This guest post is from my friend Peggy Grantham, a long-time Florida Trail Association member and founder of the Panhandle Trace Hike. This is Peggy's last season running the 9-day hike, as she's … [Read more...]
Reflections on a “Not Quite Thru”
Every day I find myself thinking about our time on the AT, slowly realizing that you don't have to do a thru-hike to have the trail change you. With only a quarter of it behind us, I feel … [Read more...]
Re-entry
It's hard to believe that we've been off the trail now for two months. Life has a way to quickly pull you back into the "reality" of "normal." I adjusted back more quickly than Sandy did. After … [Read more...]
Pilgrimage
"Why are you here?" We were finishing up dinner at the 501 Shelter when Coach popped the question. I laughed. That's the question John and I asked hikers all along our journey. More often than … [Read more...]
An August Farewell
Standing in the historic museum in downtown Palmerton, discussing zinc mining with the volunteer whose family had deep roots in the area, I thought I saw a ghost, a reflection in the front … [Read more...]
Downhill Fast
Today, I started to hate hiking. I knew that wasn't a good thing, but I couldn't help myself. It had not been a good night. Chased by thunderstorms across a stone-studded landscape, I finally … [Read more...]
The 501
After our unplanned zero in Lickdale, it took sheer willpower for John to return to the trail today. Roadwalking to Swatara Gap and climbing to the ridgetop, he was a zombie. Sore feet and a tired … [Read more...]
The Haircut
With nearly 500 miles behind us and the daily temperature rising, it's time I got a haircut. We pulled off the trail for resupply and ended up staying an extra night. Across the street, a beauty salon … [Read more...]
Zen vs. Zombie
One of the major delights of our thru-hike has been my ability to slip into the moment and stay there. One foot in front of the other, soaking in our surroundings, noticing the little things: a snail … [Read more...]
On Peters Mountain
The year, 1996. An outing with Keystone Trails Association to celebrate the installation of stone steps leading almost straight down the steep slopes of Peters Mountain to a spring - a rare commodity … [Read more...]
