The best outdoorsy car I could have bought

I recently bought a new car.  Well, it’s a used car but it’s new to me. I traded in my F150 and got a small Honda fit. That’s right it’s a Honda Fit. Many people might find this out of character for me, but it’s perfect for my outdoors-y lifestyle,  and I’ll tell you why.

New Year. New Me.

I wanted to get in some hiking over Christmas break from school but I didn’t really feel like driving 10 hours in a weekend to go to and from Big Bend State Park. So I opted for a quick trip to Lost Maples ( Fun Fact: I took my wife here on her first backpacking trip).  On New Year’s day I went on a quick overnight hike to Lost Maples State Natural Area. It was my first overnight hiking trip since I went on that 151-day long one this summer.   I only hiked about 7 miles, but it was a strange feeling. But this post isn’t a trip review its about something that people rarely make New Years Resolutions about.

Less is more.

Since I’ve been home from the Appalachian  Trail, I’ve been busy.

I got home on a Thursday and went back to school full time on the following Monday.  I did my last drill and was honorably discharged from the National Guard.  My wife and I are expecting our first child in March, and I’m back to working at the gym part time.  Needless to say, my training schedule was not exactly at the top of my priority list.

Appalachian Trail Extra Credit.

When I was planning my trip on the AT, I scoured the internet for information, resources, and advice.  The information out there was spotty and mostly based on how the AT made them feel.  Those of you who know me well, know that this is not really my style.  I wanted to know about the physical challenges, preparation, etc., but was left somewhat lacking.  Part of that is why I decided to start this blog.  Recently, I received my first real question from a future AT thruhiker! 

The Hidden Costs of Chasing your dream

This isn’t some big “Oh look at how amazing I am, I hiked for so long, and it was so hard.”  This post is about something more amazing that happened.  While on the trail, I realized that I was slightly unlike my fellow hikers.  Sure, I was a white guy in my 20’s with a beard (the most common description of an AT hiker), but I was really the only married guy under 40.  I hiked for 5 months because I wanted to, and because my wife was on board.

The Appalachian trail: by the numbers.

My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike undoubtedly changed my life and my outlook on life. Settling back into life at home, I have struggled with finding the right words to describe how, and why, this trip affected my life (I know, it’s surprising to me too…. I rarely have trouble finding words).  So in an attempt to quantify what could be called the unquantifiable, here’s some of the concrete facts about my trip, starting with distances:

The Real Meaning of Community (Guest Author: Mollie Christiansen)

In CrossFit, we talk a lot about community.  Despite what many people might think, that is the foundation of this new sport.  People coming together from all walks of life, with different skills, experiences, strengths, and weaknesses.  People joining together to push themselves to their limit, and therefore grow, together.  A similar statement could be made about the military community:  it’s communal suffering, mutual understanding of experiences, often called “the biggest Fraternity in the world.”

Logan and I are lucky enough to be a part of both of these special “communities.”  Through them, we have made lifelong friends and lasting relationships.  To all of those people, our friends, family, and even to our acquaintances or those who with we have lost some contact,  I just want to take a moment to say THANK YOU.

Since Logan left for the trail, about 6 weeks ago now, I have felt an unprecedented outpouring of love and support from our family, friends, and even acquaintances.  Because of this, being apart has been a little bit easier.  Because of this, I continue to be in awe of my husband and this crazy dream of his.  Knowing that so many people are rooting for Logan, and for us, is pretty amazing.  Whether it’s a simple “like” on a Facebook post or blog post, a text message just to check in, or those going above and beyond to come over and cut the grass, reaching out to me to help keep me busy, (you all know who you are!), every single one of you are a part of this adventure.

THIS is a community.  It’s not just spending time together at the gym or at work, it’s people who genuinely care and are engaged in each others lives, even when they are thousands of miles away.  People who encourage and support each other, even in the smallest of ways.  Every single one of you reading this blog, or following Logan’s journey on Facebook, is a part of this community, and it’s a community of 172 people!  That’s pretty incredible.

So, for being a part of OUR community, for your support, encouragement and love, I sincerely thank you.

You pack your fears…

On this great adventure, there’s a lot of time for reflection and thinking.  I hope to use this time to come home smarter than I was when I left.  This is my first post from the trail, so I’ll share with you, my devoted readers, one thing I have learned so far:

Don’t pack your fears. 

A few days ago, well really a few weeks ago, (sorry… my wife has been slacking at the distance editing!), I was at “Neels Gap.” This is the first real outfitter and stop on the Appalachian Trail.

Pre-trail jitters.

On Wednesday, I leave for the Appalachian Trail.  All of the big boxes are checked:  I’ve taken a leave of absence from my job, (Thanks Amy and Mimi), made a deal with the devil, (Thanks Texas National Guard), and I’ve registered for classes in the fall, (Thanks Texas State University registrar).

By Thursday, I’ll be on a trip I’ve dreamed of since I was a little kid.  Dreams really do come true!

Despite all of my excitement, I’ve been having some mixed feelings about leaving.  In particular, I’m struggling with one very unfamiliar emotion. For the first time in a very long time, I’m worried. Let me explain.

Guest Post: The Flip Side of the Coin, Why I support my husband thru hiking the AT

Guest Author:Mollie Christiansen

When I tell people that my husband is leaving (in just over a week now!) to thru hike the Appalachian trail, the most common response I get is: “And you’re okay with that?” which is usually accompanied by a look of doubt, wonder and general eye rolling. Despite these many skeptic-isms, I continue to be supportive of Logan as he embarks on this adventure of a lifetime. Let me give you just three reasons why: