I am enjoying following the footsteps of local hiker Collin aka Rabid Hiker on her AT thru-hike:The Wanderings of an Avid Hiker - My journey on the Appalachian Trail
Collin tells a great story of her daily adventures, having already traveled through Georgia and into North Carolina. She tells of the trail angels doing trail magic along the way, daily trail life, minor injuries and detours, the sights and sounds and smells on the trail.
Collin owned the local hiking and backpacking store and I met her last summer when she was offering local hikes every Saturday morning. All of us wannabe hikers would gather at the store and she would send us off on the hike of the day, with a wistful look in her eyes and always calling after us, "wish I could go with you, but I have to watch the store…" Collin sold the store in the winter and decided it was as good a time as any to try and fulfill her dream of hiking the entire trail.
Her blog story began with preparation and a list of everything in her pack. She packed, unpacked, and repacked, trying to eliminate every ounce of unnecessary weight. Then with the trip up Springer Mountain on March 16th, the momentous first day of her adventure began.
It is fun to travel along with Collin, living vicariously. But this virtual hiking has its pros and cons - I get to sleep in my bed every night and have running water and a bathroom, but I don't seem to be losing any weight or getting in shape at all... bummer.
Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time. ~Steven Wright
Walking is good for solving problems - it's like the feet are little psychiatrists. ~Terri Guillemets
My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was sixty. She's ninety-three today and we don't know where the hell she is. ~Ellen DeGeneres
