[at-l] Thoughts of Slackpacking: WAS: Helping a newbie update: Warren's School Report 1

[chaynes@megalink.net (Clifford R. Haynes)]

Often when we have a dream, the meaning of the dream ( what its really all
about) gets blurred. Sometimes we get confused and think the dream is
getting to the goal.
I remember a time when most folks around my age dreamed on climbing onto the
Honda 305 Scrambler, or into the old VW Bus and heading for the west coast.
The dream would come up about day, getting discussed over and over. Being
the odd ball that I am, I would often ask "What yah gona do when yah get
there?" Most of the time that would end the discussion.
I remember once when I asked, some one looked at me and said " Well what
will you do when you get there?" I thought about it and said " Turn around
and ride home I guess." Now I suppose that may have been because I was part
of the 305 Scrambler crowd, but I  don't think so. None of us had any real
interest in actually getting to California, no one dreamed of getting on a
bus or a plane and going to the west coast. For most of us the dream was the
going, not the getting there, the freedom of the road, the wind in your face
(even though that meant bugs in your teeth).
For me a thru hike isn't about getting there, or the distance hiked. It's
the freedom and independence of the trail, sure the pack is a burden, but
without it, and without your home isn't on your back. Without the freedom
and independence to me at least all that's left is a 2100 mile walk. To me
slackpacking would be like experiencing the freedom of the open road in a
jet plane instead of the 305 scrambler.
LOL well there yah have it, my $0.01, poorly expressed.