I am a traditionalist. It comes from my family and cultural background. German and Irish. My 30 years in the Army only deepened my sense and respect for tradition. So, when thinking about which direction to start my eventual thru-hike, it is natural to tend towards a NOBO hike starting at Springer in the spring. My trail name, “Quiet Man,” is the title of one of my favorite movies. A John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara movie set in Ireland, it’s a tradition to watch this movie every St. Patrick’s Day. A nod to my Irish heritage. And even though, it’s the heart of the notorious bubble, starting NOBO on March 17th has always been in the back of my mind. Nevertheless, I have been reading the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s suggestions for alternative hikes. Avoiding the crowds of the bubble actually fits with my thru-hike vision. I will not shy away from the social aspects of the trail – after all, meeting and interacting with other thru-hikers is a tremendous part of the AT tradition. However, my trail name suggests a portion of my vision; to seek a bit of solitude. Of course, I could start earlier, in February, before the bubble and avoid the crowds. But reading the rain-soaked and frigid trail journals of the 2019 February starters has me pondering if I really want to deal with that much weather. Of course, there is no guarantee that a mid-March start won’t be wet and cold, but the chances for better weather are much improved. I’ll have to research more how long it takes for the bubble to thin out; I know a lot leave the trail at Neels Gap and then at Damascus. It will be interesting to see what is the impact of the bubble after those milestones. Here on the Chesapeake Bay, the osprey always return to their nest on my creek on St. Patrick’s Day – plus or minus a day or two. This is the signal that winter is truly over and we can start thinking of putting the boat in the water for the season. While certainly and completely unrelated, the symmetry of starting on 17th March appeals to my sense of tradition. The renewal of spring. The blooming of bulbs. The lengthening of the days. I am sitting here now, watching the sun rise over the Chesapeake Bay; the osprey is soaring over the creek, collecting branches to build its nest and diving for the occasional snack of fish. It’s St. Patrick’s Day; I am listening to Irish music – traditional pub songs and folk music. My thru-hike will happen in an as yet unknown year. But for now, the start day will be 17th March, NOBO from Springer.
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I have been reading a lot of trail journals and frequently the phrase “the trail provides” has been used when a hiker realizes that they need a little push, reassurance, or encouragement to get over a physical or mental obstacle and somehow something happens or someone happens along to provide that little bit of needed inspiration. I am a skeptic by nature and believe more in coincidence than “magic.” On the other hand, karma is in the eye of the believer and sometimes you just have to believe. The trail just may have provided some long distance karma to me this weekend. I have mentioned a couple times on the site that I had a 30-year career in the Army. I retired in 2012 and I am now three years into my second career as a high school teacher. Last Friday, I mentioned to a couple teaching colleagues that I might run another marathon next year to celebrate my 60th birthday. I ran my first marathon when I turned 40 in 2000; so, since I won’t be able to get on the AT next year, I thought running another marathon would be at least a good fitness goal that will also move me along the journey towards the AT. I have run a total of four marathons, several half marathons, and countless 5k and 10k races over the years. I really haven’t run much since retiring and haven’t missed it all that much even though running had been a huge part of my life for 30 years, especially during my “marathon phase.” Running was more than just part of the job of being a soldier; running became my stress relief, my center, my zen. Having said that, it might seem strange that I just stopped after retiring from the Army. But that is a philosophical story for another day. Back to my off-hand comment to my colleagues – three women in their 20-30s – about running a marathon; I added that I also needed to get back to running to release the emotional stress that comes with teaching high school students. The ladies all said that they would like to run a 5k or 10k, but said they could never complete a marathon. I told them that if they put their mind to the task, they could train and complete even a marathon within a year – even though they are not currently runners. They all laughed a doubtful laugh. Later that night, I texted them a link from Women’s Running about beginner training for a marathon. Two texted back that they are “in” – if I coach them. I sent them a beginner’s 5k plan and told them we start today. I still wasn’t sure they were truly serious, but after a few text messages, they had a work-out planned and a potential target race in May. So, I too got out on the road today for the first work-out in the plan. And just like that, I am back to being a runner. I spent time today digging out all my old running clothes and gear. Coincidentally, I still have two pair of brand new Asics Nimbus 12s still in the box collecting dust in the closet. You read that right – 12s – Asics is now up to 21 in the Nimbus model! So far, the story may be more coincidence than karma. My wife has been after me to lose weight and occasionally suggests I get back to running. So, I texted her at work that I just completed a 30-minute run/walk work-out. She texted that she might consider joining the 5k training adventure. My wife has always supported my running and the time it takes to train, but never once expressed an interest in running herself. She has had a knee surgery and is frequently in pain after being on her feet all day at work – she is a nurse practitioner. And now, she suggests running a 5k with me. That isn’t coincidence. I had to give karma a glance and wonder if the trail is already providing for my journey.
