Appalachian Trail Hiking in Virginia
“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view.” –Edward Abbey What am I looking for? Not only did I ask myself this while dragging my impossibly heavy feet over mountain after taunting mountain, but I questioned it even in the months leading up to my second Appalachian Trail section hike. I remember the shear exhaustion of hiking in North Carolina.. making progress as slow as is humanly possible, swearing that I’d never do this to myself again. I describe it as being similar to the high one gets after a race, the absurd endorphin filled urge to sign up for another one despite hating yourself for the majority of the mileage. But I think it’s more than that. I was asked, “What are you looking forward to the most on this trip?” After short contemplation, I replied, “I have no idea.. something amazing.” In short, I have a great life that I’m not trying to run away from. I’m not trying to find spiritual enlightenment. I have decid...