Sunday, the day of rest. Except I haven't been. I've been cleaning like a madman, cause I have people coming over for barbecue and games. So I've been sweeping and dusting and cleaning, something I can sometimes fall behind on. Okay more than sometimes. I'm not here at the house all that often, so I tend to let things slide a bit. But I'm making up for it now. I went to the grocery store early this morning and picked up some babyback ribs which are smoking on the pellet grill right now. Should be a good feed and a good day.
Was going to do some stairs this morning but I managed to dump my bike in the driveway last night. I was pulling around into the garage, it was dark, and I managed to hit the one patch of mud in the yard. I wasn't going fast, but I did go over and tweaked my knee and hip. They're both pretty sore today, so I figured I should try to take it easy. And there's a pile of mud on my motorcycle, which is not cool. Going to Laconia, NH for bike week Wednesday so I'll have to get it cleaned up by then.
Happy Sunday all. Hope everyone is having a good day.
Sunday, June 14, 2015
Saturday, June 13, 2015
New endeavors
With last night's announcement, it was a bit hard to sleep. In case you missed it, I was picked up as a blogger for Appalachiantrials.com, which was voted as one of the top 10 outdoor blog sites by USA Today. Pretty exciting news for me. It'll definitely be the biggest audience I've ever had for my writing. While it's thrilling, it's also a bit nerve-wracking to think that my work will be exposed to potentially tens of thousands of people. AAAAHHHH! What this will also do is give me a chance to raise even MORE money for Extra Life. The blog should go live on the website next week sometime. I hope that you'll follow me on the journey as I start this new endeavor.
In the meantime, it's a gorgeous Saturday out there. I'm getting ready to go to work. It'll be busy I'm sure, which will make it go by fast. Who knows what else today will bring. Get out there and enjoy it.
In the meantime, it's a gorgeous Saturday out there. I'm getting ready to go to work. It'll be busy I'm sure, which will make it go by fast. Who knows what else today will bring. Get out there and enjoy it.
Friday, June 12, 2015
Walking away
Just over three weeks have passed. I'm still making daily strides to change for the better. Some days are a struggle, like today. Not feeling particularly motivated. Friday is a long day at work, and it's usually not a fun one. And I work Saturdays too, so even Friday isn't a Friday for me.
I think the hardest thing next summer will be being away from my friends and family for so long. I'm used to seeing my friends so often that it will be like there's a hole in my life for a while, I'm sure. I've tried very hard to make sure I'm there for people that may be struggling. I feel kind of selfish for going away for so long. I know that it's not really, it's just phantom guilt. Everyone needs to live their own life, but the fact is these are people I care about. It's hard to just walk away for a while, even if the reason is good.
I think the hardest thing next summer will be being away from my friends and family for so long. I'm used to seeing my friends so often that it will be like there's a hole in my life for a while, I'm sure. I've tried very hard to make sure I'm there for people that may be struggling. I feel kind of selfish for going away for so long. I know that it's not really, it's just phantom guilt. Everyone needs to live their own life, but the fact is these are people I care about. It's hard to just walk away for a while, even if the reason is good.
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Riding
Wednesday's are my normal day off from work, and I took full advantage yesterday. I rode almost 150 miles on my motorcycle, and I can tell you, I'm paying for it today. My back and shoulders are a little sore. My bike is not the most comfortable thing in the world, but nothing beats the feeling of riding to me. My friends Dave, Gianna, and I rode from South Portland down to Kittery to the Trading Post. Route 1 was already a bit congested, and summer hasn't even officially begun.
Being on my bike and riding reminds me of my dad. I only ever got to ride with him once that I recall. His chronic injuries and pain kept him from being able to ride by the time I had gotten to the point where I was riding regularly. I remember seeing sadness in his eyes, every time I stopped by his house on my bike. I'm sure he missed it. I can't imagine how anyone wouldn't. It's been almost a year since he died and it still feels like yesterday.
Being on my bike and riding reminds me of my dad. I only ever got to ride with him once that I recall. His chronic injuries and pain kept him from being able to ride by the time I had gotten to the point where I was riding regularly. I remember seeing sadness in his eyes, every time I stopped by his house on my bike. I'm sure he missed it. I can't imagine how anyone wouldn't. It's been almost a year since he died and it still feels like yesterday.
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
No specific destination
It's a sunny, gorgeous morning here in Maine. The trees are full of green, now that we've got a little rain, things are really in bloom. There's a bit of wind keeping it cool, which is nice. I'm not a big fan of the heat. I've got the day off today, and I'm looking forward to getting on my motorcycle and cruising around. No specific destination in mind, when I'm on the motorcycle, it's all about the journey.
