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The Book
Making Sense of it All
Eight months later and I’m still processing everything that happened. Writing a book about my experience helped. Mostly, I wrote the book for myself, as a permanent record for my family and friends. But, since a few of you asked, I decided to make it available on Amazon.
Hiking My Own Hike
Hiking My Own Hike: Living the Vanlife on an Appalachian Trail Thru Hike – A Daily Log came out on Amazon last week. The e-book version takes full advantage of the digital format, with hyperlinks to all my videos and pictures, links to my meditations, plants of the day, earworms, and camping locations, as well as other AT informational sites. The e-book sells for a mere $2.99.
For those of you prefer a paper copy you can spill coffee on, store on your shelf, or use as a doorstop, the print version ($25 with Amazon Prime subscription) came out today. Pricey, I know, but worth every penny.
Deja Vu?
If you regularly read my blog, the book will look familiar to you, as I kept the same daily format, though Northstar and I did a fair bit of editing that we didn’t have time for along the trail. Northstar’s editing really improved the readability. I added a lot more photos too.
I also added two post-hike chapters and mid-hike essays that are mostly new material. I also wrote about what we learned about living the vanlife along the AT, some gear reviews, and what I learned.
Here’s a blurb from one of the post-hike chapters:
Would I Thru Hike the AT Again?
If you’d asked me that question in August as I struggled with New York’s miserable heat, humidity, gnats, and trail conditions, I might’ve punched you. In New York, I often thought I wouldn’t want to hike the next day, let alone re-hike the entire trail. Many thru hikers I met in New Hampshire and southern Maine said the same.
When I asked JW that question as we lay on our backs watching the stars come out over Mount Katahdin two nights before we summitted, he replied without a second’s hesitation, “Absolutely. If I didn’t have to work, I’d come back next year.” His answer surprised me. I couldn’t agree, and I couldn’t really understand why he might want to do it again, but it made me rethink my answer.
When Northstar asked me that question as we headed out of Baxter State Park to begin our long drive home, I replied serenely, “This was amazing, but I think once was enough. There are so many other trails and adventures I’d like to try.”
A few months after getting home, when my knees started to stop throbbing and the feeling started to return to my toes, if I’m asked that question, I pause and think for a moment before giving the same answer I gave Northstar as we left Baxter State Park.
But now on quiet mornings as I watch the sun rise, or as I sit at my desk going through trail notes and photos, I can imagine me and Gus standing in front of the stone arch at Amicalola Falls State Park again, walking north with spring, crossing Maine in fall, and revisiting all the quiet places I saw last summer.
I would do it better next time. I’d be more prepared for the rigors, the boredom, the weather, the bugs, and even the purists. I’d try to savor it more, thought that’s easier said than done.
But I probably won’t do another AT thru hike, for the same reason I gave Northstar at Baxter.
Then again, with every day that passes, I forget a little more of the rain, mud, rocks, bugs, heat, humidity, boredom, and pain. The faces of haters I met have blurred and those of my friends are sharpened. And I remember more of the woods, rivers, breezes, flowers, views, bears, birds, deer, bogs, sun, changing seasons, hiking with Gus all day, and laughing with Northstar every night.
I miss the rhythm of daily hiking and the simplicity of vanlife. I miss the sense of purpose and accomplishment that comes with thru hiking. I miss the fact that every day was an epic adventure. My thoughts return to the trail almost every day.
My thru hike it was definitely worth the effort. Even more so, now that it’s over.
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Comments 11
Good morning, my Brother. It’s so good to hear from you again! Downloaded the book and I’m looking forward to reliving (again) your and Northstar’s daily challenges,struggles and wonders while hiking the AT.
The only challenge for me will be trying to limit my intake to 1 daily dose of “The’s” incidents on the 👣.
Hike on, my Brother!
Good to hear from you, brother. Enjoy the read!
Downloaded and looking forward to reading what came from my favorite AT blog to date!
Thanks, Ron!! Enjoy!
I thoroughly enjoyed your updates last year. Following you every step of your journey. I live in Dahlonega, at the Trail Start. I hike it in sections whenever I get the chance, and I hope someday to follow in the footsteps of individuals like yourself. I plan to buy your book and use it as I prepare for my thru-hike. Thanks and please post as you set off on other trails.
Will do! Possibly the Oregon Coast this fall…
Thanks Jon! Download complete!! I was just wondering about you after seeing all the posts about Trail Days. Did you go reminisce and hike in the parade with the other 2023 hikers?
I enjoyed seeing all the fb and insta posts from trail days but we stayed out west this year. Enjoy!
J, I will buy your book and even leave a nice review too. I might even say that you are a nice guy.
I hope you and NS are enjoying life.
Cheers!
PS We are going for Ice Cream soon. They have Mango/chipotle.
Life is good. Nice to hear from you. Are you following a new crop of hikers this year? Any that you’d recommend? All the best!
No Mango ice cream. Had to settle for a chocolate malted. It was wonderful. We thought of you two.
I will tell you the rest in an email when I finish the book.
Cheers!