An AT Thru Hike 20+ Years in the Making; It’s Finally His Turn!

This journey of 2,200 miles began, in an imagined sense, almost 20 years ago.  That’s when Ray, “OneFoot” began his career in Corrections.  He had taken many steps along the trail growing up in the Berkshires.  He’s continued to section hike the AT as an adult and has covered Delaware Water Gap to Hanover NH with a few other pieces here and there, as of this writing.  But, the thought of walking from Georgia to Maine, in one season, began when he stepped foot inside the walls of a correctional facility.  Now, with less than 3 months to go in this career 20-year career, he is preparing for his “cleanse”, as he calls it.  Over these past 20 years, we’ve raised two children, built a house, sold that house, did a lot of camping & hiking & backpacking and lived the vows we took back in 1989 – for better or for worse, for richer and for poorer – and we keep working on our dream.  His career was one chosen for the benefits and to support our family but it has not come without sacrifice.  It has changed him in deep ways.

On March 15, 2018, he will begin to walk off the walls.  As Bruce Springsteen wrote, it’s time to get birth naked and bury his old soul and dance on it’s grave.  Exactly.  We’ve talked about the “what ifs” on the trail.  What if he’s get injured?  What if it’s not what he anticipated?  What if he gets homesick?  What if, what if, what if.  But there are no guarantees, in life or on the trail.  These steps taken on the trail are toward closure.  These steps taken on the trail are toward a new beginning.  These steps taken on the trail are a gift; every one of them, no matter how many of them.  OneFoot will send along his trail entries to me and I’ll be adding thoughts from home as he walks his walk.  We’re excited to experience this journey together and to share with those who care to follow.

As his trail name suggests, one foot in front of the other is the only way to reach Katahdin.  This journey will happen…whether it’s 50 miles, 871 miles, or the entire 2200 miles remains to be seen.