Rocks and Roots and Rain, Oh My!

In the last three months we've both resigned from jobs we enjoy, moved out of a house that we love and decided to eat dehydrated food and forgo deodorant for the next six months of our lives. On July 24th we will summit Mt. Katahdin and begin the 2,175 mile walk to Springer Mt. Georgia. This has been both an individual and shared dream for the two of us for many years and the remaining weeks seem like they cannot go fast enough.

This past weekend we hiked the Bigelows near Stratton to "test" out our newest gear (the Steri-pen works fantastically). The taste of the experience (rain, rocks and all) reminds us of why we've chosen to do this. While we are looking forward to the physical challenge (yay, no more marathon training!!!) and wilderness experience it will present, we are also pulled towards this endeavor by the opportunity to live without the daily schedule and routine that our current life includes. We are looking forward to the freedom the trail will provide- walking with the sun...or rain, stopping to soak our feet or to smell the petunias and play cribbage as the cards beckon (at least until Emily gets mad that David has won the last ten games in a row). We recognize that this adventure will not be without its challenges (particularly when David eats more than his fair share of the food ration) and rainy days. These challenges are part of what pull us, knowing that they will continue to build upon the strength of our relationship.

Special thanks go out to Carole & Clayton for watching our dogswhile we're gone. Anyone who knows our sweet dog Sophie knows this can be a daunting task. Also thanks to Liz and Steve who will be managing the majority of our mail drops as well as accompanying us up Katahdin late next month (and trying to desperately feed David enough so he doesn't disappear when he turns sideways...before the hike even begins).