Unfinished Dreams by Buck Miller

Warmlite Books

Many hold the dream of hiking the Appalachian Trail close to their hearts. It is embedded in our nation’s psyche. A symbol of the lost frontier, a remnant of the untamed, natural, new world. All within a few hours of millions of citizens.

Most dreamers won’t respond to the call that lingers in the heart. The feeling is a remnant of a bygone desire that slipped through the dreamers’ fingers. Some will take day hikes, but age, responsibilities, comfort, health, or other issues take precedence. A few will spend some weeks chugging along the ridge lines, dealing with the “gifts” that the weather and terrain present, glorying in the beauty that the trail offers, and popping whatever assortment of pills needed to push on to take that next step.

A small bunch will set out to walk the 2100+ miles of the Appalachian Trail whether in one chunk as a “thru hiker” or in pieces as a “section hiker”. Every year a migration begins from Springer Mountain in Georgia or Mount Katahdin in Maine. Dreamers all. The treks are long and, at times, difficult. Some hike alone while others gather in linear communities. Each experience is unique and life changing.

This story shares the experiences of section hikers. Many hiker memoirs begin in Georgia or Maine describing passages as they unfold across the miles. Section hiking is not a linear trek from one mile to the next. The author and his wife backpacked on weekends, holidays, and vacations. Folks followed us through our journals. Some cheered. Many wondered why in the world we would go through all that when our local city park offers a campground and woods. The dreamers understand. It’s not about comfort or cleanliness or smelling good. It’s about doing something that you may not be able to do in the future. It’s about adventure and exploration of the world out there and of oneself. Day after day of hiking in the woods fosters new perspectives.

What is this story about? Entertainment? Introspection? Memories? Information? You bet. It’s full of “critical” stuff about equipment, food, sex, enlightenment, bears, and mice, as well as how to avoid the dangers associated with eliminating in the woods. The author shares the struggles and joys of hiking the AT and offers a deeply felt “thank you” to all who enriched our pilgrimage.

For our children and grandchildren, we offer this account. They know we’ve been wandering around the Appalachians for 30 years, but they really don’t know what we’ve been up to. Some may love what they read. Others may not but we are who we are. There is hope our descendants will appreciate the tale and be energized to explore the joys and beauty of the long, green sanctuary.

For experienced hikers, we hope our journey’s tale will bring smiles and good memories.

For those with unfinished dreams about trekking on the ridges of the AT, may our path encourage you to strap on boots and a pack for the adventure of your lives.

The trail awaits.