A Trail Life
  • HOME
  • BLOG
  • HIKING
  • RECIPES
  • DIY
  • ABOUT US

Big Changes

8/7/2012

16 Comments

 
Friends, we have so much to fill you in on.  The past week hasn't had much hiking because we have been letting Rooney heal up and taking a few days to enjoy NYC with friends.  Tomorrow we head back out to the trail, but not to the AT. 

I'll wait a minute while you process that.  Heck, I'm still processing it. 

For a number of reasons we won't be hiking the AT any further this year.  It's a combination of things from money to schedule to work and everything in between.  It basically boils down to this: we have one month of hiking left before we need to return to our lives. 

So we weighed three options for how we wanted to spend this month.  Option 1 was to shuttle up to the Whites in NH and hike to Katahdin.  Option 2 was to hike from MA to VT.  Option 3 was to do a totally different trail.

We picked option 3 and we're really excited about it.  Of course we have mixed emotions about leaving the AT and I already miss it, but I'm not one to dwell on a decision and question it.  I'd rather be positive and focus on the adventure in front of us.

Ok, ok, so you probably want to know what that adventure is.  Drumroll... the Great Allegheny Passage.  It's a rail to trail line that runs from Pittsburgh to Washington DC and is about 330 miles total.  We actually crossed this trail on the AT and it caught our eye.  We made a note to hike it one day...we just didn't think it would be today!  But there are a lot of positive aspects that just made it appealing to us.

It's incredibly flat so it will be gentle on Rooney while he is finishing out his meds and will allow us to log more miles each day. 

It's closer to Chicago and will be easy to get home from in Sept. 

It's near plenty of towns so I can be looking for work and possibly interviewing along the way.

We will get to hike the full trail in one shot.  It's not easy to give up on our goal of an AT thru hike and thru hiking this trail gives us a different goal to work towards. 

So that's our big news.  I hope you guys can continue to support and love us like you have through our AT hike.  It wasn't a decision that we made lightly and we truly think it's the best choice for all 3 of us.  We are proud of what we accomplished on the AT...1300 miles and 8 states.  Once we complete the Allegheny it will be over 1600 miles and five months of hiking this summer.  Not too shabby! 

I'll continue to post updates here and keep in touch like we did on the AT.  Until then, we appreciate you all and hope you're enjoying your summer as much as we are. 

Much love.

~Minutes, Serial and Rooney
16 Comments
Aunt Judie
8/7/2012 09:48:01 am

Glad to hear Rooney is on the mend. So proud of the three of you see you soon

Reply
Jill link
8/8/2012 01:02:44 am

Thanks so much! We're grateful that he is ok and we're really looking forward to seeing everyone when we get home!

Reply
Karen Morrison
8/7/2012 11:42:31 am

Hi guys! Thank you for continuing to share your trip with us...and all the challenges that go with it! We want you to know that we continue to send our love and support and positive thoughts! Best wishes for this latest adventure. If there is anything we can do to help you along the way, you know how to find us! Stay strong and hugs to you all! lotsa love, Geo and Karen

Reply
Jill link
8/8/2012 01:04:43 am

I don't know what it is, but we just cannot get enough of PA!! I think you and Geo showed us too good of a time because we came back and decided to see the whole damn state! :-) In all seriousness though, we are really appreciative and grateful for the support and love you guys have given us. Thank you doesn't cover it. :-)

Reply
Tori
8/7/2012 11:56:34 am

I hope y'all have a great experience this last month. Love you.

Reply
Jill link
8/8/2012 01:05:28 am

Love you too, girl. Big hugs to all three of you.

Reply
Gypsy
8/7/2012 03:09:02 pm

Remember what we talked about:) It's all good, I love you, and I'm proud of ya'll! Still a huge accomplishment!!

Reply
Jill link
8/8/2012 01:06:16 am

I often think about our talks and your words have been so helpful to me. I'm grateful to have you in my life!

