[at-l] Pre Hike thoughts

[patv@xxxxxx (Villeneuve, Pat)]

I remember when well-meaning men were concerned for my welfare on the trail.
"What are you bringing for protection?" they'd ask. Eyes big, I'd respond in
a hushed voice, "You mean like condoms?!"

You're as safe as you can be out there.
Give Me Chocolate

-----Original Message-----
From: Neysa Huber [mailto:neysa@brains4business.com]
Sent: Monday, March 31, 2003 10:58 AM
To: AT-L@mailman.backcountry.net
Subject: [at-l] Pre Hike thoughts


Hello All!
I hope this email finds each of you doing well!  It is now about 2 1/2
months before I embark on my Appalachian Trail Journey.  I will be hiking
Southbound and hope to be at Baxter State Park in late June.  I already have
my campsite reserved and travel arrangements with family made.  I am so
unbelievably excited.  I hiked this weekend at Zeleski state forest in Ohio
and that adventure further increased my enthusiasm.  My question to all of
you both planning a trip and leaving shortly, and those of you that have
already hiked the trip is, what were /are your thoughts?  What were some of
your preconceptions that you had that either proved to be true on the trail
or totally false?  What were some things that made you nervous about the
hike?  How did you keep yourself focused at your job?  How did close friends
and family view your trip? In essence, as the days grew shorter to your hike
what were you thinking, feeling and how did those thoughts/feeling change as
the hike started and after the hike?

Currently, I find it very difficult to stay focused at work.  Especially on
beautiful hiking days like today.  Everyone at work knows that I am leaving
for the Trail and are very supportive.  However, there is a large concern
for my welfare, several of the men here at work are worried about me getting
attacked by grizzly's and have advised me to pack some heat
http://www.stsimmons.com/huber/Trail.htm.  I have tried to convince them it
is black bears to be worried about, grizzly's aren't this far east. But, the
guys think they make a rare exception for me.  Most of my family and friends
think I am crazy, but I can tell they admire my desire.  They too are being
very supportive, probably because if it further proves their stories to
others about how I am a little weird ;-) ("See, I told you she is a little
strange, now she is talking about walking a couple of thousand miles, just
to do it. Where is she supposed to watch TV?" Overheard, phone conversation
between my little sister and boyfriend).  Anyway, the days to my adventure
are drawing shorter and the anticipation is growing.  I can't wait!

Thanks for your thoughts!
Blue skies,
Neysa
2003 Dreaming!


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