T-Minus 8 Days!

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My wife asked me this past weekend if I was getting excited.  I am leaving next week for a March 6th. start.  I told her that in all honesty, I haven't had much time to think about it.  I've been focused on crossing off items on the task list.

I finished training my replacement at Calvary Presbyterian Church.  I originally came there to help them close.  I failed miserably.  My replacement is better suited to helping them generate revenue as a home for the arts in downtown Milwaukee.  Although it wasn't necessarily my job, the congregation is healthy and growing.

At home, I've finished all the tasks my wife had requested.  The downstairs bathroom is remodeled.  Many other items have been fixed or refurnished.  She is most pleased.

I have finished applying for seminary and will be attending Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary this fall.  That gives me a deadline of Labor Day weekend to get this hike done.  That should be plenty of time.  I hike better if I have a deadline.  I need to complete a psychological examination.  Does quitting your job to hike 2197.4 miles indicate that I'm mentally unstable?  I don't think so.  I'm happy to be lost in my thoughts.

I'm able to check the ten day forecast for Amicalola Falls State Park.  There was plenty of wailing and nashing of teeth over the amount of rain there would be March 1st., it should all be clear by my start date of March 6th.  Low 60's during the day and high 30's at night.  Perfect hiking and sleeping weather for me.

My flight is currently on time.  That is always a concern.

So, I spent some time going over my food situation.  I'll be carrying 3.5 days worth of food at the start.  That means I'll need to hike roughly 12 miles a day.  My wife and I did 9.5 in three hours on Saturday.  It included some Wisconsin up-and-down, which is by no means AT quality, but did include a 126 staircase.  I'll write up more about my food in a upcoming article.

So, I'll take it easy for the first couple of weeks until my hiker legs kick in.  No sense hurting myself at the start.

It is amazing the difference you feel for your second thru-hike.  I don't have any anxiety this time around.  I trust my gear.  I know what I'm capable of doing.  Resupply is so much easier. Water is plentiful.  Soon I'll be out there crushing miles and making smiles.