[at-l] The AT and What Encourages Me To Get There

[Bror8588 at aol.com (Bror8588@xxxxxxx)]

Thanks for your words of encouragement.  

I am looking forward to this hike of a lifetime.  It is fun seeing the 
incredulous looks on people's faces when I tell them that I am doing the AT.  
"You're what?"  and "How many miles?"  It is fun.  Yet it is disconcerting that so 
many of my "friends" cannot believe it is possible.  Do they know something 
that I don't about myself?  Nah!  They don't know of the support system on the 
AT; the camaraderie of fellow hikers, the hostels along the way, the maps and 
guides which lend aid and comfort.  

However, I have found that by telling people what my plans are puts some 
"pressure" (positive as it may be) to do it.  A long time ago I told everyone I 
knew that I was going to hitchhike to Jacksonville, Florida over the Christmas 
vacation.  Then the day came to get on the road.  A friend made a sign for me 
to hold indicating my destination.  And off I went.  I was clueless (except 
that I knew to go south).  I ended up in Jacksonville in four days (twenty-two 
rides) after getting dropped off in Trenton and Philadelphia and attempting to 
negotiate a hitch in the middle of those cities.  I remember that I had $50.00 
in my pocket for the trip down, the time there, and the trip back.  Included 
in the expected expenses were a date with an old girl friend who lived in 
Jacksonville, and meals, etc., while there.  I used to live in an unconscious state 
most of the time and I still do from time to time.  So, telling everyone that 
I am hiking the AT and giving them my starting date will provide the spur I 
need to get going. 

The direction of outside forces supports my inner resolve and the more 
skepticism I face makes the thought of completion sweeter.  Of course, I like the 
positive response from those who really matter and that encourages me as well.  

Skylander