Quit the talkin’, start the walkin’

I overheard  my 87 year old grandmother on the phone this morning say, “Isabelle is getting ready for her little trip. She is camping in the woods…”  Um what Grandlou? When she got off the phone and shuffled into the kitchen, I told myself not to bother bringing up her VAST and mildly insulting understatement.  Then she asks me, “So, will you be hiking all the way up to Nova Scotia, some of our ancestors were from there…” WHAT…? At this point, I didn’t know if I was going to break out in laughter or tears…When did I ever say I was walking to flippin’ Nova Scotia? I love my grandmother. I am being reminded that patients is something I need to work on and, at the end of the day, it should not affect me what my journey is or means to another person. 

I leave tomorrow morning to head south. My mom and I are stopping in North Carolina to visit my mountain grandma on the way, then Thursday night we are staying at the Hiker Hostel. I am beyond ready to start. Little things are beginning to irritate me and my fuse is becoming increasingly loose. I have spent all morning looking for a pair of underwear and leggings that I am bringing along with me and I can NOT find them for the life of me. So right now, I am sitting on my bedroom floor, pretty peevish, looking at my pack, trying to fight the urge to unpack it for the 4th time today.

I have said most of my goodbyes. On Sunday I said goodbye to Nathan, he kissed my forehead and my tears and said, “Quit the talkin’, start the walkin’ babe…now you can finally stop trying to answer everybody’s questions and figure it all out.” I am ready for this. I am ready to be by myself and not have material and trivial things take up so much of my space!

Now I am going to try my best to enjoy my last day home, as well as my last sleep in my bed. Wow! The build up to these next few days has been a long time coming! 

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Comments 5

  • Bob Rogers : Mar 29th

    You leave grandma alone; she’s smarter than she looks. There is the A.T. and then there is the International A.T. There is even a segment that carries on into Europe. She probably remembers when the Pangean Mountains split apart. 😉 Some going to N. Africa and some staying in N. America. You’re short little hike is doing roughly half of the total distance.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Appalachian_Trail#Extension_to_Europe_and_North_Africa

    https://www.iat-sia.org/index.php

    To the bucket list!!!

    Reply
    • Isabelle : Jun 4th

      Yes, Yes! I shortly found this out after this post 🙂 Thanks for the links.

      Reply
  • Jill - "aviator" : Mar 29th

    Beautiful! You are ready and the AT is ready for you! Enjoy your last night love, the journey has already started!

    Reply
  • Lee : Mar 30th

    I’m guessing that your ” Grandloy”…. May be wearing your missing underwear & leggings…

    Reply
    • Isabelle : Mar 30th

      Haha! At this rate, I wouldn’t put it past her!

      Reply

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