Procrastinators Unite…. Tomorrow!

I Believe Introductions Are in Order

Hey guys! My name is Beth, and my husband Jordan and I make up the hiking duo Harper’s Tarry. We are starting our thru hike from Springer Mountain in just a few days. I am so excited to be blogging for the class of 2016! I spent weeks mulling over the idea of submitting to write for Appalachian Trials and at the last minute decided to pull the trigger, so…. bam! Here we are.

I can’t believe that we are driving to Georgia the day after tomorrow. In typical fashion, I have put off pretty much every important thing on my to-do list until the last minute.  I’m sure tomorrow night I will be frantically running around the house making sure everything is in chaos order. For now, I am content to just sit here and watch the sunset while my eyes glaze over and wonder what vitally important thing I have forgotten.

And The Real Reason You’re All Here Folks…. Without Further Ado

THE LISTS!

Let’s be honest. I read Appalachian Trials about 2 years ago. I know Zach was very adamant about dropping everything immediately and writing down the three lists:

• I am thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail because…
• When I successfully thru-hike the Appalachian Trail I will…
• If I give up on the Appalachian Trail I will…

So naturally, I just kept right on reading (what can I say, I’m a rebel). There was plenty of time for me to confront my true feelings and commit to writing why I really wanted to hike the trail. However, I knew this was a matter of utmost importance, so I got to it right away and wrote it down last week. In all seriousness though, I think I was putting it off because once I wrote it down it was real.  Anyway, here it goes.

I am thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail because:

1. I need to satisfy a calling to do something epic and memorable.
2. To know and test the limits of my body and mental fortitude.
3. It is the only opportunity to spend this much time with Jordan probably before we retire.
4. To experience life as it was meant to be: work hard during the day, and go to bed with the sun.
5. To be a part of the trail community
6. To meet people with a similar drive and passion from all over the country and world; develop friendships and relationships.
7. To live simply.
8. To refocus my mind and spirit.
9. To figure out what I want to do next.

When I successfully thru-hike the Appalachian Trail I will:

1. Know that I have the strength mentally, physically, and emotionally to withstand any trial
2. Have gained invaluable life skills and confidence
3. Have innumerable stories: memories of love, friendships, and struggle, as well as anecdotes of my ineptitude
4. Have a new perspective on priorities and needs.
5. Have killer calf muscles.
6. Get an awesome AT tattoo!
7. Get to call myself a Thru Hiker! A privilege few will attain.

If I give up on the Appalachian Trail I will:

1. Prove everyone right who thinks I can’t do it.
2. Have to go back to work sooner than I planned.
3. Won’t be able see Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (my promise to Jordan if I quit, because I am dying to see it!)
4. Feel embarrassed about all the people I told about the hiking the trail.
5. Feel like I won’t ever be able to accomplish something BIG.
6. Probably never be as physically fit as I would like to be.
7. Have given up a HALF A YEAR salary and thus delayed paying off student loans, buying house, and starting a family for nothing.
8. Left friends, family, a comfortable life, and an awesome church group for nothing.
9. Let Jordan down.
10. Let myself down.

Well there you have it. See you up the trail!