While it likely isn’t a scene from anywhere along the AT, I really like the photo in the banner. The photo is the default for the theme I selected for the blog, but it coincidentally is an appropriate photo metaphor for the start of my journey: a dock pointing toward mountains. I live directly on the Chesapeake Bay; sitting on my dock I can see all the way across the Bay to Tilghman Island. While it’s still quite cold and wet here on the Bay – much like on the AT – the signs of spring are all around. The various migratory birds – snow geese, swans, and ducks of various species – have all made their stop on our creek as they head north. It won’t be long before the osprey return to their nests on the Bay. And the fishermen, sailors, and other boaters are starting to think about splashing their boats into the water for this boating season. I made my own first trip of the season to the marine outfitter today to see what might be on sale and somehow scratch the gear-itch. I did buy another dock line for my boat since I lost one last season and it was reduced for an early season sale. And I saw a lightweight Leatherman tool that might make a great tool for a thru-hike! But I suppose my AT fever will subside a bit now as my thoughts turn to the boating season. One of my favorite pastimes on the boat, is to just anchor in a quiet cove – nap, read, and daydream. I am sure my thoughts will occasionally drift toward the AT. Boating is one outdoor passion I share with my wife. Again, quite coincidentally, our boat is named, “Our Dream.” We’ve had the dream of owning a boat and living on the Bay for as long as I can remember. On the other hand, there might be opportunities while we are spending quiet time at anchor on the boat to maybe broach my AT dream with my wife.
I’ve been reading a lot of trail journals and watching a few YouTube videos of thru-hikers from the Class of 2019 over the past week or so. They all started in mid-February and have been hiking in almost constant rain, ice, mud and cold. That is a very difficult way to start a physically demanding and mentally taxing undertaking such as the AT. I have been impressed with the hopeful attitudes of many, but hope isn’t a plan and today I have read that some are starting to leave the trail due to the weather, various aches, pains, and waning spirit. I wonder how many more have left the trail already that are not chronically their journey on the internet for others to follow. I also have noted that several of these intrepid adventurers are my age or older and have similar stories of how the dream to thru-hike was planted in their consciousness. A few have shared their planning, preparation, and training that began a year or two ago. This has been welcome encouragement that my dream can be a reality. At this juncture, however, it is unlikely that I could start my hike before the Class of 2027 unless something drastically changes in my life. That is eight years! I will be 67 years old; that in itself isn’t an issue. Several of the Class of 2019 whose journals I’ve been following are in their sixties. I also have read about thru-hike record breakers 87-year old Pappy and 82-year old Greybeard. For a split second I thought, maybe I can become the oldest to hike the AT! Then I remembered this is a dream not a fantasy. Take one hike at a time. Let’s just get on the trail as soon as realistically possible. So, the Class of 2027 is the current mark on the wall. That seems like plenty of time to convince my wife that this is a good idea! And plenty of time to prepare physically and plan logistically.
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Quiet Man
I don't have a bucket list. At 61 years old, I have already had the adventures of a lifetime, especially after a 30-year Army career, five years of teaching high school, and a 37 year marriage still going strong. But I still have this deep desire to complete the Appalachian Trial. Archives
February 2022
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