A few months ago, I sent an email to friends and family announcing my great adventure . . . to hike the Appalachian Trail. Since then, you’ve offered support, comments (ranging from excited for/with me to asking "you’re going to do WHAT?") and encouragement. Overall, pretty positive feedback. I think I said then that the kindred spirits out there would understand. There are a few that have been less than enthusiastic, but then this is not something for everybody, and that’s ok too.

Well, a few months later and here I am. When I had this grand idea, I thought I would have every single little detail planned. I don’t. I have enough planned to have fun and be safe. And I feel really good about it all . . . maybe I’ve mellowed out since I turned 40! Mellowing along with body rot . . . hummmmmmm . . . wonder how far that’s gonna get me?

I’ve used several books and the internet (what DID we do before the internet?) to research and prepare. I’ve participated in a forum via internet for 2001 thru-hikers to throw all kinds of questions, answers, opinions, etc. around—with people hiking this year and those who have thru-hiked before. I’ve also been chatting with a group of other women who are all thru-hiking this year or hiked in 2000. I’m looking forward to meeting some of these people out on the trail.

I did my first (and probably last) adventure race last summer. I remember standing on the start line with my young twenty-something partner saying, "let’s move a little closer to the front" and me saying, "we’re right where we should be". And I thought to myself at that moment, "What the hell am I doing here?" I learned a lot from that race. I was dead last in the running part. That’s cause I don’t "run". Had one big ass attack towards the end of that part but got over it pretty quick and remembered I was doing this to have fun and finish. And Natalie is still my friend! I enjoyed the mountain biking and we laughed till we nearly fell out of the boat on the kayak portion. I had a blast! I’m sharing this with you because that’s how I imagine I will feel when I stand on Springer Mountain in 5+ weeks. All the planning and excitement . . . am I really ready for this?

Why am I doing this? FOR ME! Because it’s the right time and place in my life for this adventure. Because things like this don’t just happen—you have to commit to make them happen. I’m closing one chapter in my life and writing another one. I’ve known people who always talked about what they were going to do someday, sometime . . . and then they’re dead and never did it. Well, when I’m dead, I’m gonna feel really good about my life. I’m not going to look back and regret the things I never did or never tried to do. May screw up really good, but I will have tried! I’ve scribbled a few of my favorite life philosophies and sayings under "Favorite Quotes" if you care to see them. One of the ladies I’ve been chatting with that’s also starting in April summed it all up really well (better than I could have put it into words in a nutshell), so I’m borrowing her phrase. It’s about reminding myself of who I am, or as she said ... "the wild and free... grounded with wings... with a solid spirit and a hopeful heart ... ". Yep, I was glad she shared that because I couldn’t have expressed it myself that well.

The gang at REI where I’ve worked part-time the last two years has been enthusiastic and really good to me (especially Michael and John who probably wished I’d shut up, but always smiled and encouraged me). They let me pick their brains and shared their own experiences. Of course, everybody has their own personal opinions, and you have to sort through it all and figure out what will work best for you. But it’s made it fun, and I always appreciated their input. Neat people! Besides, I probably should be a walking advertisement for REI (look at my gear list).

Most hikers have "trail" names that they either establish before starting or pick up along the way. One of my brothers suggested that I should use "Pee Wee". My grandfather ("Grandpoppy") gave each grandchild and great-grandchild a nickname, and "Pee Wee" was mine. Grandpoppy was very special to me, though I’m inclined to think he’s probably handling this whole solo hike thing a lot better from Heaven than he would be if he were still here. This was a man who didn’t want me driving home if there were dark clouds in the sky! I just told my Grandmommy (85 years old and married to Grandpoppy 61 years when he died) what I'm doing. She said I better have a good pair of shoes and said she only asked me to do one thing--to pray that God would take care of me, because she knew He would and I would be ok. I only hope that someday I'll grow up to be like my Grandmommy. Remarkable lady. If we only had a tiny bit of the faith, hope and love this incredible woman has, what a better place this would be. I love you dearly, Grandmommy. And I do believe that this will be like my mountain biking and rock climbing . . . we truly do look out for each other out there. Some of these people are like family.

This wouldn’t be complete without Will and Lindsey—the two best kids in the whole world. They are in Connecticut for now. Neat teenagers, they are! Probably cause their lovin’ mama gave them such a good foundation! I love them so much, though they probably won’t understand this love for oh, another 20 years or so. I have told them to listen to their hearts and not let anyone ever take away their spirit—it makes them who they are. I’ve tried to teach them to "LIVE" life. In my heart and my mind, these are the greatest gifts I can give my children. And they’ve probably had more opportunities and exposure to different things than most people do in a lifetime. I’m proud of you, kiddos. I’ll be there for you in a heartbeat—always--unconditionally.

Speaking of Will and Lindsey, their support has consisted of:

Will looking at my map on the door and saying, "Mom, see this line? Yours will be circles like this (drawing a circle in the air with his finger), cause you’ll be lost all the time".

Lindsey with her hand on her hip, "You’re really gonna do this, aren’t you Mom?"

Oh how sweet to have the love and support of your children! They gave me a compass for my birthday. I am hoping that they will get to come hike with me a few days this summer. I wish they could be there with me when I summit Katahdin. Can’t think of anything better.

