tomorrow
wanna walk to Maine or what?
I am starting my Appalachian Trail thru hike tomorrow,
but I have to tell you about what happened today.
Today Emily and I went to Amicalola Falls State Park in Georgia that hosts AT Basecamp.
It was packed with families on spring break and thru hikers with their big packs. We met with the trail ambassadors who helped me register. An older man talked us through a presentation with a bear mascot, reminding us to keep our food safe and to leave no trace.
Emily and I were sitting in chairs in front of their television when a lady handed me my hang tag.
Each year hikers get their “hiker number” on their hang tags. Essentially it’s how many hikers have registered and helps folks with the AT Conservancy keep up with us.
Mine is 1208.
Here’s why this is so emotional for me:
If you know me in real life or have read earlier posts about why I’m thru hiking, you know about Kailey, my best friend who passed away when we were teenagers.
Without getting too woo-woo on you, I get little signs from her often. Especially with numbers. Most often is her birthday and 14.
Kailey’s birthday was 08/12.
My hiker tag number that will hang on my backpack the whole way, and stick with me forever is 1208.
Feels like she’ll be with me every step.
Feels like she was giving me a blessing.
Feels like..idk
I’m not sure how to put it in words without sounding insane in your email haha
Life’s been so busy prepping for today.
I’ve been dreaming of this for so long.
It’s happening tomorrow.
Crazy to think I’m on the brink of something big.
Talk soon,
kris