Ok...stake is in the ground.
Now I need to get ready. Personal inventory time.
Physical - Needs some work. I have time. But even from a personal level I need to get in and maintain better fitness. As I approach age 45, I recognize the need to shed 30 to 35 pounds. That will make the trip (and life) easier. Fortunately I was in great shape earlier in life so I know how to do it. Now the hard part, doing it.
On the positive side: There are many small and medium hikes within 25 miles of my house. There are larger hiking opportunities within 50-75 miles of my house so it there is plenty of opportunity.
Not sure what exactly happens but it seems as we reach our mid-forties we accumulate aches and pains. Wow. That was an uncomfortable sentence to write!
Mental/Knowledge - Good. I have been camping all my life. As a boy I used to hike and camp in the Grand Canyon. Somehow I gave it up as I developed my career, raised a family. Now I am revisiting it in my forties with my family and enjoying it immensely. My desire to make this happen is strong for several reasons. Obviously, the Appalachian Trail is breath-taking and should provide pictures and memories to last a lifetime or two. Secondly, I want the challenge and the something to strive toward. And lastly, I hope to being along some of my growing boys for a special time together.
Resources/Time - Good. We have been preparing over the last couple years as a family for camping and hiking outings. However, a big purpose of this blog is to learn from the AT community and also teach from my learnings. Because as I already understand, the AT is unlike anything I have ever done and is in a part of the country that I need to learn more about. That should be a lot of the fun. Getting time off from work should not be a huge problem. I have a lot of flexibility in my job.
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