Trail-ology,   A Thru Hiking  Experience
  • On The Trail
  • Gear
  • Location
  • Who
  • Write Me

Three Months In The Woods

6/18/2015

17 Comments

 
Rain, sunshine, hail, snow, blazing heat, cool breezes, gusting winds and perfect weather. Bum knee, sore shoulder, throbbing feet, numb toes, strained calf and chafed hips. Lazy days, motivated days, days with no water, swimming days, days where you would rather be inside and days of pure awe and extacy. Three months living in the woods makes quite the impression on you. More so than I ever thought possible. Never in my life would I have ever pictured myself dancing around a bonfire or rocking a mowhawk. I came out here with reservations about myself and preconceived notions about what life should be. Three months on the Appalachian Trail has given me a breath of new life. People picture this as just an extended walk in the woods, but it has become so much more than that. Yes, some of the views will make you stop and reevaluate your place in the world, but it is the people who have truly created the experience. I have met people who have changed my life forever, and created everlasting bonds with complete strangers in a matter of minutes. I've cried for the first time in almost three years because Frosty had to get off trail. I've learned how to completely open myself up to people out here, and it doesn't matter if we are two completely different people from completely different backgrounds. None of that matters out here. We all share a common bond.

I definitely feel like a changed man out here. Out here where social norms are non existent. You can be the most pure version of yourself without having to worry about what anybody else thinks. Everyone out here is a little quirky and crazy. You kind of have to be if you have commited yourself to being totally exposed to the world and its elements for 6 months. I think it's that mixture of everyone's unique personality and being in the "wild" that really brings out the true person inside.

After three months and 1000 miles in the woods I have learned so much about myself and what I am capable of. Being completely invested in the present moment is just as natural as breathing. No more worrying about some future scenario that I may concoct in my head that never turns out the way I may think. No more analyzing past events and guessing on what I could have done or said differently. The present moment is truly the only moment that matters. The wind blowing through the trees, a conversation with an incredible person, a small flower on the side of the trail; these events are always unique to themselves and need to be appreciated. Why be distracted by something else when you have life right in front of your face?

I guess what I am trying to say is, when your heart feels like it's about to jump out of your chest and you are staring up the face of 4000 foot mountain with the hot sun beating down on your face. You can either choose to be miserable or enjoy the hell out of it. So why not pop in your favorite song, put a smile on, and dance up that fucking mountain?
Picture
Rain, sunshine, hail, snow, blazing heat, cool breezes, gusting winds and perfect weather. Bum knee, sore shoulder, throbbing feet, numb toes, strained calf and chafed hips. Lazy days, motivated days, days with no water, swimming days, days where you would rather be inside and days of pure awe and extacy. Three months living in the woods makes quite the impression on you. More so than I ever thought possible. Never in my life would I have ever pictured myself dancing around a bonfire or rocking a mowhawk. I came out here with reservations about myself and preconceived notions about what life should be. Three months on the Appalachian Trail has given me a breath of new life. People picture this as just an extended walk in the woods, but it has become so much more than that. Yes, some of the views will make you stop and reevaluate your place in the world, but it is the people who have truly created the experience. I have met people who have changed my life forever, and created everlasting bonds with complete strangers in a matter of minutes. I've cried for the first time in almost three years because Frosty had to get off trail. I've learned how to completely open myself up to people out here, and it doesn't matter if we are two completely different people from completely different backgrounds. None of that matters out here. We all share a common bond.

I definitely feel like a changed man out here. Out here where social norms are non existent. You can be the most pure version of yourself without having to worry about what anybody else thinks. Everyone out here is a little quirky and crazy. You kind of have to be if you have commited yourself to being totally exposed to the world and its elements for 6 months. I think it's that mixture of everyone's unique personality and being in the "wild" that really brings out the true person inside.

After three months and 1000 miles in the woods I have learned so much about myself and what I am capable of. Being completely invested in the present moment is just as natural as breathing. No more worrying about some future scenario that I may concoct in my head that never turns out the way I may think. No more analyzing past events and guessing on what I could have done or said differently. The present moment is truly the only moment that matters. The wind blowing through the trees, a conversation with an incredible person, a small flower on the side of the trail; these events are always unique to themselves and need to be appreciated. Why be distracted by something else when you have life right in front of your face?

I guess what I am trying to say is, when your heart feels like it's about to jump out of your chest and you are staring up the face of 4000 foot mountain with the hot sun beating down on your face. You can either choose to be miserable or enjoy the hell out of it. So why not pop in your favorite song, put a smile on, and dance up that fucking mountain?
17 Comments
Colleen
6/18/2015 12:01:05 am

Great post. I miss you like crazy and I'm so happy you're having such an amazing experience! Hurry up and walk your booty to NY already!

Reply
Dad
6/18/2015 12:13:52 am

We're all with you in spirit each and every step in your incredible journey! Carpe Diem!

Reply
Debbie Crawford
6/18/2015 12:15:51 am

What a wonderful post , Jordan! It is so heartwarming to know that this has been a positive experience. I pray for your physical, mental and spiritual fortitude daily.

Reply
Debbie Crawford
6/18/2015 12:21:33 am

Keep us abreast of your thoughts and musings so we "know" our son when he comes home!

Reply
Ben
6/18/2015 01:12:11 am

Good post!

Reply
Shelly Crochet
6/18/2015 05:24:22 am

What a great post!! Actually, I LOVE it! Life is a journey, and your attitude and outlook sets the tone! Keep up the positive vibe!

Micah and I were consulting the MAP in the office of your location. Take Care!

Reply
Stay Frosty...
6/18/2015 05:44:51 am

Reply
Mary Dripps-Johnsom
6/18/2015 08:09:44 am

Love your posts, Jordan. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Grandma

Reply
Eric Neas
6/18/2015 11:19:33 am

Great post man! Sounds like your journey has been awesome thus far. Looking forward to reading about the coming weeks ahead. Take care.

Reply
Debbie
6/18/2015 10:17:56 pm

Love this, thanks for reminding me to live in the present. Your in my thoughts, be safe, take care and continue to grow, enjoy your journey.

Reply
Lisa Patterson
6/19/2015 12:45:52 am

I am a friend of Debbie Polcari's and really enjoy your blogs. You are such an incredible person to take on this journey! Glad you are enjoying yourself!!

Reply
Bazyl Dripps
6/20/2015 05:12:44 am

That's a great post Jordan! I'm happy your journey is going well.

Reply
Chris & Kayla
6/24/2015 02:44:45 pm

Glad you're enjoying it and learning lots! We are always sending you our thoughts and prayers from MN. Love you Cuz!

Reply
Cody
6/25/2015 12:04:51 pm

More of this. Moooooore. Looking forward to the manifesto. Keep on keep in' on.

Reply
Kev
6/25/2015 02:10:10 pm

Proud of you man. Looking forward to hearing about the rest of the adventure. Keep on killin pirates

Reply
Pop
6/26/2015 06:55:06 am

Congrats Jordan. According to my calculations, yyou only had to hike 10 miles today to reach the 1/2 way point and it looks like you have reached it. As they say" it's all downhill now!
Love and stay healthy--Pop

Reply
Pop
7/10/2015 09:55:48 pm

Jordan-------Beautiful pictures and a great narrative of your hike. Always enjoy reading of your experiences. Keep up the phone calls when you can.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    March 2016
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015

    Categories

    All
    Gear
    Georgia

    Trail Links

    Appalachian Trials
    A.T. Conservancy
    WhiteBlaze
    Quick and Dirty Guide
    REI
    Steep and Cheap
    The Clymb

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.