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[at-l] Re: First AT steps

   Wish I could remember my first AT steps. Though I was born in Stamford,
Ct. (birthplace of Benton MacKaye) close to the trail, I probably didn't set
foot on it until college when I went to the Whites and the Long Trail with
the UMass Outing Club. I remember winter climbs of Lafayette and Madison. We
used the showers at Pinkham Notch when we stayed at cabins in the area. I do
remember the first time I heard of a thru hike. Must of been 1976 when a
college housemate got all excited about hiking the whole AT. Another
housemate was a real wet blanket and told him he was crazy. I remember
getting real pissed and telling the guy that wanted to hike to follow his
dream. Little did I realize that in about ten years I would have the same
dream. Don't know if that guy ever did his hike. Right after college would
have been an ideal time for me to hike the AT, but I guess I had all ready
decided to go to Colombia with the Peace Corps.
    I do remember the first time I set foot on the AT after deciding to hike
the whole AT. We were traveling through Connecticut near Cornwall when I saw
the white blazes. Twice when the trail crossed our path I had to stop and
walk a short way on the *actual* AT. A year or so later I started my section
hike. Now I've done half the AT and recently committed myself to a thru hike
in six years! Every journey starts with a few small steps.
                                     Lucky Star
                                  GA 89 > ME 21st century

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