I was there in, I think 2008?

drove the Blue Ridge and hiked a few trails but not on the Appalachian. Unfortunately, well not really, it was winter time. Late winter. It was still beautiful, but I would have preferred the lush green season. I was also there in 1969, during the green season, and remember it well, but did no hiking at that time.

The trail itself I have crossed many times... motorcycles trips twice and in a car several times... always Pennsylvania and south. I have never been to Vermont or New Hampshire and in Maine I only had a layover in Bangor so that doesn't count. It's possible I crossed it once in New York but I can't remember exactly where I traveled in New York.

During the 90's I made several plans to hike on the Appalachian, never the entire trail but 150 miles or so, but my plans never came to fruition.

I have taken several backpacking trips, overnighters with sleeping bag, and in several states - Alaska, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, but none very long. All my long treks have been in Calif.

In my elder years I'm not as keen on seeing 'the world' these days. Tired, I suppose is partly why, but it's also that wherever I have traveled I have loved, each place special, and each place impossible to 'know well' even if one spent their lifetime there. And so more accessible areas, proximity, appeal to me more because I know that even a hike lying no further than a 1.5 drive from my home will satisfy that need I have to get away and find solitude and beauty and that inner calling for 'adventure'.