The Genesis of my Revelation for my Exodus...
An epic journey of biblical proportions? Probably not. I am just a Republican Hippy that got tired of the daily grind and decided to go for a nice long walk. When they told me we will give you free money if you quit working, my only question was where do I sign up? I never really saw this retirement thing coming. A few short years ago, if asked, I would have said I love this job too much to ever quit. Who knew?
I first learned of the Colorado Trail several years ago. I had taken the family to Durango to get away from Phoenix and the heat. The fact they had opened up a Beau Jo's Pizza in Durango may or may not have had any bearing on my decision to get out of the valley. Miss Dipity guided us along as we "stumbled" into a wonderful little place just outside of town called Junction Creek Campground. It is one of the cleanest and best run campgrounds I had ever been in and it was just a short drive away from Beau Jo's. While exploring the area, we found the sign at the Trail terminus telling anyone that would read it about the Colorado Trail. I had not fallen back in love with backpacking at this point, so I just filed the information in my mental rolladex under things that make you go hmmmmm.
Fast forwarding a few years, I took Jon, along with my friend Ed and several other boys from the troop, on an overnight backpacking trip near Flagstaff. I was immediately transformed back to that weird kid on Billings Street that listened to John Denver and wore hiking boots everywhere. I was hooked and I knew it. It was not too much longer before I was going on and planning backpacking expeditions. I had wanted to take the boys on section hikes on the Colorado Trail but quickly learned you just can't knock out 10-15 miles a day with someone else's kids. So once again it was placed on the back burner. I never really thought of doing a thru hike until someone loaned me their copy of "A Walk in the Woods." The plot was beginning to thicken. Then "Wild" came out and of course I had to read that. Two very different books about thru hiking but both enjoyable (Although Bill Bryson keeps his readers giggling just a tad more that Ms. Strayed).
As I saw things begin to change on the job and with retirement within reach, the idea of hiking the Colorado Trail began to percolate. I begin to research and explore and daydream and wonder. Is this something I could do? Is this something I really want to do? Who would go with me? Who do I NOT want to go with me (that will keep a few people guessin', he said with a wink and a smile)? Once the decision was made how was I going to tell mama? Would she be supportive? Would she have me taken in for a psych eval? Would she buy the airplane ticket, a couple of cases of Mountain House and shove me out the door? I will admit, I was nervous. She didn't say no and that is all that matters...
I would be lying if I told you she was not skeptical, but over time she agreed. I had to purchase a SPOT unit, which is a tracking device that sends out GPS coordinates to a website and her smart phone. It is primarily used in the instance of an emergency. One button push and rescuers are on their way. That one purchase, she will tell you, brought about significant peace of mind for her. But I think she made me get it to make sure I really am hiking and not sneaking off to Bora Bora with Salma Hayek.
I came out of the Trail closet in about September of 2016. Piece-by-piece and step-by-step, I have been planning and organizing to make sure I do this thing right and set a reasonably good example for others that may follow in my steps. That and to make sure I don't make the news. I have no idea what the Trail will bring for me. Whether it is just sore feet or an epic journey of biblical proportions, only time will tell.
As far as retirement goes, I feel "like a free man in Paris unfettered and alive." I hope you will join this Republican Hippy as he goes about on his long walk. After all, it is free money. Just sayin'...
I first learned of the Colorado Trail several years ago. I had taken the family to Durango to get away from Phoenix and the heat. The fact they had opened up a Beau Jo's Pizza in Durango may or may not have had any bearing on my decision to get out of the valley. Miss Dipity guided us along as we "stumbled" into a wonderful little place just outside of town called Junction Creek Campground. It is one of the cleanest and best run campgrounds I had ever been in and it was just a short drive away from Beau Jo's. While exploring the area, we found the sign at the Trail terminus telling anyone that would read it about the Colorado Trail. I had not fallen back in love with backpacking at this point, so I just filed the information in my mental rolladex under things that make you go hmmmmm.
Fast forwarding a few years, I took Jon, along with my friend Ed and several other boys from the troop, on an overnight backpacking trip near Flagstaff. I was immediately transformed back to that weird kid on Billings Street that listened to John Denver and wore hiking boots everywhere. I was hooked and I knew it. It was not too much longer before I was going on and planning backpacking expeditions. I had wanted to take the boys on section hikes on the Colorado Trail but quickly learned you just can't knock out 10-15 miles a day with someone else's kids. So once again it was placed on the back burner. I never really thought of doing a thru hike until someone loaned me their copy of "A Walk in the Woods." The plot was beginning to thicken. Then "Wild" came out and of course I had to read that. Two very different books about thru hiking but both enjoyable (Although Bill Bryson keeps his readers giggling just a tad more that Ms. Strayed).
As I saw things begin to change on the job and with retirement within reach, the idea of hiking the Colorado Trail began to percolate. I begin to research and explore and daydream and wonder. Is this something I could do? Is this something I really want to do? Who would go with me? Who do I NOT want to go with me (that will keep a few people guessin', he said with a wink and a smile)? Once the decision was made how was I going to tell mama? Would she be supportive? Would she have me taken in for a psych eval? Would she buy the airplane ticket, a couple of cases of Mountain House and shove me out the door? I will admit, I was nervous. She didn't say no and that is all that matters...
I came out of the Trail closet in about September of 2016. Piece-by-piece and step-by-step, I have been planning and organizing to make sure I do this thing right and set a reasonably good example for others that may follow in my steps. That and to make sure I don't make the news. I have no idea what the Trail will bring for me. Whether it is just sore feet or an epic journey of biblical proportions, only time will tell.
As far as retirement goes, I feel "like a free man in Paris unfettered and alive." I hope you will join this Republican Hippy as he goes about on his long walk. After all, it is free money. Just sayin'...
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