and finishing with a 100mile trail run (the one I attempted in 2007). I feel if I put my mind to it, I can do anything!
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