Intro

I've always enjoyed hiking and outdoor activities. When I was a child, most of our vacations and weekends were spend in the woods, canoeing, camping, hiking, and later skiing. In fact, I remember staying in a hotel just once before I was married. I took a backpacking class in college and loved it! Then marriage and family soon followed, so it was a few years before we got back out there. We did, though. My husband and I took a few overnight trips with borrowed equipment from our college, sometimes with our young daughters. We lived too far from the mountains to do it often, though. Then we started traveling the world with the army. We continued hiking in Alaska and Germany, but  not backpacking. 

Here we are in Dolly Sods last year. We carry one daypack and take turns.

My husband retired from the army and three years ago, we bought a house in the mountains. Since then, we've done day hikes of varying lengths several times a month from March through November. Thru-hiking the AT has always been niggling scratch at the back of my brain since that first backpacking course. It's still there, so this summer we are planning, preparing, and testing our equipment and skills. Next year we will thru-hike the AT! This blog will chronical our plans, and hiking and backpacking adventures along the way. I will also discuss decisions, highlight our trips, and review gear and food.

I've already read several books, picked up a few pieces of gear, and researched other possibilities.  I may go alone, or my husband may join me. Noah is also considering joining the fun. Haven't completely decided yet.

At the end of our first summer in the new house, we adopted two large dogs and started hiking with them within weeks. They love it and are great at listening to commands on the trail. Mickey, the lighter colored boy, sticks right by your side, even off lead. Donald, on the other hand, likes going a little ahead, but never more than 20 feet or so. He stops to wait for us. If there's a bend in the trail and we start to lose sight of him, we call him to wait, and he stands still until we catch up. These boys may come along on the AT for at least a few weeks at a time.

Some big decisions: 

• SOBO or flip flop?
• advantages and logistical challenges for each
• tent or hammock?
• I've ordered one of each to test this summer
• sleeping bag or quilt?
• trail foods?

It's early in our planning. I just started getting serious last week. I hope to start shorter weekend backpacking trips next month. I'm sure we will make many changes to the plan and learn a lot this summer. Our big test will be a 10-14 day hike in July. I'll keep you posted!