I love to walk. During the past four months, I've covered nearly 1400 miles of the A.T., and probably another 200 miles while walking in towns and on side trails.

Recently, however, I decided to stop hiking the A.T. Scott was forced to leave the Trail due to injury, and I left because emotionally I felt unable to continue. Although I once dreamed of walking from Georgia to Maine in six months, I have decided to extend my time limit. I feel that I'll appreciate my hike more if I take some time off now.

The day after we returned home, Scott started on anti-inflammatories for his heels and antibiotics for his tick bite. I tested negative for Lyme disease. Currently we are both healthy, although Scott's heels still bother him, and my knees ache constantly.

In the end, I left the Trail because I wasn't having fun. I tried to return to that "fun" mode that dominated the early part of my hike, but I couldn't. I then continued to hike just to achieve my goal. I soon realized that if my heart isn't in something, and I have given it a fair chance, I should allow myself to change my mind.

One of the hardest things about leaving the Trail was leaving all my Trail friends. Since they are still hiking, I can't call or visit them. But, I will catch up with them after they reach Katahdin.

I have so many wonderful memories, etched in my brain in Kodak photographic quality. I'll remember the night I spent with my friends at the Mt. Cammerer Lookout in the Smokies - the amazing sunset and sunrise. I remember meeting Opto and Pop-Pop, having no idea that they would become my closest friends and companions for the rest of my hike. I remember that first morning on Springer with TeaTree, when ice covered everything, including our tents. I remember laughing so hard that I cried with Samurai and Tea and Cusi and Zach. I remember the joy of taking a shower after being dirty for days. I remember the amazing town people who gave us rides.

Thank you to all who encouraged me during my journey. Your good wishes were very much appreciated.

Years from now, I may wish that I had completed my thru-hike. But instead of regretting my decision to stop, I will dust off my hiking gear and hit the Trail again. With less than 800 miles to go, I am confident that I will eventually finish the A.T. That is one of the most important lessons that the Trail has taught me - I can do anything I want to do.

See you on the Trail!

Sneetch

P.S. For those who asked for updated gear comments, they've been added to About Sneetch.