Why Hike the Trail?

It all started back in New Jersey. My Dad loved to camp and he instilled that love in me. I remember loading our gear into the canoes at the lake to camp in the hemlock grove on the other side with our cousins and others. The campfires, marshmallows, ghost stories, and midnight fishing in the canoe with bats flying everywhere are just a few of the things I remember fondly about those trips. And, of course, the magnificent old hemlock trees that have now disappeared due to disease.

That's how I learned to enjoy camping. The Boy Scouts added to that love by combining walking and camping (backpacking).  My dad was the assistant scout master of our troop, and he and the other leaders were all World War II vets who loved the outdoors.  We spent many weekends hiking and camping throughout Northern NJ and Southeastern NY.  Those trips included the Appalachian Trail. I was hooked, even though we used incredibly crude, heavy, and uncomfortable equipment back then, since that was pretty much all there was. I still recall one of first troop backpacking trips in which we carried canvas tents, axes, etc.  The hike was brutal, but worth it, because at the end of the hike we got to camp!

When I was around 14 I read a book written by a man named Steven Garvey, who was one of the rare people (back then) who had hiked the entire Appalachian Trail without stopping. It was a great read and it inspired me to want do do the same. I believe he was in his 50,s when he did it.

Well, fast forward 40+ years and I'm in my 50's. Why not do it? I finally have the time, the means, and I'm still healthy enough. Let's see how it goes.

Thank you Jackie, for supporting my (some would say crazy) dream!