The Beginning

It was Christmas Eve and just about a week after my Dad passed away when a small package arrived for him at my grandmother's house in Illinois.

The return address said "Arizona Trail Association." Hm. That's odd. I had mentioned to my Dad once or twice while on the phone from Alaska that I was starting to plan a hike along the 800 mile trail this spring. He said he happened to be planning a trip to desert around the same time and that we should definitely meet up somewhere for at least, dinner and a beer or two or five or possibly he could join the hike for a short section. I thought hey, that would be fun, but I honestly didn't think much more about the topic, as kids do when they're busy and across the country from their parents.

My grandma told me told me to open the package. I felt weird about opening mail with my Dad's name on it...like once you start opening packages and going through checkbooks and clothes, that's when a person actually passes away. You realize then you'll never see their distinctive handwriting or their feet in those ugly white gym shoes again and your memories of them will begin to grow just a slight shade dimmer with each ticking instant. How sad and how quickly entire lives are ended and tossed away. Alas, as the living, we have the great responsibility to move on and forward.

Inside the package was a Arizona National Scenic Trail baseball cap, bandana, guidebook, map, and sticker. I'm not sure if my Dad intended it for him or for me, but either way, it felt really great to be thought of by my father one last time. Oh the feels.

Arizona National Scenic Trail schwag my Dad ordered

My brother, seeing the box's contents, remarked, "Well, now you have to do it." and I think he's right.

So, for all who may want to join in on the adventure, I'll be starting this blog as a trail journal for my attempt at the AZT. Comments are welcomed (no trolls please) and I'll try to answer questions as they come up. I'm not sure I'll be posting daily or weekly or whatever, but I intend to make it regular. I hope this blog can add value to you somehow and at a minimum, keep my family and friends updated as to my whereabouts.

Here we go!

<3 Kara