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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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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