Reply
L
8/7/2012 10:21:14 pm

I am so proud of you! 1600 miles? Really? In one Summer? That is fabulous! I love that you are doing the Great Allegheny Passage--starts in our homeland--western PA :) It will be a beautiful hike. I am so glad the Roonster is feeling better. We are here for you if you need anything. Enjoy this month of hiking! BTW: I want to come and visit you in Chicago!

Reply
Jill link
8/8/2012 01:08:44 am

The ever supportive and positive L!! What would I have done without your glowing energy and homemade goodies along the way?? I'm excited to check out the PA and make the most of this month. But then, YES you should absolutely come to Chicago!! We would have the most amazing raw/vegan, music-filled, dance party adventure!

Reply
Uncle Jack
8/8/2012 01:58:14 am

1600 anything is huge ... let alone miles hiking! Congratulations! I'm impressed!!! So get Rooney healthy (he'll need four good ones if he's going to chase a Chicago Cab). Enjoy the Great Allegheny Passage and then hot-tail it back home to Chicago. It'll be great to have you all back.

Reply
Jill link
8/16/2012 02:21:59 am

Thanks, Uncle Jack! I can't wait to see you guys!!

Reply
Kelsie
8/8/2012 02:04:34 am

Adventure is adventure, no matter the trail you are on! Congrats on all you've accomplished so far and best of luck on your last month of hiking.

Reply
Jill link
8/16/2012 02:22:47 am

Thanks, Kelsie! All three of us appreciate the support!

Reply
The Dports
8/9/2012 11:56:26 am

Congrats Jill, Terry, and Rooney!
You have accomplished so much and have done something that will always be a great adventure! It was memorable for me to teach my students about your great adventure and every adminastrator loved hearing about Jill, Terry, and Rooney on the AT. Sorry Jill and Terry but Rooney was their favorite part of the conversation. Always telling anyone who came in what Rooney needed to do to stay well on the trail! Congrats again!
Love,
The Dports

Reply
Jill link
8/16/2012 02:25:02 am

Dports!!! To be honest, when I first read this I was all "who are the Dports??" haha. Rooney is everyone's favorite - we get stopped no less than 5-10 times a day to answer questions about him. People always want to pet him and know what's in his pack. Terry and I are used to being second best! Much love to the west coast. I miss you!!

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Update!  Life has become busy in a great way, so we don't have a lot of time for blogging these days.  We've left the site up as a reference, and we do check our blog emails whenever we can, but we are no longer actively posting or commenting.  Thanks for understanding and have a wonderful day! 

    Stay In Touch

    feed-32x32
    facebook-32x32
    twitter-32x32
    pinterest
    instagram-32x32
    Follow on Bloglovin

    About US

    Picture
    I'm a Chicago girl who loves the outdoors and everything DIY.  He's an Appalachian Trail thru-hiker and addicted to nature.  Follow us as we share our experiences with home projects, recipes and hiking with our energetic Weimaraner, Rooney.

    Popular Posts

    Picture
    DIY Crate Coffee Table
    Picture
    Making Kombucha Tea
    Picture
    Gear Lists - Hiking the AT
    Picture
    Hiking 1,000 Miles with Rooney

    Instagram

    Grab  Button


    Serial's Other Sites

    Picture

    Categories

    All
    2012 Section Hike
    Appalachian Trail
    Asheville
    Blue Ridge Parkway
    Chicagoland Parks
    Diy Project
    Fitness
    Giveaway
    Hiking All
    Hiking All
    Hiking Gear
    Hiking Numbers
    Hiking Qa
    Hiking With A Dog
    Home Life
    Home Tour
    Jill's AT Journal
    Kitchen Gadgets
    Link Up
    Pic Of The Day
    Product Reviews
    Recipes All
    Recipes Breakfast
    Recipes Cheeze
    Recipes Gluten Free
    Recipe Sharing
    Recipes Juicing
    Recipes Main Dish
    Recipes Milk
    Recipes Pulp
    Recipes Raw
    Recipes Snack
    Recipes Sweet Tooth
    Recipes Vegan
    Recipes Vegetarian
    Rooney
    Running
    Serial Hiking
    Sponsors
    Weekly Workout
    Woodworking

    Archives

    July 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.