Did you do that when you were a kid? Measure the time to an exciting event by how many sleeps were left? I did.  I still do.

On Friday morning I will shower at 5AM.  By 5:20 I will be on the road to Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia. Why, you say?  To leave my car and hitch a lift with Rhonda (AT Shuttler) to the Mason-Dixon Line. Why there you say? Because I’m going to hike the 40 or so miles through the entire section of Maryland’s Applachian Trail.  4 days and 3 nights. My first Solo SOBO (Southbound) Section Hike.

Maryland will be finished.  Then NJ. Then the rest of them. I’m not sure I will finish the entire 2200 miles, but I am going to try.  I think.  I will know after this trip. Already I’m attached to the White Blazes. The 2×6 inch marks that guide you from Georgia to Maine.  Funny how they say “Maine to Georgia”  when describe the trail when almost everyone starts in Georgia!

I have been retired for 10 years.  I have done all sorts of stuff. Traveled through Europe and lived in South Africa.  Kissed the Blarney Stone and surfed at J-Bay. Tremendous life experiences. I live my dream pretty much. It has all been great but this is different somehow. It’s bigger.  It’s my first long term goal ever.

I have set goals, believe me.  I coached high school football and volleyball.  I directed high school theater. I taught in a public high school for 33 1/2 years. I set goals. Goals to win championships.  Goals create beautiful theater productions. Short term goals.

The only long term goal I have for myself, is to stay sober for my time upright on the planet. This is different.  I will probably not finish.  I will try. I don’t care if I finish. I don’t want an award or anything really.  I just want to be a part of the AT Community. I want to be a Section Hiker. I will decide in 2 more sleeps.

So, my memorial service will start with The Rolling Stones’ “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.” You can decide yourself how to interpret the irony. Then I hope someone will say, “He was a good husband.  He was a good dad.  He was a good brother.  He was a good friend and he tried to finish his Section Hike of The Appalachian Trail.”

Then my ashes will be mixed with concrete and fashoned into a piece of an artificial reef. Eternity working to improve the quality of the Sea.

And good grief.  No grief! What a life I have lived!  I could die now and  it has exceded my expectations! How great is that?

How great is that?!

2 more sleeps.