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Lana's Suggestion

I haven't posted a blog for some time and wasn't even sure if I should since my blog is entitled "Georgia To Maine", and that part of my life journey is over. But I received an email from my sister, Lana, who informed me I needed to either post a message that said I'm done with this blog and won't be adding to it anymore, or continue posting on the blog to update everyone on what's going on with my life as of now.

So I've decided I will essentially retire this blog and simultaneously create a new blog for me to keep everyone up to date on my whereabouts and happenings. I will link the new blog to this one so it will only be a mouse-click away from all who are interested.

But before I sign-0ff on this blog, I'm going to post some more pictures from the Appalachian Trail.

(new blog...coming soon)

Walking Through the Seasons: Spring

When Megan and I started our hike in early April we were immersed into shades of brown. Brown, leafless trees; dead brown leaves on the ground, and dirt. But as the days and weeks melted away, tiny wildflowers began to push through the dead leaves on the forest floor, flowering trees began to bloom and form leaf buds, and before we knew it, the dead brown forest was alive and colorful.

Walking Through the Seasons: Summer

Summer seemed to last forever. The spring flowers had disappeared, the trees were completely leafed out, and the humidity was nearly unbearable. Many days we walked in 100+ degree heat, and savagely fought off the swarming insects. The only color in the forest was that of tiny trailside mushrooms or huge fungus growths on fallen logs and other decaying matter. We found momentary relief in random water holes where we could take a quick dip before trudging onward. Summer is also the time when all of God's creepy crawlies venture out of their hidden homes. Every single summer day was a true test of stamina and mental fortitude. One word sums up my summer A.T. experience: Misery.

Walking Through the Seasons: Fall

We walked into Maine at the beginning of fall and enjoyed the reds of the maples, golds of the beeches and birches, and the consistent greens of the firs, spruces, and pines. Fall is a perfect time to hike, with the cool, crisp air during the day and cold nights that make for good sleeping.

The Conflicts I Now Face

After walking away from my Appalachian Trail life almost two weeks ago, my thoughts and feelings about the past journey, the present moments, and the future decisions seem to conflict and even contradict each other at times.

Past: The excitement of entering into Maine and knowing we had finally crossed the last state line. The rush to Katahdin, as if it wouldn't be there if we didn't arrive by a certain date. The need to be done with this journey. Done walking. Done eating Lipton's Rice Sides every night. Done choking down instant oatmeal every morning. Done pulling on the same dirty clothes each day of the week. Done reading the signs of the sky in an attempt to forecast the daily weather. Done digging holes to go to the bathroom. Done walking. It was almost an urgent feeling to get to the finish. Maine was beautiful in every way. But I fear we may have missed important parts of it in our blurred vision as we focused only on the prize at the end - Mt. Katahdin. I thought I was ready to be done. Was I?

Present: Feelings of nostalgia mixed with a bit of sadness as I look through the 700 pictures that Megan and I took of our 6 month journey. I can only relive moments now as I look from picture to picture, trying to recall the expressions of our trail friends, the emotions of the day, the highlights of the adventure. Questions - Why did we rush to the end? What will become of our dear friends that we met enroute to our common ground, Katahdin? Have I learned enough to change the parts of my life that need changing? Am I strong enough to resist the opressiveness of the cultural norms and societal influences? Who am I, now? Can I fit back in to this fast paced, selfish world? Do I want to? The questions keep coming. The answers are not aparent. I wonder, will they ever appear?

Future: Apprehension mixed with a slight bit of urgency. Apprehension - because I know not the road I will follow. It is not as clearly marked as the trail I have recently left behind. The doorways and avenues that are before me present conflicting options. Urgency - because a plan for my future is what the people around me expect. The world expects it. Society nearly demands it. Sadness now. My mind is filling with this junk, this clutter that took me months to effectively push back and eventually discard. And I am left searching for answers that I may never find again.

Can these two worlds coexist. The conflict between the simple and the good vs. the complexities and distractions of life in our "convenient" world. It is a puzzle I will be striving to solve. Meanwhile I attempt to make each day count, instead of counting the days.

Bald Mountain Pond, Maine

Bald Mountain Pond at dawn.
Bald Mountain Pond in afternoon.