Flip-Flop
Transitioning to the AT, and Why I’m Walking
I spent the day crying. That is, I spent the day crying while packing my apartment, crying while hugging my friends and boyfriend goodbye, crying while eating my Caprese sandwich...
Rock Me All Day Long, Pennsylvania
I have hiked little rocks, big rocks, wet rocks, rocks you had to climb on all fours, and knife-edge rocks in Pennsylvania, and now there is another day of rocks...
I Am a BOBO on the Trail Heading North
So I am sitting in the Doyle, eating an awesome cheeseburger, and I look up and see NOBO-BOBO-SOBO. Now I know northbound and southbound, but not BOBO so I ask...
Meet Maria, a Comforting Angel for Weary Hikers
As I emerged from the woods onto Route 44 outside Salisbury, Conn., drivers and pedestrians squinted and gave me and my pack a wide berth. My clothes were well past...
Lessons Learned in My First Week
Wow, it’s been a whirlwind first week. Picking a site for your tent and then positioning it may be the first thing you learn. Keep in mind I have never...
A Different Hike Begins at Flip Flop Festival
It is amazing to be with such a diverse group of people in a bedroom, or as they call it, bunkhouse. There’s a German girl, a British boy, a section...
How IKEA Helped Build My Hike
The idea of thru-hiking the AT started with the book “AWOL on the Appalachian Trail.” After reading the book and deciding to do it, IKEA then led me to my...
Plan Your Dive, Dive Your Plan
At 6:30 a.m., the sound of the storm drags me from under the thin film of sleep I have struggled to wrap myself in all night. In my sleep, I...
Our “Why”
We are now at less than one month until we start our flip-flop thru hike. Reality is starting to set in. We alternate from being incredibly excited to queasy with...
Trail Dispatch: Diamonds on the Soles
Author's note: All credit due to Paul for the title. Skip to the end for the audio. Awah awah aahhhh... This first report on my AT trek follows my first...