On Occasion people read my blog. Not only do they read my blog they email me with a question or two. Not long ago I got an email from a 19 year old college student contemplating the road ahead with an interest in travel and hiking the Appalachian Trail. He had a number of questions. I felt obliged to answer and was happy to do so.
For me 19 seems like yesterday but in reality it was 25 years ago and in someways feels like a lifetime away. In a sense I don't feel like I'm all that different from the questioner so perhaps I was able to give him a glimpse of where he may be in 25 years if he chooses a similar path. Needless to say, you never really know.
Anyway, after replying to his inquiries I felt like they were questions many others might be curios about so I've decided to post my response on this blog. I'm posting exactly as sent including typos etc.... I am not posting his email so some of the answers may not be all that clear but I still think you will get the idea. So, Here goes.....
A not Q
Sounds like your going through a bit of soul searching right now and in my opinion that's a good thing. Life has so much to offer and your at the perfect age to seek out options. In my opinion the under grad years are the best time for it. Your exposed to so many new things in college with classes, activities, and the people you meet etc. that it's not uncommon to change majors or question if the path your on is really what you want. That's perfectly normal and healthy. At some point you figure it out and if academia is really necessary then you move on to a graduate program and sharpen your focus.. Be it music, English, or whatever..... The fun thing for you is that your just getting started!
I completed college in 5 1/2 years (time off in between) and received a B.A. from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA. My degree is very eclectic and general with no real major but it's a legitimate degree that I am happy to have. Evergreen is a very liberal college whose claim to fame is that fact that the creator of the Simpson's Matt Groening, graduated from there. Some Universities boast Presidents but at Evergreen we boast the Simpson's....LOL!....
-Now to answer your questions.. I'll address them one by one.... If you feel drawn to hike the A.T. I highly recommend it. To this day it's still what I consider to be the greatest experience of my life thus far. I'm so happy I did it when I did. It's definitely something you want to do when you have the fire and passion to do so because it it's very physical and at times mentally demanding. However, looking back, I loved every minute of it. What I found most powerful about hiking on a trail through the woods up and over mountains for 2,000+ miles is that you think about almost everything and experience just about every emotion in it's purist form. You really learn a lot about yourself and grow as a person. For me I basically stepped on as one person and stepped off as another. I mentally and emotionally grew a great deal.
-When I say that I never really left the trail I am referring to a sort of insatiable need I have to see new places and experience new things. Life feels so rich when I travel. Everyday and every moment feels lived and not stagnant. I credit the A.T. with setting that tone in my life...
-I decided to hike the trail shortly after High School mainly because I was never really all that crazy about school and simply wanted a break. Also, I was anxious for an adventure and really had the motivation to go for it. So I did.. All said, I think School is very important and I'm very happy that I followed through with getting a B.A after the trail....
-The big advantage to doing the trail in one full go is that you really do get into a rhythm. It's not only with yourself but the people you meet on the trail. You become an active part of a very special moving community and forge some really good friendships along the way. I think it would be difficult and ashame to part ways in the middle... Many people do the trail in sections but the ultimate is to go all the way. I'd recommend starting in late March which would allow you the time to thru hike it. If it's not your thing then you can always get off but if it is your thing you will be really glad you started in March. Give yourself the option..
-The upside to thru hiking is that your on the trail for 5 months. The downside is that your on the trail for 5 months. For me it wasn't a problem but for many being away from family, loved ones, and home for 5 months was a bit much. Those hikers are usually the ones that drop out within the first month or two... It's an individual thing as far as downside goes.. For me the positives so far outweighed the negatives. I struggled with the expected break in period during the first couple of weeks and doubted myself quite a bit during that time. However, after 2 weeks I began to get fit and really took to the lifestyle of hiking all day and everyday... I did not have a girlfriend at the time so I can't really advise you in that arena. That's something you kind of have to sort out for yourself. However, I will say at 19 you have plenty of time in the realm of girlfriends. I'd be tempted to say if a girlfriend was the only thing keeping you from doing the hike, you might regret it later in life. The reason I say this is because of your age but then again I don't know anything about your relationship. For all I know she's the one but that's your business and you will have to sort it out on your own...
-My parents were quite supportive when I told them I was going to do the trail. When I finished they were impressed and proud... I don't know you personally nor do I know your parents but judging by the way you write you seem perfectly sensible and capable to take care of yourself on the trail. Maybe your parents might worry? There's really no need to. They might be concerned that you will abandon your studies and take up the life of Riley afterwards? Well, that's your decision..... Again, you seem like a sensible person so there's no need for them to worry....
-Looking back the A.T. was the perfect adventure for me at that time of my life...
