I love snow. I remember walking with my dad down Bristol Road on cold evenings. The snow crunching under our feet. That lovely sound is almost a squeak. I can feel it, too. I’ll never forget those times.

I had rubber boots then. Gore-Tex wasn’t invented yet. We all had rubber snow boots. Not much insulation delivered very cold toes.

When the electricity went out, it happened often back then, we would eat soup, heated up in the Dutch Oven built into the fireplace. Dad built that fireplace. Brick. And it had a brick hearth that we could sit on in the front. I remember my toes never touched the floor when I sat there. the bricks were warm. It was the 1950s.

Such great memories. I loved being a kid. I still love being a kid. I can tap into that age with relative ease even now.

It only happens outside. Mostly hiking or biking, but being on the water works just as well. Paddling out into the ocean is still the most Spiritual place for me. Even just a board under my arm and walking into the surf. That aligns all the planets for me. I can’t wait until it gets warm enough. It will have to be warm. I don’t think I can fit into my wetsuits at the moment. 😂

Oh, and I’m not All-In anymore. I’m maybe Mostly-In. I’m not going to finish the AT. I’m not going to be able to do New Hampshire or Maine. Physically not strong enough anymore and I don’t think I’m able to get fit enough.

The best part is that I’m ok with that. I really didn’t think I would be able to NOT do the Trail. I WILL finish Mass, NC, and VT. That will be enough. Georgia to the NH border. That is a big enough chunk. If I feel like it and am healthy enough, I’ll do a little in those top two states. Just for fun.

Mostly-In. Nearly-In. 4/5-In. Partly-In. Folding. I’ll think of something I like for a new trail name. Maybe take a suggestion from one of you? I don’t want to be All-In or All-Out.

A good name will show itself. Maybe I’ll just be Hammers again. Or Boom. Boom was my first name. That was Linda who called me that. Yes, I’m leaning toward Boom.

Boom. 💥