hikingafter40

So, I truly suck at keeping a blog because, well, I get bored with it, and don't feel like writing.  Then I feel inspired and write in a flurry. In a notebook. With a pen. I don't feel it authentic to retype it all here, so, I don't. A lot has happened since my last post in August. For one, unexpectedly, I accepted a new job at the community college where I graduated and where I started my academic career 20 years ago.  As much as I love the students at Union and the opportunities I've had in New Jersey, it's time to go home. New Jersey is just too expensive, and as I think and pray constantly for my father who is battling lung cancer, I think, one day, hopefully a long time from now, but, one day, my sons are going to go through this with me.  I can't afford a future for my disabled son, Julian, in New Jersey.  He will always require a companion.  In PA, near our family, he has a chance.  Northampton is one of the best community colleges i...

Rambo and I used to debate over the important things: Thundercats versus Little House on the Prairie.  They both came on TV at 4:00, and this was the only time slot of the day when our Mom didn't have a program she was watching because she was making dinner.  Rambo, being older and much bigger, would always win the battle, but I still fought it every day. Fast forward 35 years. Neither of us watch TV.  But, the banter has never died.  It's how we roll. In the backpacking community, debates happen all the time.  To Bear Bag or Not; that is the question.  Trail runners versus boots?  Tent or hammock?  Brain, no brain?  Trekking pole versus sticks?  NOBO versus SOBO?  Is a Flip Flop a legitimate thru hike?  Aqua blazing ~  Yes or No? Every blaze or yellow blazing? Approach trail in Springer?  Can you give yourself your own trail name? I've been crowd sourcing ideas forever, and I definitely ask questions with ...

Yesterday, I wanted to hike, but my son, Sharpie Boy, who is Autistic and has CP as a result of an infant stroke, was having none of it.  Nothing is more miserable than hiking with someone who hates it, so I didn't force him to go. Instead, he wanted to go to Taco Bell.  The kid clearly has a stomach made of steel. I get very depressed when I can't get outside.  The weather has been horrible, so it was the first nice day to get out, and I was stuck at a Taco Bell. But, this is the life of a parent with a child with special needs.  He appreciated getting to choose our activity, and 3 burritos later, he was all smiles. So, instead, I went hiking today. Alone. This is actually my favorite way to hike.  I like to camp with others, but I prefer to hike alone. I can go at my own pace, stop when I want, take a million pictures when I want, and I am not holding anyone up or going too fast. I did a section in New Jersey that I have done about 10 times as...

I am actually heading out the door to take a hike with my unwilling 15 year old son when my phone vibrates with a text. It's Rambo. "Can you look in the hiker boxes for a Tomahawk?  I don't have one of those." My first thought was, who is putting Tomahawk missiles into hiker boxes...but then I remembered there is an axe thing called a Tomahawk, and this is Rambo. Eye Roll and laughter. I text back, "um, I will ask around, but I've never known anyone to have a Tomahawk or even a machete." "I already have one of those." "You need both?" "We've got to be prepared." So, I am not sure what my brother thinks lives on the AT in the 13ish mile section between Blue Mountain and the Lehigh River in PA, but I am fairly sure it isn't Nessie or Bigfoot.  Surely, some selfies would exist, right? I mean, we grew up there.  He still lives there.  Are there sightings?  Have I missed something in the 12 years s...