When people ask where we are from, often they will ask after where do we live now. Marly always answer "I live on the trail now". We know that's not what they are really asking, but the truth is that these woods are our home.
Life is simple out here and it took a month to relax into the trail to really enjoy and appreciate that simplicity. When I go to bed at night I don't have to think about homework or chores or stress at work. I know that tomorrow all I have to do is walk. Yes, maybe there will be a big incline or a rocky cliff, but I will get past it like I do everyday. Maybe to some people the idea of having nothing to do but walk sounds boring and repetitive. To us it is wonderful. I have time to think, really think and remember stuff I haven't thought of in forever. For instance today I'm pretty sure a bug flew into my mouth while I was walking uphill and it reminded me of that children's song we used to sing that went "there was an old lady who swallowed a fly, I don't know why she swallowed a fly". I spent the next hour trying to remember all the animals that went down her throat.
The point is that I love it out here, we love it out here. We have met some pretty incredible people and have made some great friends already. I have heard about all sorts of peoples lives before the trail and it's thrilling learning the reasons why people are out here. One guy just retired from being a minister, one guy quit his corporate job, one guy just got out of the army for the past 9 years, one guy is about to go to med school, one guy has been a trail angel for years and wanted to know what life was like as a thru hiker, one girl took time off from her outdoor therapy job for some time in the woods, and one guy is hiking to Katadhin where he his spreading his wife's ashes. But whatever the reason for being out here we all have one goal one purpose. We are connected to each other by our chosen lifestyle. We decided to be out here in extreme weather conditions, busting our butts up and down mountains all day, and hurting all over. It is not our job to complain about the situation we are in. It is our job to accept the difficulty, work through the pain, and love everything the trail brings.
There is so much to be thankful for in life, but right now I am thankful that I have a opportunity to be out here walking my way to Maine. I am thankful I have enough money to do such a crazy thing. I am thankful for two strong legs and feet. I am thankful for supportive loving family and friends. And I feel blessed to be carrying my Granddad's ashes on this adventure.
So all in all we are doing great out here. Spring is arriving, we have hiked over 350 miles, we have almost completed our first 3 states, we are seeing and hearing all sorts of birds, and we look forward to what the next day brings.
Chelsea, thank you so much for putting your experience into words and sharing it with us through your blog. I loved reading your reflections about the simplicity of the trail, where "all I have to do is walk." Clearly, this is already a transformative life experience for you and Marley. I can't wait to read your next blog! Love and hugs, Libby
ReplyDeleteDitto! I was a little slow getting on the blog but now I'm all caught up. I like the snow hiking and the trail angeling and the bug-eating-- the singing-- it's all just great to read about, Chelsea. Thank you for sharing! --Steve O
ReplyDelete