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Nixon
Begins: Apr 18, 2011
Direction: Northbound
Daily Summary
Date: Tue, Apr 12th, 2011
Journal Stats
Entry Visits: 266
Journal Visits: 268
Guestbook Views: 21
Guestbook Entrys: 3
Getting started...
Hiking the AT has always been an ambition of mine. I considered it, and even had all the gear, for the summer between high school and college. It's a good thing I didn't try then, because as it turns out I wasn't well-equipped and there wasn't nearly enough time. Plans went on indefinite hold. Fast forward a few years, and I'm hard at work this January, when I stumble across this post on a message board, somebody talking about hitting pause on 'real life' to go hike the AT. Wouldn't that be great, I thought. So I did a little more reading about people's AT experiences, really just looking for fun stories. What I read was inspiring - trials, challenges, breakthroughs - it didn't sound easy, but nobody seemed to regret the attempt in the least. And while I read, I started thinking, what would it take to get myself on the trail. My cash situation was pretty good, my lease was coming to an end in April, my car was just about paid off, and I was pretty sure there was nothing at work that someone else couldn't do. This was my chance, I realized. Everything was lined up just right for a shot at the trail. I think I only talked about it with a couple of my closest friends before fully committing to the idea. Before I knew it, I was poring over gear reviews and making my list. I put in for a leave of absence from work, and amazingly it was granted just in the nick of time. Yesterday was my last day of work. I've spent the last week or so packing my things away and getting all my affairs in order. I've got a pack full of gear, and aside from a few details I'm ready to go. Sunday the 17th, I'll be getting on a train to Georgia. By Monday morning, I'll be at Amicalola State Park, on my way to the start of the trail on Springer Mountain. Wish me luck!
Thenixon's 2011 AT Adventure
The Appalachian Trail (A.T.) is more than 2,175-mile long footpath stretching through 14 eastern states from Maine to Georgia. Conceived in 1921 and first completed in 1937, it traverses the wild, scenic, wooded, pastoral, and culturally significant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Learn more: www.appalachiantrail.org
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