In 2010, I was at Clingmans Dome in Tn. with my family on a vacation in the Smokies. While walking up, we happen to fall in step with a thru hiker as she came off the A.T. She had to correct me as I told the kids that the AT was a trail through the Appalachian that went from about N.c to about Mass, (I know, right,lol,all I knew was that it was LONG), although she was very gracious about it. I took a second look at this pretty, young, fragile-looking girl and I guess you could say I took a second look at myself. My short conversation with this seemingly average, pretty young girl got me to thinking about whats POSSIBLE. If this girl could do something that big, that courageous, that AWESOME, maybe I could, too. My experience with the girl has made my love for the outdoors emerge from the place in my heart where it had been hibernating. Ive had a blast since then hiking, fishing, being the ME I was at 20. (Im 37).
Since then, I have become almost obsessed with the AT. I saw something in this girl that I want. Thru hikers are a special breed, and while I cant presume that I will be one of you rare specimens, I've decided to try! I dont think I could do otherwise at this point!
It will be a while, of course. I am doing some 2-10 day hikes on it this year, though, starting in April.
So, besides the people you guys meet along the way that tells you how inspiring you are, there are people like me. Sometimes you change a life without ever knowing.
I wonder where that girl is now? I wonder if she finished? I wonder if there is any way she could ever know the effect she had on me? I would love to find that girl with the blue backpack, that was at Clingmans dome around June 28, - July 1, 2010 and tell her. If I NEVER walk the whole AT, she and the trail have made my life better anyway.