Some of you have asked me candid questions. I’m sure others of you are wondering but won’t ask (you know you can always ask—you know me—don’t care about being politically correct and pretty much say what I think). But here are a few things about my hike:

• I’m leaving the first week of April (Springer Mountain is north of Atlanta, Georgia (still working on logistics).
• I am NOT bear bait. I will not be eaten by a bear. I will not sleep with my food, because the bears might eat that. (And yes, dear son, I will practice hanging my food bag so it does not get stuck in the tree).
• Yes, I will have to pee/"crap" (as Lindsey says) in the woods (well, there are a few shelters with privies). I will either bury or carry out my t.p.
• I will probably stop in a town at a hostel or motel or camping area with showers, laundry, etc. every week to 10 days. I’m on a low budget!
• If I get lost, I probably will not EVER tell you.
• There are "shelters" along the way (mostly 3-sided; fairly crude) where I may stay or tent near. There are registers in some shelters where hikers can leave notes. Thus, if somebody was crazy enough to abduct me and not throw me back on the trail after about 30 seconds, someone somewhere would know the area I had been in.
• I will statistically be safer out there on the trail than I am here. I will use good ole common sense and won’t hitch-hike alone or camp near roads.
• I will be able to use the phone as I pass through or near towns.
• I may occasionally have access to a computer so I can read your emails.
• I will resupply my food and a few other items via predetermined mail drops.
• I’m probably only "cooking" (basically boiling water) dinner. On really cold mornings I may have something warm. Pretty much going to "graze" all day—it takes a lot of calories to provide the energy I’ll need to maintain.
• No, I’m not carrying a gun or a cell phone.
• I’m not on a tight schedule or in any rush. I have a schedule, but I’m not gonna get bent out of shape if I don’t stick exactly to it. That’s one reason I’m doing this solo—my short legs won’t have to keep up with anybody else’s pace.

• I’m giving myself about 6 months to do this. So I should finish mid to late September.
• I will start with low miles in the beginning and increase mileage as I get in better shape and used to life on the trail.

My mom has done a lot to help me make this all possible. Thanks mom!

Richard, well, I’ve had the pleasure of driving the poor guy crazy the last few months because he can’t quite "figure me out". He let me string my gear out all over his house and didn’t say a word—just walked by every once in awhile and shook his head. He says I’m a "tweeker" (weirdo), but I just smile and say, "yea, but I’m a happy tweeker".

I’m nobody without the loving God who watches over me. The same God I was pretty angry with and felt very far away from for awhile. Now I know He was always right there waiting for me to come back to His open arms. Seems like this hard-headed stubborn short woman learns things the hard way sometimes. That’s been another journey in itself.

God's always had a mysterious way of putting unique and special people in my life at the right time and place. Sometimes I recognize what He's doing . . . other times I don't have a clue. There was one sharp lady that came into my life and taught me "not to expect normal behavior from abnormal people" at a time when I think I had a tattoo on my forehead that read, "abnormal people form a line here". She taught me a profound lesson. One of those people who touched my life only briefly, but has had such a positive impact.

Gosh, I looked at my email list of your names to invite you here, and I realized how lucky I am and what a diverse group of good people you are. People from DORBA (remember: have fun, finish, and don’t be last!), Texas Mountaineers, work, Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts (both the kids and adults who I’ve had the pleasure of leading, following and walking beside). Whoever you are, if you’re reading this, you’ve touched my life in some way or another over the years. Thanks for taking the time to be here now.

When my dear friend, Sheryl, heard about my "plan" she offered support in so many ways. She didn’t have to do all the things she did to help me. But she stopped what she was doing and helped me in several ways. One I will share here is that she went into her attic and dug through stuff to find a special "cup". No, it’s not silver or gold or anything. It’s an old aluminum or stainless steel camping cup (you know, the kind we had when we were kids in our mess kits). But this cup has been with her and her family on some of their special trips, and she gave it to me to carry on mine. Well, I don’t really need to carry a cup and could save a few ounces without it, but I’m carrying yours, Sheryl. Every step of the way. Because it is symbolic to me of the times my own cup has been empty (try dry as a bone!) and you and Laurie, Jane, Hope & Heather, and Linda (the bond we have from sharing our children growing up together is one that won't be broken by time or distance. You and your families have a special place in my heart); Debra, Phil, J.R., Zac, Jerry & Heather, and so many other true friends have given unselfishly to fill my cup so I could keep going. There are no words, only deep feelings, to express what that has meant to me. May we always be there for each other to fill our cups!

My cousin, Lee, has set this website up because he loves me. THANK YOU, LEE! He does this for a living, so be sure to remember him if you have a need for a website (lee@yourwebdepot.com). I will be mailing my handwritten journals home as I can, and they will be transcribed and posted here. Any volunteers to do my transcription and email it to Lee? Let me know! I hope that you will have fun with me as I go along my merry little way on this fantastic journey. Also, any friends or family who want to join me for a few days or a week or however long you can get away, figure it out and come on!

Well, I’ve babbled longer than I intended. Can’t help it. I’m EXCITED! And I didn’t make you to read this to the end!

I can remember telling the kids, and on occasion even some of you, "NO LAUGHING!", when I did/do something stupid or something was funny (but not funny). And, of course, inevitably we’d all bust out laughing. I hope through reading my journals here that you can laugh with me and cheer me on. I’m taking the time to do this hoping that it will be a positive and enjoyable way for you to share this trip with me.

Mostly, I hope in some way you will be encouraged and motivated to do something for yourself to nurture your own soul, whatever that may be. My grandfather, with all his love and wisdom, told me before he died to "take care of each other". I’ve been lucky and blessed to have people like you in my life. Thanks for "taking care" of me and sharing this journey with me. Keep a smile in your heart!