Hiker Intro: AT 2021!

Hello, fellow adventurers, hikers, vagabonds, and others frowned upon by “normal” society! My name is Noël, aka Homestyle Turkey Dinner (named after the best, and most elusive, Mountain House meal), and for this year’s adventure, I’m hiking the AT. Instagram: @seenoeljane

I grew up in Oregon and have always enjoyed outdoor activities, but only recently began long-distance hiking in the US. Prior to COVID, I was on a two-year sabbatical traveling overseas, living my best life…but, as for most, the universe had other plans and I was “repatriated” from Nepal, aka dropped off in Los Angeles with no job, plan, or place to live, so my partner and I decided to make the best of it.

We bought an old RV—her name was Lonnie—and quarantined in Oregon before spending a couple of months in the mountains of Montana. Some ill-advised off-road excursions in our 35-year-old Lonnie required that we leave her at a mechanic for a month. Since Lonnie was our home, we made the best of our “home-free” situation and decided to walk the PCT through Oregon while Lonnie was getting patched up. It’s something I had always wanted to do anyhow, and at that point, seemed like the safest (and yes, most exciting) option.

There’s something magical about simplicity and I was hooked on long-distance hiking. Since it was late in the season and we had to get back to the mechanic, we agreed that we would finish the Oregon section of the PCT, sell Lonnie, and start the AT in April of 2021. So, here we are! I have much more to say on the topic of choosing the AT (I once said I would never hike the AT), but I will write about this, and various other topics in the Blogger’s forum. I’m thrilled to get back on trail and look forward to your comments, suggestions, encouragements, and questions!

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