My trail name is Path. When hiking on the Appalachian Trail (AT) one usually does not use their real name, they get a trail name. I got my trail name over 15 years ago. Before my youngest daughter turned the magical age of 13 and while she still doted on her father we used to go out day hiking every weekend. We often walked on the AT and loved reading the trail logs at the shelters. We wanted to write comments in the shelter logs but needed trail names. She named me Path and I named her Ankh. While on longer backpack trips logging my trail name in the shelter logs always game me certain reassurance that if I got lost the searchers could start at my starting point and read the trail logs, once they come to the first shelter that doesn't have my trail name they can pinpoint the approximate spot I got lost.
I am an experienced backpacker, for the last thirty years I usually took 3 to 4 trips per year. An overnight trip for around 20 miles, a couple 40 to 50 milers and my annual trip for a week on either the AT or in the Sierra Nevadas (California) that was usually around 100 miles. While walking on the AT I always saw thru hikers and wished I could hike for longer than a week. Ahh, the curse of the working man, not enough vacation in a year.
Every year when I came home from my week long trip I was 10 to 15 pounds lighter, blood pressure down and generally in great shape. However, the best thing the one week trip would do for me is rejuvenate my spirit. After 3 days on the trail I would forget about work and after five I would start forgetting about family and friends and start feeling clear minded. When I came home I was a better father and husband, I was much more productive at work, I didn't procrastinate, at home and work I could clearly see the goals, break them into steps and execute. I got things done. Unfortunately this euphoria would start to fade after 3 months and be completely gone after 6.
For the last couple years my job became a drudge. I am in the IT profession and love creating new technology however with advancement my job became more working on budgets, forecasts, contracts and all the other administration. I had little time to lead my team or to dig into my loved technology. My motivation and drive was down. The opportunity to retire early came and I jumped on it. My wife was a little scared but she supported me.
My first goal of retirement was to walk the southern half of the Appalachian trail. If a week long backpack trip could rejuvenate me what would a 12 week trip do. I am hoping for a complete recalibration. After 40 years of working nose to the grindstone I need to open my mind and establish new life goals. I plan on doing the northern half in 2019 just to make sure.
