Getting Ready

What are those old people doing on the trail?

Yeah, we ask the same question sometimes.

It’s early February, cold and snowy, and we are in the countdown to our trek.  In short, Max retired in November and Maureen leaves her job in March.  Our start date is April sometime; we will keep an eye on weather conditions.  We have something a lot of hikers would love — time!  Despite the weather in central Massachusetts, we are training, so our joints and bones will be ready.  We are also thinking (and rethinking) our equipment.

Max – the old guy

Hello fellow trail people.  I am the husband of the woman who wrote the above paragraph.  My name is Max but my trail name is Sweat Heart.  The name was bestowed 15 years ago by Maureen, based on the heart-shaped sweat stain that formed on my cotton shirt, the first time we encountered the Appalachian Trail, which was in Shenandoah National Park on the drive home from Bonnarroo.  We stayed at Lewis Mountain campground on the way home to Massachusetts and there it was!  Since then we have planned trips, for the last decade or so, in the 40 to 60 mile range.  Usually three to four overnighters.

Now I retired, I’m old, a little heavy, so I am not hoping to do the whole trail, but maybe a part, bigger than the sections we have done thus far.  I’m thinking 300 miles.  I’ll check back in when I have time to think about this, as far as where, how, and why.

Maureen – the younger woman

This is Maureen – wife of Sweat Heart – he’s crazy.  We are aiming for the whole 2194 miles (and we argue about everything!).  Hope you’ll follow the adventure

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Comments 1

  • Lori morrill : Mar 29th

    I am looking forward to following along on your adventure! You two are an inspiration to those of us that hope to be healthy enough at retirement time to seize the day! Safe travels!

    Reply

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