We all have dreams and this is one of mine
Posted on July 9, 2006 - Filed Under Uncategorized
One of my dreams is for my daughter and I to embark on a long distance hike beginning on or around 4 April 2019. (This date is ironic, as far as the whole ‘I have a dream’ thing, because it’s the day in 1968 on which Martin Luther King, Jr. was gunned down and died. Certainly, I would not suppose to attach the same significance to my dream as to his; I simply think it’s ironic that that’s the date.) On that date or sometime soon after, our lives will drastically change and different opportunities will become apparent. I want to take full advantage of that fact and this is one of the best methods I can imagine.
The trails I have in mind are the three classic American long distance trails: The Appalachian Trail, The Pacific Crest Trail, and The Continental Divide Trail. Certainly, I know there would be challenges beyond the basic one of hiking thousands of miles: A 13 year old girl and her father, alone in the woods for months; convincing Maggie’s school at the time to release her, especially at the end of the school year; seperating her from her friends and all of the trappings of being a young teenager for months; and last but not least being 45 myself and already now in possession of bad knees. It’s for all these reasons and others that I refer to this notion as a dream; it can be done and I will work for it to happen but it’s definately not a sure thing. I have reason to hope: In 1976, a 16 year old became the youngest person ever to hike the A.T. alone, which gives me reason to think that a 13 year old could do it with her father as companion; I’ve heard of kids who complete their present year’s school work from the A.T. via the internet and even make the hike a project; all kids are different and some don’t mind being seperated for a while, as long as it’s temporary; and many people have completed these hikes at ages much older than 45.
Anyway, if for no other reason, it’s good to have goals and dreams.
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As a teacher, I can ssee pros and cons to this adventure. However, as a parent of a thirteen year old girl it will take some miraculous intervention to tear her away from the age old gap of generations. Most at that age do not even admit they have parents, I guess that is a breaking off point to independence and their own existence. It`s sad but it is better at seventeen, Of course you had better keep going to p.t. and keep in shape for 49.