'Til next we meet WAS [at-l] Goodbye

[Lwop at att.net (LWOP)]

"Oh, how I envy you.  I have 2 years before I get to go on my thru
hike...sigh..."

Before you envy me, I must tell you that I first felt the tug of the AT when
I was about ten years old (during the era of TRex).  My Florida Trail
friends used to chuckle when I would say "eight years till my thru-hike".
Then "Seven" etc. etc. etc.  Trust me, it has been a very long wait.
But waiting for your thru-hike is a lot like hiking it.  Patience and
Perseverance - one foot in front of the other - just keep plugging along.
Learn to enjoy the anticipation and the wait - that is after all a part of
the journey.  Two years from now you will be wondering where all that time
went.  Especially when you are running around at the last minute trying to
figure what to take with you and what boots to wear and what camera and and
and...

Anyway, thanks for the beautiful posting.  May these next two years be as
rewarding for you as the six months that follows.
Always,
Lwop
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Earthlink" <shellydhale@earthlink.net>
To: "LWOP" <Lwop@att.net>; <at-l@backcountry.net>
Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2004 8:42 PM
Subject: Re: 'Til next we meet WAS [at-l] Goodbye


> LWOP,
>
> Oh, how I envy you.  I have 2 years before I get to go on my thru
> hike...sigh...
>
> I hope and pray that it is everything you expect and so much more.  May
the
> sun warm you along your travels and the wind help you along your way with
a
> gentle nudge.  May the trail prove to be the challenge you seek, the
answers
> to your questions, and solace to your soul.  I hope that you find new
> friends that leave bits of magic in their wake, and that you finally get
to
> meet some of your online friends in person along the way.  May your grub
bag
> never be empty and your gear stay ever strong and true.
>
> Good luck, my friend.  But, never Goodbye, only 'til next we meet.
>
> Shelly Hale
>