I just wanted to send a happy holidays out to everyone I have hiked with and everyone I will hike with. My 2002 thru-hike has changed everything about the way I view the world and I find myself to this day walking everywhere and having flashbacks to certain points and people I came across on the trail. After my hike I came to realise we are damn lucky to have done such a thing. I hope to see you all down the trail.
She-ra
Luck didn’t create the trail. It was vision, persistance, and a lot of convincing. True, we’re lucky to be in a great country that has a system that accepts those qualities, even if grudgingly on occasion. Now that you’ve enjoyed it, find a way to give back or create something new for someone else. You might have already, who knows. See you on the trail!
:happy
Tha Wookie
Hey She-Ra. I never met you but believe you were just behind me in 2002. I know it is difficult adjusting back to the real world, but found the best solution is to just do another hike.
Ganj
After my 2000 AT thru, I was depressed just about the whole winter adjusting back to the real world. I think it was just a physiological letdown from all the endorphins brought on by the constant exercise of thru-hiking. But it was also something else. This “other” life pales starkly in comparison to the trail life. But the greatest gift I’ve been granted by my experiences is the vision to see the “trail” reality in the “other” life, whether that means paying closer attention to the natural world in my neighborhood, being more attuned to the weather, or even sensing more acutely the feelings of those around me. I wouldn’t call this a flashback. More like a filter. But one way wife Sisu and I coped is to find more trail-minded people by volunteering to build trail close to home. Our friends with the Ice Age Trail and online at trailjournals connect us closer to the awesome community of hikers that are all around us. The trail never leaves you.
raru
exactly, a filter. that is a very good way of putting it. it’s not like the trail was the only and the best thing i have ever done, but it has definitly acted as a filter though which i am seeing the rest of the world around me right now. and it has been much more effective in doing so than other experiences i have had. so effective that i intend to keep hiking and cultivating that part of my life.
she-ra
Hello She-ra!! Im glad to see you doing well. I also have those flashbacks. Its a great thing to hike as we did. I think of you and Joe often. When I saw your foot,I was thinking how bad it was. But you came out of the gate and still kicked my butt. Your one hell of a hiker. I hope to see you again sometimes and Merry Christmas
Virginian
Hey She-ra, Flashbacks? I though I was still on the trail!! There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think about the hike. Planning to do GA next March with my son. Hope to see you again someday. I talk to Okie every now and then and just spent the weekend in SC with Sunrise, Sunset, Trail Yeti and PigChicken. Great Time!!! Merry Christmas She-ra and you too Virginian. Happy Trails
Papa Smurf
Hey Papa Smurf, Merry Christmas to you and Flame. I hope all is well. Trail Yeti? PigChicken? We really need to talk about the company you are keeping. See ya V
Virginian