Who Hikes the Appalachian Trail?

Well, in short… anyone and everyone. There’re many different people out on the trail from all walks of life. From the youngins that just graduated high school or college, those who have become bored of their monotonous ground hog’s day way of life, the retired, and anywhere in between and outside of those categories.

Who am I?

I’m just the average dude who joined the Army at the age of 19, thinking I’d just get the training and get out after my initial enlistment was up.  Fast-forward 20 years later, dad life of two daughters, a change in MOS (Military Occupational Specialty / aka job in military), deployments, finding my dream girl, ton of traveling all over the world, a bunch of other cool stuff, a bunch of not so cool stuff, and then retiring.  Never would have thought I’d end up doing and seeing the things I did throughout my career.

I grew up an Army brat, and was used to the military life, moving often and so on.  Most of my childhood was spent in the southeast corner of the U.S.  I can’t remember exactly when I first found out about the AT, stretching from GA to ME, but know it was early on and fairly close by.  I’m not one of the thru-hiking hopefuls that has always dreamt about hiking the AT, either.

Initially my retirement plan envisioned a camper van, traveling months at a time, with my wife, while playing in the great outdoors.  (We enjoy mountain biking, snowboarding, and hiking.) All while concurrently scouting out areas that we’d like to settle down for good.  However, the camper life will have to be put on hold for some time.  So, then I figured what better opportunity than now, to thru-hike the AT.

I can’t wait to get started late March and sharing my journey here on the Trek.  My plan as of now, once on trail, will be to upload weekly blogs documenting the daily shenanigans.

Later!