Hiking, walking, boating, biking? Get outa town

Was talking recently with friends about hiking, boating, walking, biking. One left recently for a a hiking vacation in the mountains. Another was dragged off his sailboat to come to work.

A big fan of hiking I'm not.  Now, I like to walk, and there's a big difference. Hikers go from point A to point B. Walkers wander, stop, explore and investigate. Did a bit of the Appalachian Trail a few years ago with friends from Shank's Mare Outfitters, and enjoyed the trip. Food was great, fellow hikers terrific. Then I walked with Earl Shaffer for a couple days. Earl did the AT three times, the last when he was 79 years old. He's a legend, the Babe Ruth of AT through-hikers.  Wrote at least two books about his hiking.

All the while on the AT,  almost gruesome stories, the trials and bumps in the 'road' were constant subjects. Bad water, bad signs, bad trail.  Generally, how tough it was.  At the end of the trip, one of the guides said, "Now, I suppose you'll all want to be through-hikers, eh?"   No, sir, not today. Or tomorrow. I'm not that tough.

The AT is not a smooth trail, but a wooded path. And in that path you might find rocks, roots, creeks or other obstacles that would contribute to 'slippage and trippage'.  That bird you heard isn't as important as watching the trail.

Loved the experience, but I'll take the bike.

From various web sites, these are reasons why people hike, specifically the AT.


People who hike or have hiked the Appalachian Trail share a common bond that transcends age, race, socioeconomic status, political beliefs, religion, hair-dos, and all of the things that divide us off the trail.

 You will begin to feel that you too are a part of the natural flow of all life and all things. From this connectedness with all of nature new joy, delight, and energy will flow into you.

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves." John Muir