Springer Mountain Plaque
For the past month, I’ve been locked in a vacation state of mind. My heart is still on the trail, but my brain and body are hard at work writing, and making a dollar at my day job.
The Appalachian Trail has a way of keeping your heart. Each time I return to the trail it takes longer to pull away from the simple peace of backpacking “the long green tunnel.” It could be the people I meet on the trail, or perhaps it’s the meditative rhythm of my feet hitting dirt. The only thing I am certain of is that I change each time I visit.
This last trip was especially enlightening. I realized I have only so many days in this life – and I have already passed through about half of them. There is no refund, or “satisfaction guaranteed.” If any of us hope to be satisfied with our lives, it’s up to us to make it happen.
Longer trails, deeper caves, and new adventures lie ahead — so don’t stop now.
All who wander are not lost. ~ JRR Tolkin