Monday, November 19, 2012

The Trail of all Trails - Part 1

 
 

I've been on a lot of trails in my life - even before losing weight, hiking was always one of my favorite activities.
 
I'll be dad gummed if this 'Apple a'chin' Trail wasn't something special.

 
 I swear you could just sense it as you stepped on the soil for the first time.
Truly - it was an experience.
Maybe I was just hyping it up in my mind, but I don't think so.  It seems that we all had the same experience.
Awe, a sense of humility and wonder.  You could feel the history of the trail, sense all of those that had walked it before - you knew it was a place where dreams were born, and many of those dreams realized.
 
 
In true Jayme fashion, after spending an afternoon on the trail I decided that I wanted to hike the trail in its entirety before I die!
(can someone help me out here?  Its/It's confuses the heck out of me.  It's is a contraction for it is - right?  I keep thinking I need a ' in its cause it's showing possession of the trail.  ??)

Logic, reason and my bank account has tempered me in the past month, and now my goal is to just hike a portion of it in each state.  That alone will be a great feat given my 'squirrel!' personality.
 
It's hard to believe that this trip was well over a month ago.  Where do I begin?  Do I just show you pictures?  Do I drag you through every minute detail?
I think I need to drivel.

  
Let's begin.
 
First - let me say that Aaron is fabulous.  I get texts daily like 'I love school!'  'I'm at Whole Foods!'  'I love living in the city!' and the sort.
I am going to the school on Wednesday afternoon to have my hair done by a student and pick up the Selfish Punk for the Thanksgiving weekend.
I'm going all out!  This is so fun - having him come home.
I vow to be sportin' a bra and not to cry when he leaves.  I do.

The Pilgrims will most certainly be illuminated!

 
 OK - here we go.  Empty your bladders and fill your coffee cups.  I feel a Part 2, 3 4and possible coming up.

The cast of characters

From left to right - Kelly B, Melissa W, and Kim B (Kim is responsible for 99.9% of the fabulous photos you will see in this post)
 
These are some terrific people - as in - you ain't gone find no betta.
I met them all on the Internet!  Can ya believe it?  My mom is probably rolling in her grave.
Kelly has lost 65lbs, Melissa 50lbs, and Kim 50lbs.
They are fabulous.

The trip all started with Melissa - who is a blog reader of mine - inspired to lose weight.
She realized how she gave up her dreams of hiking the Appalachian Trail because of her weight issues.  Kim and Kelly caught wind of her dream to hike the trail and arranged this trip.
See?  That is the kind of people they are.
Cream of the crop.
And you don't know the half of it.

When I was invited to go on this trip - I really had hoped and planned that I would get to.
A root canal, cracked molar, and property taxes later - I was broke, busted - but never disgusted.

Kim and Kelly insisted I still come - saying the cabin would cost the same with me or without me.
Melissa drove from Minnesota and picked me up here in Indiana and wouldn't let me give her a dime for gas, stating she'd be driving right through Indiana anyhow.
So basically - I was a mooch and a hobo.
: -)
Life is grand.


Let's not forget this terrific specimen of a dog - Chance.
I never spoke of it here on the blog - but as my heart was preparing for Aaron's departure, I just about had myself (but not Glenco) talked into a canine companion to fill the void that Aaron would leave in my soul.  I wanted a German Shepard. A big, sturdy, active dog that would protect me, love me unconditionally, and keep me so occupied vacuuming hair up that I'd never miss Aaron.  I was over the moon that Chance was coming because I was in desperate need for canine attention.  Normally, dogs love me - adore even - but Chance was indifferent.  I even brought him gifts.  I think he sensed my need.
I think it scares guys off.  : -)


As usual, I was super busy right before leaving for the AT, and threw some things in a suitcase, only to get there and realize I only packed two pairs of pants.  Whatev.

Melissa is a road warrior.  We talked so much on the way that my throat was sore.  I don't think there was a moment of silence the entire time. 
She's absolutely terrific.


It's nice hanging out with people that like to eat like you eat.  Makes it simple.  We planned and packed our food for the trip.  You can't leave good nutrition to chance!

I like bringing things from home when I go gallivanting around the country - my own blanket - electric skillet - food - dishes, etc.


Isn't this blanket fantastic?  My dear dear friend Renee made it for me for my 50th birthday.  It's flannel!  Gah!  I love it so!

Remember - Melissa drove from Minnesota - so she was ready to stop by the time we got to Lexington, Kentucky.

We finally stopped chatting and had a good nights sleep.  (Should nights have an apostrophe!?  It's been too long since I home schooled Aaron!)

The next morning I made my famous turkey sausage in the hotel room.

These were seriously the biggest Honeycrisp apples I had ever seen.  I think they were close to a pound each.


Melissa approved.  Isn't that a lovely breakfast?
Much better than the bagels the hotel had to offer.
Look how tiny this gal is.
Size 2!
Don't hate!


We loaded up her truck, hit the Starbucks and away we went.
Tennessee or bust. 
My mom is from Tennessee, so it was extra sweet to be there.

