The big decision

imported
#21

there is noone on this earth that can guarantee that we will wake up tom. morning, or be able to go to bed tomorrow night, so we might as well try to fit in as much as we can while we’re here, so go hike

clong

clong27

#22

Yep, I DEFINITELY agree with all the above comments…AND…do your hike with wisdom too. Read these posts, do the research, save your money, take on extra jobs, so that you have the resources to do your without bankrupting yourself. Many times,a hiker’s plans for the future change cuz of the experience they’ve just finished. And that’s wonderful if it does change. But I think that it’s smart to have some kind of at least tentative plan to come back to. As much as any of us would like any dream to go on; the hike ends sometime; at least for a while til the next adventure! Enjoy it all; it’s all out there for us; but be wise about it too.

toni

#23

I re-read what I wrote & realized that I prob. wouldn’t have been so concerned about “reality hitting” if I weren’t caring right now about several wonderful friends finishing their hikes & not having anything to come back to…they’re really bummed that “the party’s over”. They don’t have $ or a plan for what’s next. When I was in grad school, I made it thru the stress of it all by hiking & camping with others every wkend possible. It was simply a blast! But then; after the wkend or week would end & I’d get bummed…so I learned to have my dreams; &go hiking! But I also learned the absolutely vital notion of having a plan; any plan to fall back on once the week or weekend of camping was over. It made for a much happier life. Probably my sense of concern about both having a dream & keeping a sense of reality present too reflects the fact that Im getting a bit older. It’s much easier to take off when you have fewer obligations. So I’d say, Have fun; have a dream, & have a plan for afterwards…even if you change it later!!

toni’s P.S.

#24

Bedrock Bob has a fun & good point. Coming here for feedback re “should I…” is kind of like asking the neighborhood bar tender if it’s a good thing to go into his bar & buy a drink! Not a bad thing…we all have our areas where we feel the need for confirmation.TrailJournnals is a wonderful site; that most of us love. But it’s not unbiased…nor should it necessarily be! Just remember that it’s your life; your hike & your responsibility. As mentioned above; make wise choices about when & if you do “take the plunge” &…have fun if you do.

Pat

#25

Nope, I’m not English, I’m Canadian.

Probably the whole “English colony” thing - but I was a big fan of The Avengers and all those “britpop” bands.

Nunyet

#26

We may be biased (of course we are) but a lot of us are folks who have done it - we burned our bridges, took the great leap into the unknown and dared to live our dreams. Were there unexpected consequences? Yes, certainly. Was the journey worth it? For me, definitely. My priorities changed and my life and lifestyle changed. I don’t regret either. YMMV

Spirit Walker

#27

you guys (and gals) have posted some great messages! i have been thinking about doing the same thing and those of you that have actually done it makes it “easier” to do. you guys took the “plunge” and i’m 1/2 tempted to do the same. once i’m fully tempted, i will be the same as the original poster…

thanks to everybody for some very interesting view points!

steelhead!

lenny (aka steelhead)

#28

Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.

Goethe

Munch

#29

Fear = lack of knowledge. Read up on it, get the correct gear. Then your set. You will learn what you need to learn on the way. After a long day in the rain or snow, nothing is more comforting than a dry warm sleeping bag and shelter / tent. Worry about tomorrow tomorrow.

“Take it day by day” – Boxtop

Such a true saying! If you can hike for a weekend, you can hike for 6 months.

Captain Hook

#30

trail forums poster bedrock bob has offered his resignation today after he came under fire for copying another post:

http://www.trailforums.com/index2.cfm?action=detail&PostNum=3435&Thread=22&roomID=7&entryID=28868

naw dude just kidding, its true, and its cool we think along the same lines.

milo

#31

It wasn’t plagiarized, similar thoughts can occur to different people.

As to long distance hiking, it’s not for most people. Leaving responsibility behind is like living on a diet of ice cream and cookies – tastes good, but eventually you need more substance.

Bedrock Bob

#32

It wasn’t plagiarized, similar thoughts can occur to different people.

As to long distance hiking, it’s not for most people. Leaving responsibility behind is like living on a diet of ice cream and cookies. Tastes good – but eventually you need more substance.

Bedrock Bob