Why I could NOT hike the 2175 miles Appalachian Trail, at this point in my life:

I love hiking, but I could not go in just ONE direction every day!

To the Thru Hikers of the AT; past, present, and future, I Salute You! I would be honored, if you would share what you have learned from your journey with me, shoot me an email at 2createourworld@gmail.com.

The rest of this post with describe my time spent in the Delaware Water Gap and talking with the thru-hikers.

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Thomas, a retired Ad-man from New York City and Robert, also a retired New Yorker, were kind enough to told me about the Church and then gave me a ride.  I had been in Portland, PA, 5 miles East-ish (mentioned in yesterday’s blog, Anthony & Tom).

Thomas is a watercolorist (Check his stuff!) and is loving the relaxed pace of Portland.

They dropped me off in the parking lot.  The Church of the Mountain.  What a name!

Delaware Water Gap is a 10 block town on a hill.  A hiker town, where most of the people on the streets have gnarly beards, hair sticking up in the back, large backpacks, and are shaded a tint of brown or blackish.

 

 

 

I may have been in the running for the Cleanest Person in Town Award and I was a few days removed from a shower!

I felt at home!

Although I only walked out of my Nana’s front door yesterday, I decided to take the day off!!   So I slept in and ate a big breakfast, then hiked down to the Delaware River for a day of dipping by toes in the water and napping on a stone beach.

Later, “Moe” and “Crazy Joe” shot some film for the documentary “Joe” is making about the AT.  He recently completed a documentary on the Pacific Coast Trail, the AT’s sister trail across the country.  ”Moe” explained the process of writing grants to me, describing that this is how “Joe” would pay for his adventures.  

Grants, from what I picked up, are money funds available to those that have an idea and a plan for a remarkable project.  Then, put their plan into action!  I made a mental note to research these more later.

“Whitebread,” “Turtle,” “Otter,” and other folks with funny names shared their stories with me.  People from all over, with all sorts of backgrounds.  They all knew each other, at least as acquaintances.  According to one hiker, they were over 1,200 miles into the Trail and most were looking forward to leaving the rocky trails of Pennsylvania for the softer trails in New Jersey and New York.

 

 

 

“Penny Whistle” said I should call myself, “Clover Toes” when I challenged her to come up with a name right on the spot.  But I introduced myself as Ben.  I was the outsider, although I looked like them (a bit cleaner though!).  

Open, friendly people; that were very grateful for a hot shower and warm food, that they didn’t have to make.  

“Whitebread” didn’t understand why more people don’t hike the trail.

He had met a bunch of people whom expressed a desire to hike the Trail, lived right next to it, but weren’t doing it.

This seems common!  How often do you hear stories of people that have amazing dreams, journeys, careers, or relationships they want, but they never go get them?  Or even have never even tried to get them?

I have never been more faithful that anyone can live the life of their dreams.  

Am I delusional, naive, an idealistic dreamer, that is soon to crash and burn??? 

Is it possible for Anyone to live the Life of their Dreams?

Share your thoughts here in comments, on Facebook, or shoot me an email at 2createourworld@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tommorrow, I hit the road again!!! I am going to see how many miles I can hitch!!!

Create Our World,

Ben.

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” - Confucius

 

 

Tags: adventure travel blog, appalachian trail hikers, Benjamin Jenks, create our world, hitchhiking
Categories: Places.

This entry was posted on Friday, July 17th, 2009 at 7:00 am and is filed under Places.. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.