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| Winter woods. |
From time to time, I get this weird feeling in my gut that rises up my spine to my brain. I don't know what it is. I don't know what it means or what causes it, but it fills me with a strange excitement. I know I have felt it before a race or a long hike. Maybe before a vacation or even a sporting event, but I'm not sure what is stirring this feeling this time.
I felt it today as I walked in the woods with Ginger. The weather was sullen, but my spirit was soaring. I have a feeling it is a desire to get back out into the forest for a time.
I'm still methodically and slowly planning my hike to finish my Quest. My daughter's pregnancy is dictating my schedule. I have 600 miles to go. Somewhere around 50 more days of hiking, I estimate. Vermont doesn't recommend using the Trail before Memorial Day, so that is my starting date. Shauni is due July 15th. I hope to complete the Trail around then.
I'm pretty sure I will need some time in the bush before that. LoGear and I have been thinking about getting out for an overnight or two soon, but it is winter and we are waiting for a window of at least a somewhat decent weather forecast before we head out.
Heading out to finish this Quest while my baby is gestating one of her own will be hard, but I figured that I technically don't need to be there and their first fur baby was in the house for a week while I was away before I met her, so this is like that, right?
The feeling is hard to explain. The best I can do is describe it as a excited sense of well-being. It's kind of hard to believe that I would be feeling a sense of well-being with what is going on in this country right now, but it does prove my constant mantra that I have always been responsible for my own happiness and well-being.
I have said hundreds of times that in all of my adult life, no President has ever directly affected my happiness and well-being. I generate that myself. I maintain that frame of mind even though this "president" is using me and the organization I have served as a fucking pawn in a power struggle. I really don't like being a pawn.
I'm ready for any challenge that is put in front of me. Just like climbing a mountain on the Trail. I take it one step at a time and just keep going until it is done.
We are going to be just fine.
Peace,
EarthTone
I've been remiss on this site for a while now. It's time to add a post.
Every year, I make a resolution or two on the new year. Most times, I've forgotten what it was by the first day of spring and move on from there. It's never a real big deal with me. Plans change. Shit happens.
Last year I resolved to get out for at least one overnight each month of the year. I actually didn't do too bad and if you counted my nights as an Outsider, I far surpassed 12 nights, but I wasn't able to spread it out over the whole year. After I returned from the trail with my injured shoulder and had surgery, I went from July thru December without spending even one night in the nature that I love. I haven't slept in my hammock since my last night on the Trail in June.
This year, I resolved to start walking again. I have two reasons for doing this and I really hope I can accomplish the goals I have set for myself.
First, I need to get moving again. I don't run anymore, I have ballooned out to a very high weight that I need to start reducing and walking is my most enjoyable activity.
Second, I want to get my body once again used to walking every day. If I'm going to finish this Quest, I need to walk another 600 miles. Being ready for that is important.
So, for the month of January, I hope to walk at least 5 miles a day, every day. Actually my goal at this time is 30 miles a week, which is less than 5 a day, but I hope to increase that goal each month as time goes by.
I'm 11 days in and doing well still. I have walked every day and am starting to really enjoy it. I don't do it all at one time. In the morning Ginger gets her walk in the woods. I try to keep it around a mile. After I work a couple hours on the Uber, I go out for a walk along the streets of my community. I try to find a new route each day or at least add to or change a route that I have walked before. I have been exploring some of the streets and woods of my past. In the evening, Ginger gets another walk. Usually another mile.
I have also trespassed a few times, but that is the hazard of the activity. As I explore some of the old woods trails nearby, From time to time, I end up in someone's backyard as I try to make my way to a street to continue my walk. So far, no one has called the cops on me or shot at me yet.
I'm liking the feeling of sore walking muscles each day. I have even developed a little hiker hobble if I sit around too long.
So if you live near me and see a guy with a long white beard walking out of the woods into your back yard. Don't shoot me, I'm only passing through.
Peace,
EarthTone
