It’s getting real: Newbie with my dog

So the woods are not new to me.  I grew up with my father dropping me off at the trailhead and taking off for hours fishing and walking through the woods.  I’d catch turtles and frogs and explore new paths, get my pole stuck in a tree and be so scared my dad was going to kill me.  However, the Appalachian Trail is new to me and its challenges, I won’t lie and say I’m not scared of snakes.

Magic plants do help but don’t make it all go away. I’ve done my research (Not enough), read (so much), posted and listened to trail trash about all my pack should include (even an ex NYC REI camping manager that thought he knew everything), ultralight as best I can afford.  Training a little but not enough with my dog.

My Osprey 65 Renn for a few days with my pup includes my REI Quarter Dome 2, Magma 30 degrees Long sleeping bag, silk cocoon liner, static lux Klymit Sleeping pad, medical kit, knife, MSR compact Stove for one, several dehydrated meals, 2L water bladder and lifestraw, dog food, rain poncho, bug jacket, change of clothes and other smalls.  I’m scared and excited, I started this because I was told by an ex I couldn’t, so it made me want it more.   So here I come Harper’s Ferry to register, start NOBO and get my tag April 7, 2023.  Stay tuned for my journey and my first overnight on the Trail with Coco.  I’m trying to reset myself to not think about my pain and sadness every second I’m awake in the trees, let’s see if I get the trail magic of peace.  This weekend another practice with some Facebook new people in NJ, hoping to meet great people and write about my adventures daily, stay tuned I’m a fun one, Trail Name: QueenBee.

Feature image by Hunter Walker depicting his dog Jupiter.