Appalachian Trail update

Maybe it’s because we’ve been staying with family for over two months; or maybe it’s because taxes are coming due; or maybe it’s because we haven’t exercised or walked for almost 4 months; or maybe it’s because I may never see my dog alive again once we leave this time; or maybe it’s because I’m in Trump overload; or maybe it’s because I’ve been to Wal-Mart twice in the last week; or maybe it’s because my wife can now order off the senior menu at Denny’s—for whatever reason, I’ve been in a bit of a down mood of late.

As soon as we got back to the states, we sent our major gear in for repairs.  The tent had a few broken brackets and small holes which Z-Packs took care of (for free).  My pack had some broken straps and a tear which Gregory repaired (for free).  Pam’s pack was so far beyond repairable that Osprey said they didn’t even want to attempt to repair it, so they chose to send her a new pack (for free—they really mean a “kick-ass” lifetime warranty).  Our boots were worn out so we went to REI and got new ones (no where near free!).

I’m antsy and depressed.   Pam is antsy and kind of grumpy (at least to me but she’ll argue that when she reads this—but it’s true).  Ilana is tired and old.  Pam’s parents would like to have their old life back, but little do they realize it will never be the same now that they have agreed to become a white trash family and raise their grand-daughter-in-law (Ilana whom some call my dog when we all know she is, in reality, my daughter).

One thing all of our family and friends agree upon is that they will miss Pam, but what a relief it will be to have me out of their houses again.  (We may have to leverage this fact in the future and start asking for donations to NOT have me visit).  There’s only one thing that will put all these things right—we must leave, and soon.

To make the world a better place for all of our family and friends, we have chosen a start date for the Appalachian Trail.  February 12, 2018 is “FFC-Day” (Freedom From Curtis Day for all but Poor Pitiful Pam, PPP).   She kind of knew what to expect when she agreed to marry me (thank heaven for the grape growers and vintners of New Zealand for making our second marriage a possibility).

We’ve got our gear ready–plenty of food on hand and a couple of care packages have been prepared for friends to bring to us on the trail.  Several friends have agreed to spend some time with us on the trail (presumably to make sure that we are actually hiking and not allow us to return and bother unsuspecting family/friends).  Pam Lewis will spend a couple of weeks with us early on when we make our way through the Smokies and again at a later date TBD.  Dan and Sue Settle are planning on meeting us in Damascus, VA.  Chris and Bob (last names withheld to protect their professional identities since they work in Washington, DC) will meet us around Shenandoah.  We will see friends in New Jersy.  Peter and Marcia from Maine (two of our closest friends we met while hiking the West Highland Way in Scotland) are planning to hike the “100 Mile Wilderness” with us.  Even George has agreed to take us to Georgia to start the trail if we will agree to quit pestering him to hike with us on the AT and New Zealand.

We are in the process of saying our final goodbyes–the “ladies of the evening Friday night club” were visibly relieved when we turned in our notices last week (Sarah has had a nervous tick ever since we got back).  Pam’s parents have been tremendous hosts for us and it is with great relief, to me, that they will raise my daughter while I, once again, become an absentee parent.  We drive to Georgia on Sunday and start the trail Monday.  The world is about to be right once again—we start hiking the AT in four days.