Next summer, while I will have a destination, it will surely be the journey that matters most. I expect to see a world that has largely been ignored. It's easy to miss things when you cruise by at 50 miles per hour. Have you ever stopped on a road that you've traveled a hundred times and noticed something you've always driven past? I want to find the secret places on the trail, seen only by a handful. I want to share the beauty that is out there waiting for me. I want to write about it, describe it, make it into poetry. Nature has become a stranger to a lot of us. I'd like to step up and introduce myself.
Next summer, while I will have a destination, it will surely be the journey that matters most. I expect to see a world that has largely been ignored. It's easy to miss things when you cruise by at 50 miles per hour. Have you ever stopped on a road that you've traveled a hundred times and noticed something you've always driven past? I want to find the secret places on the trail, seen only by a handful. I want to share the beauty that is out there waiting for me. I want to write about it, describe it, make it into poetry. Nature has become a stranger to a lot of us. I'd like to step up and introduce myself.
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
The full monty
Something has been nagging at me since I made the decision to do the long walk next summer. At the back of my head, it jumps around from time to time, like a housefly buzzing in the window. I tried to ignore it and keep it at bay, but at last I caught it, examined it and acted on it.
Initially, I had planned on doing just the northern half of the Appalachian Trail, from Harper's Ferry to Katahdin. 1,100 miles or so. No easy feat. But there's something about doing half of something. Like there's more to do, like the glass is half empty. Who wants half a beer? I say fill that bastard up, I want it to be full. So after I finish the northern portion of the AT with Jeff, I'll be heading back to Harper's Ferry and completing the southern portion of the trail, from Harper's Ferry to Springer Mountain in Georgia. It will add another few months to my journey, but I have always dreamed of doing the entire AT, not just half of it.
I also feel like doing a complete hike will help me raise more money for Extra Life, lend more to my ability to find sponsors for gear, and be an important experience overall. I'll get to compare the difference between hiking with a companion to hiking alone (unless any of you crazy people want to join me). It will truly be the adventure and experience that my soul cries out for.
PS I've gotten some responses telling me that I should just go the traditional South to North thru hike. There's a reason, I'm going to do it the way I am-I've been researching the crap out of it and the way I plan on doing it is actually recommended as the best way by the ATC. Starting in GA you have to deal with a lot of overcrowding on the trail and the potential for snow is pretty high. By flip-flopping you end up being able to avoid the nastiest climates on both ends as well as having a week or two of time off in the middle. Hiking south in September is supposed to be ideal conditions.
Initially, I had planned on doing just the northern half of the Appalachian Trail, from Harper's Ferry to Katahdin. 1,100 miles or so. No easy feat. But there's something about doing half of something. Like there's more to do, like the glass is half empty. Who wants half a beer? I say fill that bastard up, I want it to be full. So after I finish the northern portion of the AT with Jeff, I'll be heading back to Harper's Ferry and completing the southern portion of the trail, from Harper's Ferry to Springer Mountain in Georgia. It will add another few months to my journey, but I have always dreamed of doing the entire AT, not just half of it.
I also feel like doing a complete hike will help me raise more money for Extra Life, lend more to my ability to find sponsors for gear, and be an important experience overall. I'll get to compare the difference between hiking with a companion to hiking alone (unless any of you crazy people want to join me). It will truly be the adventure and experience that my soul cries out for.
PS I've gotten some responses telling me that I should just go the traditional South to North thru hike. There's a reason, I'm going to do it the way I am-I've been researching the crap out of it and the way I plan on doing it is actually recommended as the best way by the ATC. Starting in GA you have to deal with a lot of overcrowding on the trail and the potential for snow is pretty high. By flip-flopping you end up being able to avoid the nastiest climates on both ends as well as having a week or two of time off in the middle. Hiking south in September is supposed to be ideal conditions.
Monday, June 8, 2015
Not bad for a Monday
Monday morning. Back to work today, what a drag. Work seems to go by so slowly, my mind is always other places. I wonder if I can translate my adventure into something big, catalyze my writing career, go on more adventures. I wonder if I can turn around and hike the other half of the trail. Maybe I'll be so sick of it by the end that I'll never hike again. Who knows?
I'd like to think that it will be something amazing, and I think it will be. I'm testing myself beyond anything I've ever come close to. Each morning that I get up and do something to get ready for next summer is part of that test. I could wait until the day to embark is upon me and just set out. Lots of people do, but a lot of those people fail. I want to be much more able than I am right now. I want to reach Katahdin and want to desire to turn around and do it again. I want to come back different. Better.
Sixty-five flights of stairs this morning. Not bad for a Monday.
I'd like to think that it will be something amazing, and I think it will be. I'm testing myself beyond anything I've ever come close to. Each morning that I get up and do something to get ready for next summer is part of that test. I could wait until the day to embark is upon me and just set out. Lots of people do, but a lot of those people fail. I want to be much more able than I am right now. I want to reach Katahdin and want to desire to turn around and do it again. I want to come back different. Better.
Sixty-five flights of stairs this morning. Not bad for a Monday.
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