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Article 8

March 23, 2012

By Jim Dashiell, MD

Tribune Columnist 

The time is just around the corner for Funnybone to quit talking and start walking. I'm being driven to the start of the trail on Sunday and will take my first steps Monday after a pancake breakfast.

I just found out that bears are becoming a big problem along the trail in northern Georgia. Because of that you are not allowed to camp in this section unless you store your food in a bear canister. That's a metal container they can't get into. They have figured out how to get your food bag down from trees. So your choices are to carry this heavy metal container for your food or keep hiking. I think I'll not loiter in this area.

I've been busy packing, weighing, unpacking, sorting through my gear, repacking, reweighing, fussing over just what I need to take or leave, thinking about the meaning of 'needs' versus 'wants,' . . .etc. . . etc. . . . etc.

I'm looking forward to the start because the fussing about preparation, training, details of who will pay my bills, mow my yard, take care of my dog, etc. will be problems I'll leave behind. A brother will live in my house, a friend will use my garden, my car will take a six month break (it just registered over 250,000 miles) and I'll enjoy the freedom of being on the trail.

One thing I did not fully realize was how much my absence will affect others. I'll miss eight of my grandkids' birthdays, many friends and family will support me here while I'm on the Trail sending food, clothes, shoes and otherwise being inconvenienced because I want to do this hike.

In a way it's very selfish of me to ask these favors of those I love but EVERYONE has been so supportive. Yesterday I had a tearful goodbye moment with my daughter. On Thursday Tricia Harlow's zumba class at the Lutheran church had a 'goodbye Doc' theme with Tricia donating the money to Mustard Seed. This weekend, Mustard Seed will have it's annual family, fun and dinner event at the fairgrounds with hiking/camping as the theme. Hope to see you there.

There will be local folks who visit me on the trail, both friends and family. Anyone can follow me on my blog by going to Trailjournals.com, click on journals, search for Funnybone, click on my name and read my entries. I also expect to send articles to The Tribune County Tribune.

In summary, the trail is 2,181 miles long, it runs through 14 states, will take me 6 months and only 10 percent of people my age make it. It goes over 400 mountains and requires 5,500,000 steps. I'll be carrying in my pack everything I will need to survive with the occasional resupply of food. Finding water will be a problem as the snow fall/rain has been much less than average. I'll be relying on trail angels, your blessings and good health to carry me (us) to the end on Mt Katahdin in Maine.

As I said, it's time to stop talking and start walking.

NE on the AT is NEAT!

Funnybone