28 Days

Yep, you read that right. 28 days until we embark on our grand adventure. We’ve been planning this trip for so long that it is mind-boggling that it is finally almost here.

Why choose to do something like thru-hike the Appalachian Trail? We’ve been asked a variation of this question a million different times. Literally. I’ve counted. Each time we answer, we discover a little bit more of what we are seeking. It simply began as a desire for some adventure. Something new. Something exciting. Something different than an 8 to 5 work week with much of our true living being on the weekends.

It delved a little deeper into wanting to discover what we really want out of life. You know, with five to six months of simply walking each day, one can imagine that you would have some spare time too really contemplate your wishes and desires.

Hillbilly or bear?

More than anything, we’re eager to live a simpler lifestyle for a little while. It is an exhilarating feeling knowing that everything you need to sustain yourself is being carried right on your back. Instead of living in a society where instant gratification is the norm, we will have to work from sunrise to sunset to do things like set up and tear down shelter, purify water, hang our food off of the ground, dig little (or big) holes in the ground for our poop, and protect ourselves from wild animals and Appalachian Americans (which can be difficult to distinguish at times.). Perhaps more than anything, we will be forced to create our own entertainment. Right now if we're bored, we can flip on the TV, browse Facebook, and throw a few back.  That's not so easy to do in middle of the woods. Call us crazy but we are excited to push ourselves to our physical and mental limits. (DISCLAIMER: These statements are subject to change over the course of the next 6 months. The Fox’s cannot and will not be held liable to maintain these beliefs. Our excitement level to shit in the woods may decrease at any point during the length of our trip. Probably sooner rather than later).

And then there’s the opportunity to meet inspiring people, witness humbling vistas, and experience small town USA along the way. Who could ask for anything more?

RUN from the banjo's

It’s all a little nerve-wrecking. We are leaving the life we’ve known and built behind. All of our luxuries are not going to be found in the woods. We’ve never been away from our family and friends for such an extended period time while simultaneously spending almost every waking moment with our spouse (if Rob disappears, I swear it’s because he walked TOWARDS the banjo’s). And, well, not having a source of income… ‘nuff said.

Most people our age are buying homes, starting families, and building careers. That’s probably the route we should be going. After all, it is the most logical. But, well, we tend to go against the grain so screw it. Why wait to live our life after retirement when we can live it now while we are young and have bodies that are more apt to listen to us. We will always wonder “What Could Have Been?” if we don’t take this opportunity. You never know, we might break a leg on the first day but at least we can say that we tried. And who says that going the logical route is always the most fruitful. So hats off to the trip of a lifetime (annnnnd being able to smell us all the way from Georgia to Michigan).

Happy Trails!

Candice