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Wally’s intro
How did we get here?
As I sit here watching the Superbowl, I figured this was as good a time as any for introductions. My name is Wally, and I’ll be through hiking the AT with my daughter, Sunny (the middle child of 3). Sunny and I started hiking together while our family hosted a national forest campground during the summer of 2021. Curtis Creek Campground is just outside of Jackson, WY, with breathtaking views of the Tetons. She and I arrived in Jackson prior to the rest of the family, and hit the ground hiking. We spent many days marching around Jenny Lake, up and down the Palisades, and numerous other Teton/Yellowstone hikes. I started to talk with Sunny about my desire to hike the AT and the seed was planted for us to do it together.
Sunny, myself, as well as my wife, Amy, will all be using this blog to detail our trek; Sunny and I will primarily focus on the step by step, as it were, and Amy will share about her own experiences providing support. There will be times that Amy provides that support from our truck camper, on the trail, (watch for trail magic) and other times it will be from our home in Michigan. I’ll let them introduce themselves at their own leisure. I will be forthcoming and tell anyone who is interested, you should not expect more than weekly blogs. We are not trying to become influencers, nor are we trying to find sponsors, we are simply sharing our journey for those who wish to tag along, and pleading for prayers from those that feel moved to do so.
From the USMC to Taxidermy
Bringing it back to being about me, I am 49-year-old taxidermist – yes, I play with dead animals for a living; the hipster way to introduce myself would be as a struggling artist. Taxidermy is a job that I backdoored into after graduating from Grand Valley State University. I received a letter that described the new GI Bill, and that I was eligible for additional benefits even though I had already used the GI Bill to obtain my bachelor’s degree. I went to five taxidermy schools before the benefits were exhausted, and before I knew it, I was taking on clients and doing animal art in my basement. Originally, I had enlisted in 2000 at the tender age of 24 and instantly became the old man! My enlistment was in the Navy, but my career path would be in USMC medicine. The Navy has a medical MOS called a Hospital Corpsman, and all too often, corpsmen are stationed with the “green side” of the Department of The Navy. I ended up serving my entire 5-year enlistment as a Corpsman for First Marine Division; serving with 1/1 and 1st LAR. (yes, I will answer to Doc)
Our hike will begin on Springer in late February and will traverse north to Maine. The idea of hiking the AT has been brewing for years, mostly focused on section hiking the entire trail, in order. Once I started talking to my daughter, and realizing her interest in a long-distance hike, the section idea morphed into a through hike. I never really thought a through hike was a feasible idea; basically abandoning my family for 5+ months. My wife is no stranger to that concept as I did 3 combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan while we were first dating and subsequently married. Those separations, regardless of necessity, were my duty and privilege; voluntarily leaving my loved ones for 5+ months would be neither. Now I’m planning a hike that incorporates my family, including an unprecedented pre-college daddy/daughter adventure. My youngest son will also be joining his mom on the support adventure, and my oldest daughter plans to visit us at least once during our hike.
17 weeks post surgery
Being honest, I am more nervous than excited; I have a very broad understanding of embracing the suck, that’s not what makes me nervous. I had surgery to repair my ankle on November 1, torn ligaments, torn tendon, and a broken bone just for fun, so you can probably understand my apprehension. I’m very okay with starting slow and rebuilding my strength, and Sunny has assured me that she is too; I am praying that she does not get frustrated with me as her young legs are screaming for big miles. As far as gear goes, I have nothing to report; I’m sure a gear list will find its way into this blog at some point, but for now we have a mixture of ultra-light equipment, hunting gear, and leftover supplies from my active-duty days; nothing sexy, just what is needed to get the job done. What I’m looking forward to is meeting like-minded nature types, swimming holes, reading fellow hiker blogs, and walking 2200 miles through new country. I love adventures, and this will be a grand one!
I’ll leave you with some words from the great 20th century philosopher, Marshall Mathers: “So here I go, it’s my shot; feet fail me not, this may be the only opportunity that I got!”
Lose yourself!
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Comments 11
A great intro, Wally! You have the right attitude; so, I am sure you will have a worthy experience and hike. Good luck to you and Sunny!
Thanks, Quiet Man!
Looking forward to reading about your hike with your daughter.
Looking forward to experiencing it!
Looking forward to your family affair adventure. Good luck. Thanks for your service
Thanks
I am sure it will mean more to you that you will have your daughter there with you as well. It is also on my bucket list once i retire. Looking forward to hearing of your adventures and tips along the way.
Thanks, Jason, it will be an amazing spring and summer.
Semper Fi, Best intro. I love y’all already. Don’t give up on a” bad day” peace n Love to all. “Boatman” section hiker from FL.
Thanks, brother! Look for the USMC flag on my pack, and say hi.
Such a wonderful intro blog!! Can’t wait to read about you and your daughter’s adventures 🙂