Those are some dirty feet. My feet! No shower for 4 days Wrong socks. Bad shoes. Uncomfortable sleeping pad. My first serious backpacking trip

It was day 4 on the Appalachian Trail in Maryland. 40 miles. Just me and the trail and the woods.

They said it would be easy. It was not easy. They said there would be no hills or rocks. Right. They said there would be plenty of water. Not.

It was the hardest physical exercise I had done in decades. It was just plain hard. Of course, I was not young anymore. But…

I loved it. Every minute. Every step. I was hooked. Big time. It’s 4 years later. Still hooked.

Now, I can’t quite hike yet. My new hip is not quite ready. I’m not quite strong enough. Fit enough. Light enough. I’ve lost confidence. I’m not even half way finished the Appalachian Trail, yet.

And now, I’m 70. Seventy. Geez. 70. Time is running out. I’m ready. So ready.

I will be finished by the Fall of 2022.

Hmmm. I wrote the above draft on December 9th. It is now December 21st. I’m still not ready. I hurt my hip a little carrying a heavy pack up the hill out of Wind Gap.

I did too much, too soon. As soon as I was pain free, I overdid it! My lifetime M.O.

I have dialed it back. I’m walking twice a day around Easton. Giving my hip plenty of time. I will start with a light pack on New Year’s Day.

And now it’s January 4th.

I will be ready to go in Mid February. Adding weight gradually from now until then.

Have a Lovely Holiday Season all you hiking friends of mine and thank you for all the support you have shown me.

This goal is my last big goal. Maybe. 😊

All In.