 
 
 Part 2 is up  - the next time I can sit still long enough to blog
We arrive at the cabin in the woods - Aaron gets hurt at gymnastics - and I have no pants.

Y'all be happy.
Cause I said so. 
 
 

20 comments:

  1. i can't wait for part 4, 6, 106 ... i've always wanted to hike the AT the whole way, can you imagine the tails & stories you could tell after experiencing it all for once & you could write a book or tell all your friends for years that you hike the whole freakin' way ... (just like i sat through 5 whole Twilight movie all by myself ... & freakin' loved it. even thought i wished some one could have been there to support & laugh with me. but every one was working, sick or whatever, i loved it & that is all that mattered. yipppeee!!) ...but no one will do the AT with me ... & i'm sort of scared to do it by myself ... i am a lady & don't want to any scary issues. i have read & hear the wild stories. i will go along with you & laugh the whole way. love this post!! you always make me laugh. have a fabulous Thanksgiving!! enjoy!! (:

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  2. Hey Jayme,
    I was just wondering today what you've been up to. Glad to hear you are enjoying life. Have a great Thanksgiving and enjoy the company of that child of yourn!

    Cindy Bee

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  3. Just had to check in again, and here we go...a hiking we will go! All of you are such an inspiration. The first two pictures are amazing. That hike had to have been spiritual. Oh boy, and more of "your a hoot Jayme" moments with that traveling fry pan. I do love honeycrisp apples, but after that pic of you, well, yikes! Now when I cruz the produce, well, I will have a flash back moment of your share. Eek! So glad Aaron is doing well. See, ya done good! P. S. I want your blankie. Its one of those fringy ones and flannel to boot! You are blessed to have such great friends. Happy Thanksgiving.

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  4. love it, love it. I can't wait for the rest of it. I missed you on facebook. I'm hoping you have a great hair appointment and a good ride home. Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving.

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  5. So funny that you lost your apples when you lost weight and had to find more! ha. Love the beautiful pics. I've hiked some of the trail around the smokies. I would like to section hike it, too. Love, Cheryl

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  6. Please promise me you won't be showing pictures of yourself with NO pants cuz I don't want have to report myself for visiting a porn site.
    It sounds like you are doing well-that you had a wonderful hiking trip and that you are looking forward to seeing The Kid! Hope your hair turns out! xo Diana

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  7. Sounds like so much fun! The picture of you holding the apples is hilarious! Happy Thanksgiving!

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  8. Oh,my goodness, what incredible beauty!!! And what amazing and wonderful friends you have. I love, love, love that blanket!
    Yes, it's is a contraction for 'it is'. But who really cares? We all know what you mean, so it doesn't matter. No spelling police! Your posts are so well written, it would be shameful to nitpick about that!

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  9. I'm on the edge of my seat! Can't wait to read the rest! And oh, my, don't you look fabulous.

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  10. It's a beautiful thing, all of it!

    And holy cow, you are SKINNY! and beautiful. Just look at YOU.

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  11. Oh wow, sounds like a fabulous trip!! The pictures are beautiful and I can't wait to see the rest and hear more!! What great friends to include you. I love Chance too!! I LOVE my dogs and could not live without them. They are my constant companions. I have miniature schnauzers. ;) Oh yeah, the it's/its thing totally cracked me up!!

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  12. The pictures that you have shared are so pretty. Cannot wait for number 2. I have started a weight lose program of my own. Dr said I needed to loose weight so I joined weight watchers with my sis-in-law. I need to be accountable. 5 pounds before another blood test ordered by doctor. My first goal is 8 pounds, 5 percent of my weight. After that I am not sure what I will go for. I am thinking around 20 pound total. Happy Thanksgiving!

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  13. Fan-flipping-tastic!! Waiting at the rest stop for Part 2 when you've got the time to put thoughts to words Jayme.....

    Blessings,
    Barbra.

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  14. Jayme I think I need to move in with you so you can help me lose the extra 50 I am lugging around. I'm having a difficult time losing any of it.
    That AT looks absolutely amazing as do you!

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  15. keep blogging as I am just an armchair traveler and eenjoy reading about your adventurer

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  16. next year I am going! I love these peeps. Good folks. Really good folks. :)

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  17. I can't wait to see the rest of the pictures and hear the stories you will tell. I wish this was something I could do. It looks like it would be a very spiritual time.

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  18. Oh, Jayme! I've spent entirely too long on your blog site this morning looking for your turkey sausage patty recipe! I know you posted it SOMEWHERE, but for the life of me I can't find it! Then I got all distracted looking at posts from the entire year, so I was wondering if you could provide a link to the recipe? Thanks beautiful woman!

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  19. Jayme where are you..... You've been leaving us hanging entirely to long !!!! :D. Tammy
    Cedar lake

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  20. Jayme -

    Thanks so much for sharing your blog with all of us!! The AT looks inspiring, even in the photos.

    Regarding your question - it's is a contraction - and the only time you use an apostrophe.

    Best to you and Aaron -

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