Hiking the Dream

Something that I rarely mention - even to people who I'm close to - is that I have a dream.  I'm afraid the people I love will judge me, look at me like I'm crazy, or even try to talk me out of it.

I guess I should break the suspense and just come out with it.  I, Liz, a girl who has hiked once in the past three or four years, dreams of one day hiking the Appalachian Trail.  Yup, that's right.  I want to suspend life for 6 months of trail life.  Life where hiking 20 miles per day, multiple blisters and tons of bug bites is normal.

Photo Source : AppalachianTrail.com

I am slightly obsessed with reading the stories of the people who have started the 2,181 miles  - both those who completed the hike and those that didn't.  It seems to me that everyone who takes that hike learns something about themselves.  Even those who don't go in with that purpose.  

The idea of spending every day out in nature, just me and my thoughts, my feelings, all in rhythm with the earth.... well, that just sounds like pure heaven to me.  And yes, I do realize how corny that sounds.  But there is nothing that makes me happier than the smells and sounds of the woods.

Photo Source : LifeofJustin.com

I don't have any firm plans (heck, not even any un-firm plans) of actually ever doing the hike, but every time I go out for a walk, climb a mountain, or even do a workout, I think "This is what I'm getting in shape for".

I'm thinking, although I may never take the 6 months to hike the AT from beginning to end, that I will try to hike it little bits at a time.  A week at a time, a day at a time, a mountain at a time.  Because, let's face it, everyone's journey is different.  And even if I don't do it all at once, that doesn't make the end result any less impressive.   Okay, maybe slightly less impressive, but still not too shabby.

Do you have any secret dreams?  What plans (or not) do you have to see them realized?