-Ok, onto another subject. How do I pay for the lifestyle I live?. First let me say that in America there are a million and one ways to make money if you use a little creativity....I buy and sell stuff. Mainly antiques and collectibles. I use to be a big collector and started by selling items I collected years ago. I no longer desire accumulating things but I still like old stuff. I therefore go out and find collectibles at a desirable price, enjoy them a bit, then sell for a profit. Lately I've been very much into old Blues records which are quite collectible. I'm able to have fun and make a simple living. I'm not independently wealthy nor do I have a trust fund or anything like that. I live on a very modest income and have little desire to spend my money on things I don't really need. I have no debt and only spend money I have. A big mistake a lot of people make is living beyond their means. I'm not saying acquiring a mortgage or a certain amount of debt is bad just as long as ones income fits the bill. More often than not people are burdened and more or less imprisoned by the material items they own.... Anyway, I've had many jobs through the years but for awhile I worked seasonal jobs in resort towns. I spent several years living in Aspen, Co driving limos, bell hopping etc...I'd work 4 hard months in the winter and 4 months in the summer and have about 4 months off a year and still keep the same job. The seasons between summer and winter are always slow so many employers encourage their staff to take an extended leave so many do.... I've tried the standard career track but it was never for me. For some its great. It's really quite simple. Just pick a career, work hard, play the game and move up the ladder. It's relatively stable, fairly easy, and good money but not my thing. I have many friends who have climbed the corporate ladder quite successfully and own big homes, fancy cars etc. and are really quite happy. At the same time though they envy my freedom and couldn't imagine just taking off for three months to travel through India and S.E. Asia... However, I'm quite impressed by what they have accomplished even though its never really been my aspiration.... We are all wired differently and I think its important to know how your wired. I once dated a top shelf tax attorney. She loved the rush of working through large mergers and acquisitions of some of the nations largest corporations. Me? I could never do what she did and simply wouldn't be able to handle the pressure. We were exact opposites. Ultimately we were too different for one another but it's just an example of how different people can be when it comes to choosing our path in life. Just try not to get too caught up in other peoples game and you should be fine... All said, there are trade offs, pros and cons to most everything...
-Ok, so I live on a low income. If you combine that with no debt I'm actually doing better than most I'd say. I'm able to pay for everything I need. Insurance, bills etc. and the rest goes into savings for necessities, trips etc. I also put back a little each year so I have a modest safety net if anything goes wrong. When I travel I go low budget to low midranmid range and pay attention to exchange rates and trip goals when going to Europe or more expensive countries. I budget and adjust the budget accordingly. You would be amazed how many people are traveling the world on what is considered a poverty wage in America. I call it the backpacker trail. In S.E. Asia I was staying in nice hotels for $10 a night and eating a good meal for $2 - $4.... Just an example...
-When it comes to relationships and girlfriends all I can say is there is someone for everyone. I have yet to find that someone and at this point in my life I'd admit I'm a bit dissapointed in that department. Finding the right compatible mate isn't easy for anyone. I will tell you though it really makes no difference who you are or what you do, there is always someone else out there that likes the same thing. Be whatever it is. I have a friend who met a German woman while traveling in Thailand. They are now married and live with their adopted Thai child in Colorado. They also appear to be very happy. I know super nice highly successful people in their 40's who have never been married and struggle with finding the right one as much as I do. There really is no rhyme or reason when you get right down to it. Some find their mate early in life. Some find it later. Some get divorced numerous times. Some only marry once. However, at my age it seems like almost everyone has been divorced at least once. I don't consider that to be good. A big mistake I have seen many people make is that they put their life plan to paper and expect it to all go as planned. Some women really can't help it because of an uncontrollable desire to have kids and all. The problem is that sometimes the plan takes priority over reality and the next thing you know they're married with kids and their partner is someone they really don't know because they were so busy focusing on the plan with house job and all instead of who they were really getting involved with... I do think it's very good to have a plan in life but often times you can't really put things to paper and expect it work out perfectly. Everything looks good on paper. Does that make sense? For me? I'd certainly like to marry some day but kids have never been a strong desire.
-I don't really struggle with a low income but sometimes I do wish I had a little more. I'm not comfortable taking on a mortgage alone and see it as something I'd prefer to do with someone like a wife. When you own a property its not just the mortgage but its the up keep and taxes as well. For me I'd rather save the extra for travel right now....
-Do I ever go through rough spots? Financially I always seem to have what I need. Usually not much more, but hey, if my simple needs are met I'm content.... As far as life's rough spots? Well, that's unavoidable. Your going to have rough spots in life no matter what. My philosophy is,"You can't always control what happens to you but you can choose how to react to what happens"......
-Ok, I hope this long winded ramble answers some of your questions or spurs on some new kind of positive thought..... Your just getting started in life so my advice is to go for it. As I always say," As long as your alive, you might as well live"....
Feel free to contact me with anymore thoughts or questions if you wish...
Cheers..... Todd
