About a month ago, during one of our discussions about this summer and RV trips in our travel trailer, Bev and I were watching YouTube videos about people taking long hikes, generally referred to as thru hikes. She casually mentioned that it had always been a dream of hers to go on a long hike, how much she feels free in nature, and how maybe she should get into it since she is retiring in eight months and not getting any younger.
I happily agreed! The thing is, Bev was a single parent for a great many years. She raised four children. She worked for over forty years, and all of that time was spent providing for someone else and putting their needs first. It’s about damned time my wife starts thinking about her desires and her needs.
THE BIG SHOE DROP
During these discussions, and during the video-watching, we came across videos of people doing the AT, the PCT, and the CDT, also known as the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trails, three trails which cross the United States south to north, or north to south. Now mind you, these trails are in the 2,500-3,100 mile distance range, so we’re not talking a casual walk in the park, and they are also noted for the horrendous elevation gains and for crossing deserts, mountain ranges, and all other manner of difficult terrain.
“I think I want to do the PCT, and you could follow travel along with the trailer and re-supply me,” my lovely wife declared.
At which point I was faced with a dilemma: be ultra-supportive, or be ultra-practical.
I opted for supportive. Daddy didn’t raise an idiot. And really, how could I be anything but supportive. Long ago I climbed five mountains. Long ago I hiked hundreds of miles of wilderness trails, so I understood the appeal and I knew what was driving her desires.
Just a pinch of practicality
I did mention that perhaps she should start with something shorter before tackling the grandaddy of hiking trails, something like The Wonderland Trail, a 93-mile trek around the base of Mt. Rainier. It would be an excellent training adventure, about six or seven days on the trail, with an elevation gain of 22,000 feet along the way. I had hiked it once, back when I was twenty-eight, so I know it’s a difficult challenge and a good indicator of how Bev would handle a much longer hike.
She of course agreed, so Bev’s goal is to hike The Wonderland Trail this August, which means the past two weeks have been all about walking around the city with a twenty-to-thirty pound backpack strapped to her shoulders.
Which brings us to this past weekend
One of my other suggestions (when will I learn to keep my mouth shut) was to work on distance by walking the Chehalis-Western Trail, a twenty-two mile walk through Olympia, Lacey, and ending in the town of Rainier, and by God that’s what she did this past weekend. My bride, sixty-one years young, went on a casual stroll for eight hours and twenty-two miles, with me and the dogs occasionally joining her for moral support (I’m proud to announce even I managed ten miles with this worn-out body).
She is a wonder, my wife, and I’m beginning to embrace the real possibility that she will nail The Wonderland and then move on to the PCT in March of 2023.
Which brought me to my lifelong dream
It’s weird what triggers long-buried memories, but one of my dreams, since I was a teenager, was to walk across the United States, from sea-to-shining sea. I remember reading about Steinbeck’s travels with his dog (although he cheated and drove a truck), and Muir’s long treks into the mountains, and I marveled at the sheer majesty of such a hike, witnessing the wonder of it all along every day of hiking.
I’m not getting any younger, right? Maybe, after Bev conquers The Wonderland, and perhaps the PCT, I will take six months off (six months off from what?) and cross the country, with either Bev by my side or with Bev trailing me in the travel trailer. The dogs, of course, could join me and cheer me/us on along the way.
Anyway, first things first. Bev needs to enjoy her dream first, and then we’ll discuss my last hoorah.
How much of this will actually happen? I don’t know. I could be struck, literally, by lightning tomorrow. But the seed has been planted, the idea is germinating, and so far neither my wife, nor I, have thought of a single reason why we should abandon the ideas.
The quality of life embraces the wonder of it all, or so I discover as we wonder, or wander, if you prefer, and thank you for joining us.
Shell, there is nothing underachieving about the AT. It is considered one of the Big Three that the “pros” always brag about. If you do the AT, you have accomplished quite a bit. You go, girl! I want to read about you chasing that dream.
Thanks for finding me. I always enjoy your comments.
I love this. I am rooting for Bev and would love to follow your travels cross country. I am feeling like an underachiever just wanting to hike the Appalachian Trail! lol
Thank you Bill! The goal, for me, is to at least try it. There is no shame in not making it all the way, but to not try your dream at all? That seems like a wasted opportunity.
You are probably more sure than I am, John, but thank you for your support. For me, the real goal is to at least try.
I admire Bev’s determination..and yours too. I am sure you will both succeed at whatever you undertake.
Good for Bev. Embrace life and challenge yourself. She is off to a great start with that 22 miles. As far as the cross country trek, do it. I don’t think it’s something you would regret, but not giving it a go might just gnaw away at you. I am very excited for the both of you and look forward to following your adventures.
Thank you, Sally! I’ll be super impressed if we both even attempt to do these things, let alone finish, but it will be fun and interesting to find out, eh?
Super impressed and looking forward to all the updates as your both of your dreams turn into reality.