Training Started

No more work or should I say no more work that I will be paid for.  I have started my exercise routine.  Yesterday walked 4.2 miles, then downloaded an app called Map My Walk.  Used it to measure my walk today on a different route and did another 4.2 miles.  Yesterday's walk was along a busy street with no sidewalk.  I decided that was not really safe enough with all the traffic.  Today I followed sidewalks, but I did not intend to walk as far as I did.  I thought it would be a shorter route, but I was wrong.  I have decided to walk Monday - Friday and rest up on the weekends.  Route includes up hills and down.  Average time is 18 minutes/mile.  Looking forward to visiting the REI store in Atlanta to check out equipment like pack, tent, and other gear.

It has been a little while since my last post.  Work officially is winding down only 4 days left.  I should begin working with my replacement today.  Spent last week at the beach with most of my family.  A lot of fun.  Traffic was so bad going down to the beach that Scott and I decided to take a shortcut, using his gps on his phone.  Ended up slipping and sliding once the pavement ended, and basically went mud-riding though not intentional.  Only spun out one time when the car went sideways.  When we finally got to pavement again we past what seemed to be a deserted air force base.  When we got back to the highway we had saved about 30 minutes of stop and go traffic.  Even though I thought we would get stuck in the mud, the shortcut was well worth it.  Craig brought me a pot so, I now have a cooking utensil for the trail.  I will begin purchasing other equipment in August.  I plan to begin training for the AT as soon as my last work day.  I have a 4 to 5 mile hike planned for a daily routine.  I hope to drop about 30 pounds before the journey begins.  I am considering running a half marathon in January with Jason, Craig, and Emily. But for now I will just have to wait to see how the training goes.  More to follow later.

Fantastic weekend visiting Emily, Craig, and Kale.  Kale's first birthday was a good one.  Jason and Shelley joined us for the party.  So impressed with Craig's knowledge of hiking and camping.  I knew he had spent summers working at a Boy Scout camp, and use to work at Dan's in Chicago, but he also had every piece of equipment that I could mention and was able to show me how it worked.  Even found out that he had hiked part of the AT before.  It just goes to show that my daughter picked a winner for a husband.  Before I get into trouble, I should say that all three of my kids found fantastic people to marry.  I am so proud of each one.  I hope they can all hike some part of the AT with me.

Early Father's Day gifts - The A.T. Guide, Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike Planner, and Appalachian Trail Data Book.  Thank you Katy.  These books are essential to planning the thru-hike.  I've already read them twice.  I am going to start gathering the essential equipment I will need to take on the trip. Looking forward to this weekend to consult with my son-in-law about equipment, clothing, food, etc., in addition to celebrating one of my grandson's first birthday party.

     Today I decided to give a little background.  I grew up in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Explorer Scouts.  I remember as a Boy Scout doing cross-country hikes using a map and compass to chart the course.  Sighting an object to walk to, then get new bearings and hoping to wind up where we were suppose to.  Actually I remember one trip where we off by 1 degree and missed our target by 5 miles.  Our family use to go on vacations which always involved camping.  Seeing the country from park to park.  While in college some of my friends and I had weekend camping trips to Wind Creek on Lake Martin, and other places, including Gatlinburg.  In 1976 I was a Scoutmaster of Troop 140 in Talladega.  We had many weekend camping trips and long hikes.  In 1980 I retired from scouting, due to the need for a second job to make ends meet with our growing family.  Due to always working, I got away from weekend camping.  Now that I am retiring I will have time to start camping and hiking again.
     So, why the AT?  I could say "because it's there", but there is a real reason.  In the back of my mind it is something that I have dreamed about.  Kind of like the "bass boat" I always dreamed of having but never got.  I have known people that started the AT but did not make the whole trip and some that have completed it as a thru hike.  Maybe I am looking to prove to myself that I am not really as old as I feel.  Maybe it is a way to walk off a few pounds.  Really, it is more about setting a goal and striving to reach that goal.  I am not getting any younger and I would like to do this while I still can, even though there have been hikers over 80 completing the AT.  Over the last 40 years I have tried to teach my students to set a goal and go for it.  So, it is time for me to do the same.  Goal:  hike the AT.  Projected timeline from start to finish:  6 months. Planing and preparation:  7 months.  Projected start date:  February 2014.

Today I looked up SPOT GPS trackers.  This could be used to communicate position to up to 10 family members.  It will send a text message or an email to let them know that you are ok.  Also, provides real time tracking on google maps.  The device has an emergency 911 feature included.  The only problem is you must have clear sky above for it to work.  Cost about $100. Yearly subscription tracking service another $100.  Battery life could also be a problem if it is always on.  My thinking is I may need this so my wife can keep up with me while hiking the AT.

Looking at backpacks, deciding which one to buy.  I have decided that I need to carry no more than 30 lbs. total, so, that narrows down the search a little bit.