One week and counting!

Having a peaceful preparatory moment

Yep, that's a floor-to-ceiling map of the Appalachian Trail. Just shy of 2,200 miles, the AT traverses 14 states as it snakes its way from Georgia to Maine. And I'm planning to walk every last mile! In short, this journey is going to require a lot more physical, mental, and emotional stamina than the maintenance of a brief headstand in my empty apartment. 

But what about all the "other stuff" I will need? I've spent the last four months accumulating food and gear (after exhaustive research and bargain chasing). Gathering trail beta and perusing grocery store isles for 'good backpacking food' have become regular activities.  I've also become a regular at free WiFi hot-spots, I mean, local coffee shops. Because thousands of people hike all or part of the AT each year, there is a lot of advise to be tapped into in the cyber world (from granola bars to water purification, backpacks to boots, Leave-no-trace to back-country creature comforts, SOMEONE out there has something to say about it)... And after four months, I'm feeling anxious to pack up all of the s#!* that received five-star ratings on REI.com and open up the overflowing folder in my brain labeled "AT know-how". 

One week and counting...