That's
what we were saying at this time last year. Five more days to wind
things down and make some final preparations before setting forth.
I cannot believe it has already been one year since
we began that journey. The feelings I have now are surreal and
reminiscent. I was speaking with Anna about it the other day (as we do
most days), and the best way I could describe my emotions was to compare
the Trail to a loved one. Being away, either physically or
emotionally, from someone you love. You long to be with that person
again. To hold them. Kiss them. Talk with them. Be with them.
My intent is not to be an emo over here. Life is still
wonderful, and there is so much that I am currently thankful and happy
for. So much!
That being said, I am eternally
grateful for our time on the Appalachian Trail. There is nothing in my
life that has compared to those memories, and since we are coming up on
our one year "setting forth" anniversary, I wanted to give you kind
people a fair warning:
Brace yourselves.
WalkOutside posts are coming.
Probably daily.
My
desire is to share a piece of my personal AT journal for each day we
were on the Trail. Not everything. Maybe just a sentence or two. I
invite you all to read it and follow along as you did with us on the
Trail, but I do not expect anything from you. I will not be hurt if you
don't read or don't comment or don't care. Because this, in a lot of
ways, is for me.
I can feel the tears welling up in my eyes as I type this even now.
I
believe it's important and beneficial to look back on our lives and
see where we've come from and what we've accomplished. To remember and
reinspire.
I'm looking forward to reopening that mud-stained moleskine journal and revisiting Appalachia once again.
 | |||
| Near Woody Gap, GA |
