Getting on the Trail

I went to Grandfather Mountain on a camping trip with some of my very dear friends and my youngest son this summer. Out there, in the majesty of the Great Smokies, I wanted to go for a walk. I thought about my Pop John, my departed grandad who once walked the Appalachian Trail. He didn't finish it, he only walked a week. Ha! Only! I admire him for doing that, and I want to follow in his footsteps. I have decided that I am going to become a backpacker, and this blog is how I will share my thoughts about my journey with whoever is willing to listen.

I've done a little research, trying to get myself ready to go out on the trail. I've window shopped on the web, looking for the gear I'm going to need, learning the lingo, and finding out that backpacking isn't quite what I thought it was! I have learned that it isn't all about lugging all the creature comforts of home and all the best and newest equipment. I'm going to post links that have been helpful to me. I'll also put up pics of progress I am making on my gear, as well as pics from the trails I hit. I am so stoked!