Trillium on the Trail: Day 1

Monday, April 23, 2012

Day 1 - On the Trail

This day went well. Hiked 10 miles to campsite. I'm tired but not exhausted. Walked through hemlock woods and saw lots of trilliums, deciduous azaleas, and foam flowers. Now I'm sitting in tent with a freezing strong wind flapping tent. Going to be a brrrr night. Maybe 15 other hikers camping near me. I feel very safe.

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3 comments:

UnknownApril 23, 2012 at 9:25 PM
Wow, I had no idea. Best of luck despite the long list of challenges you'll face. Any day on the trail beats any day at the CJ. I'll be watching your progress.
Jay
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Bill KightApril 23, 2012 at 11:24 PM
Pam, I'm IMPRESSED! You're doing exactly what I want to do when I retire. My mother took me hiking on the Maryland section of the AT when I was a boy in the mid-60s. If you make it that far, I'd love to join you for a day hike on that part of the trail.
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AnonymousApril 24, 2012 at 12:20 PM
Congratulations Pam and I toast you efforts ahead of time and think its a fabulous "Transition". Since life is a journey for all of us it sounds like you are on an amazing one. I'll look forward to your blog and your journey. Be safe and know you are in all of our thoughts and prayers... You are an inspiration to all of us.
Adrienne
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In 1974, I spent a week backpacking a section of the Appalachian Trail leading to Roan Mountain. I thought it was the hardest backpacking I had ever done. The trail seemed to climb steeply and continuously for miles. All curiosity about the A.T. was eliminated on that trip, and I was sure I would never again hike the A.T. So how has it happened that I am once again on the A.T.? The truth is that I don’t know the answer except it has hung in the back of my mind for all these years as unfinished business.

Now that my professional work life at the Louisville Courier-Journal has ended before I expected (Courier-Journal grants buyouts), I find I need a transition to the next stage of my life. I don’t know how far I will walk. I don’t know how well my body will hold up to the rugged demands of the trail. I don’t know how long I will think I’m having a good time. I am open to all possibilities.

The spontaneous outpourings of affection and support have taken me by surprise. It takes the help of wonderful people to attempt something this monumental and I am grateful.

For those who want to know more about the A.T., I recommend a book called Just Passin’ Thru by Winton Porter. It’s about a store on the A.T. and the unforgettable characters crossing its threshold. It’s a good book in its own right and a good introduction to the trail.

For a book about the trail experience of a 60-year-old woman, I recommend In Beauty May She Walk by Leslie Mass. For a book about the trail experience of a young woman, I recommend Becoming Odyssa: Epic Adventures on the Appalachian Trail by Jennifer Pharr Davis. She is also the record holder for the fastest thru-hike (male or female).

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Monday, April 23, 2012

Day 1 - On the Trail

3 comments:

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