Take a Hike!
The Initial Shock
Take a Hike!
The Initial Shock
On April 20th, 1997, Wendy asked Tim when he was going to hike the Appalachian Trail. This is something Tim has long talked about, and the answer was always "someday." Well Wendy insisted that Tim either poop-or-get-off-the-pot, so to speak, and suggested that he go now. "Now?" Tim incredulously asked? "Well, as soon as you can plan it, and after you finish the upstairs of the house," Wendy replied (it's only been unfinished for 10 years now...).
After more prodding and questions, to make sure that Wendy wasn't simply pulling Tim's leg, or getting him all worked up over something that just wasn't going to happen, the truth has finally set in. Tim is going to hike the AT, beginning in March of 1999.
Thus began the planning stages for One Man's Long Walk on the Appalachian Trail.
Now my plans for the trip are simple. Start in Georgia in March, and walk till I get to Maine, some 2160 miles later. I know there is more to it than this, but at 22 months and counting, there is little else I can say right now. I am a geek and a bit-head as well as a paddler (hey, there's an appropriate trail name, Paddler...) so you can expect to see updates on the web site, gee, probably right here, of my trip. Come to think of it, I can take a digital camera, my Apple Newton message pad and a cell phone and update my pages directly! Way cool. Gotta add this to the list.
I promise more structure to this page in the future, interesting links to other AT sites I find useful, as well as more planning information as it becomes available. I am really excited to do this, and Wendy has yet again made me realise why I am the happiest man alive. How many wives would agree to continue to work full time while playing single mother to 3 very active kids and support team leader for an AT thru-hike. Man I am one lucky guy!
Drop me a note of encouragement, or question my sanity if you prefer. This is bound to be one great adventure. My email address is thewitt@fairchildsemi.com. By the way, in case you are wondering, I asked my boss for permission to take a six month leave of absence to hike the trail and was immediately granted permission. I really love working for Fairchild Semiconductor and feel privileged to be able to take this time off without fear of losing my job. Life is great, isn't it!