Letting go.. - Appalachian Trail

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#1

Finally getting back to Alaska I realised… for maybe the first time… how much I liked this little town… and how much my life has changed here the past year and a half. I sat in our 1 store and watched these very independent folks gulp coffee and share stories with each other just like the do every morning. Brad was in his old pickup truck, leaning out the window…talking with a grizzled looking Alaskan, laughing under bleak northern sky .I am gonna miss it here !.. I hadn’t thought much about it truthfully… but there it is. I have done other hikes but have never felt this way about leaving…while I am sinfully excited to hike I am also feeling the poignancy of leaving… anyone else feeling like this ?.. please say yes !..:slight_smile:

yappy

#2

As you can probably guess by my name, I’m a bit of a wandering soul. Having been home for a year and a half now, my feet are more than itching to hit the road again. So, yes while the occasional homesick premonition may creep into my thoughts from time to time, the alure of a new adventure far outweighs any nostalgia.

My advice to you is to fully absorb your town for the next few weeks… live in the details. Your descriptive post sounds like you’re already doing this…which is a good thing; these are the memories which will serve you well on a rainy mountain night.

As far as “independent folks gulping coffee and sharing stories with each other”, you’re sure to find plenty of that on the AT.

:cheers

Nomad

#3

If you’re like most long distance hikers, you’ll get so absorbed that the Trail will become your “home” and you’ll only occasionally get “homesick” for Alaska.

It does sound like somewhere worth getting homesick over, tho.

Skyline

#4

I have noticed before past hikes that just before I left the place I was leaving put its best face on. Partly it’s because I usually leave in spring, so there are flowers, sunshine, birds etc. Partly it is my attitude which is more open to everything when I am in my hiking personae. I am happy so the world seems wonderful.

You will be back home soon enough. And you will have some interesting tales to tell when you return.

Where in Alaska do you live? Hiking the AT is a totally different experience from anything you’re used to. I hope you like it.

Ginny

#5

I live in a town called 2 rivers and yes it IS very different from the AT or just about anywhere else for that matter !! I have hiked the AT and PCT and others before so used to leaving an area… it is more then that,this is quite a lovely place with lots of wilderness to explore and one very special man living in it too …>)… When I look back on the other hikes I was searching … always roaming… most of my life really…I find up here in AK that I am not searching anymore…so this hike is about it… just that… the searching just might… with a wee bit of luck be over…

yappy

#6

Basically,

If you live in Alaska,

You live in the forest,

And are always hiking some trail.

Sincerely–Conan.

Conan

#7

Yappy,

I believe I missed your point the first time around.

You’re basically saying you’re excited to go hiking, but will miss wherever it is you are in Alaska, where you have apparently been for the past year and one-half.

I imagine the feelings you are experiencing are quite common.

You like a place, but the adventure calls you more.

Millions of college students feel this way each Fall.

Millions more feel it in other comparable situations.

One of which is going on a long hike, or other adventure.

You’re not the least bit alone.

You are one of many.

Every year.

Every year.

Every year.

Its part of the human experience.

Remember, we are all more alike than we are different.

Sincerely–Conan.

Conan

#8

How about I go live in Alaska for you, while you’re gone?

Sort of a place holder…

:wink: On my life list.

Jan LiteShoe