Take a Hike

From
Frog Prince aka Chad,
     
      Here I am with only a few week left before I leave on my first true multi day long hike.  I've shared with many people about my dreams and goals regarding hiking the Appalachian Trail or A.T. for short.  I failed to make my budget for that trip this year. So to not waste all that I have worked for, I am hiking the Vermont Long Trail in July.
    The Long Trail should take me about 25 day give or take a few for health and weather. My youngest, Richard will be joining me on this expedition.  I hope he learns a lot, as I know I will.  We have so much to gain in a trip like this.
    We will learn more about nature, ourselves and each other. We will have time to reflect on our past and on our futures. Bonding all the while. Sharing our knowledge, missing friends and family, his mother aka my beautiful and supportive wife. I know that this trip will only help us grow to be better people and a closer family.
    We have about 90 % of what we need.and a small percentage of stuff we don't need. I have ordered the last reference book that we'll need , so now we have the "The Long Trail Guild" and the "End-to-Enders Guild" from the Green Mountain Club. All that I need now is a map.  If there is anybody else out there that may be thinking about multi day pack trips and need a hand just ask, I am fast becoming an expert on the subject.
    In closing of this blog, I must put out a very special thank you to the people at Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS). The team of people over there in Portsmouth have been more that just helpful with gear selection and their knowledge of what we're getting into.  They have been supportive and motivating, sharing stories about their own hikes and trips.Giving me thing to think about when I thought that I've already made up my mind.
   I feel like I've made a new group of friends.  So a heartfelt thank you  to the crew at EMS, Jason, Chris, Rob and the rest.  Bless you, you all truly make the difference.
                      Frog Prince !