[at-l] How the AT changed my life

["KC" <wareagle@ioa.com>]

> Not to be crass, but what about that needed the AT? Wouldn't the top of
the Empire State building do the same thing? Huh? Huh? What was special to
your hike? (And by the way, KC, 800 freakin' miles is more than a "section"
IMHO. Jeez.)
>
> > Any section hikers out there speak up. Do you also feel that it was a
life
> > changing experience?> Saunterer
> It has changed both of our lives for ever! KC
>

Yes,,,it was the AT,,,first off,,,I had been a "housewife" of sorts for the
last 13 years. I went back to college and got a degree,,,but for the most
part I was a "housewife." On the AT I proved to myself once again that "I"
could climb those mountains. I could carry a pack,,,I could walk in total
pain,,I could enjoy another human beings company. The fight with WF showed
me that I could still hike "my" own hike. It had been a very long time that
I had done anything just for myself,,,hiking the AT was just that for me. I
hiked it and I learned why I was so unhappy at "home." I had to be away that
long,,,March 1st till the middle of July. I had to be "out of touch" with
"home." The calls made home while in town where awful,,,I dreaded them. I
was able to talk to others on the trail about this and figured out why I was
so unhappy. Of course,,,my plan was to go home and "fix" the
problem,,,BUT,,,it ended up that I could not fix it,,,and had to leave. The
experience of the AT gave me the courage and I mean courage (I was scared to
death to leave) to leave those comfortable and secure surroundings. So,,,you
see,,,it was the AT that changed my life. (after a long crying spell this
morning,,,I still feel I did the right thing). KC

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