FOCUS, Adams: Headed out to hike the Appalachian Trail … again

Editor’s Note:  It’s always been our dream to hike the Appalachian Trail. (No Mark Sanford jokes, please.)  But South Carolina’s Jerry Adams, a former newspaper reporter, television personality and school district spokesman, is headed out to do it again.  In the weeks ahead, we’ll feature commentary periodically about this trip by the grasshopper (that’s Jerry’s “trail name”) and you can live vicariously through his travels.

By Jerry Adams, March 2, 2019  |  Tonight I camp atop Springer Mountain in Georgia. Tomorrow, I begin the Long Walk to Maine, a 2,192-mile backpacking adventure. Again

Adams

The “why” of the whole thing has been rattling around in my 68-year-old brain since I decided three months ago that another backpacking trip from Georgia to Maine was absolutely the right thing to do. So it begins…

A schoolmarm friend wrote Tuesday asking me how her fifth-graders could follow me on the trail. They wanted to send me messages and hear about my travels. They wanted to know why I was doing this.

Great question. Yes, it’s about five million steps from Georgia to Maine, but that’s the attraction – a wonderful journey through winter, spring and summer, and across 14 states. It’s not the impossible dream.

Short answer. It’s because I am blessed and because I can – or believe that I can. Why? Why not!

Eight years ago, I left Springer in  April and capped a remarkable six-month adventure by hitchhiking home from Maine to Mount Pleasant.  I worked the next five summers as an AT Ridgerunner, spending five days a week in the forests of New Jersey, keeping an eye on the trail community and helping out where needed. Between 2011 and 2016, I spent six seasons in the woods, hiked about 3,000 miles and spent about a year’s worth of nights sleeping in a tent.

Simply put, it’s in my blood. As John Muir put it, “The mountains are calling, and I must go.”

The Appalachian Trail has also been the canvas for a remarkable spiritual journey.

“Patience, grasshopper. And trust in the Lord thy God.”  That is my mantra, and I hike (and live a wonderful life) thanks to his Amazing Grace and in thanks for His forgiveness and sacrifice. That’s the Good News that continues to inspire me, and, I hope, to live my life in a loving way that helps and inspires others. I leave Springer on Sunday, thanks to His saving Grace and knowing that He walks with me every step of the way.

The drudgery of life was getting to me last fall. After 18 steady and enjoyable months of retail sales at Dillard’s, I needed and began praying on the idea of another Appalachian Trail hike.

The idea also pleased my doctor (happily.) He told me at my physical last fall that I looked great and that it looked like I had turned back the calendar 10 years. Wow.

So, I thank the Lord for the way the dream has played out. To do the hike meant giving up my job and my apartment in Charleston, putting possessions in storage and finding a home for my cat, Missy.  In October, I drove 200 miles to Pendleton with my friend, Lewrie, to help him scout his possible move to a farmhouse here. What worked for him also worked for me. He moved here in January, and I followed a month later, bringing Missy along and living happily here as I make final preparations for the hike.

Fully loaded and ready to go.

Final preparations. Also known as “getting my affairs in order.” Hmmm, that has an ominous ring to it, doesn’t it? So many people dream of adventures, but can’t quite yet for all those “life” reasons. So many others have their own struggles and look for reasons to just walk around the block; more still seem to have just given up.

I am inspired by many. And I realize that my long walk will inspire others.  I also realize that life – like the Appalachian Trail – has its ups and downs, just like mountain footpaths. It’s really hard sometimes, but I know that if you believe in yourself and press on, you’ll find that the valleys and the mountains are equally amazing. Oh, and remember to breathe in, breathe out. Repeat. And look up and around; not at your phone.

Lewrie inspires me. His love for the Lord and work in His name has helped me and thousands of others. Pushing 80, he is still steeped in Bible study and in helping others serve God. He helped lead me to the Lord and he is now being reinvigorated by renewing old friendships and leading others to love the Lord.

I’m also inspired by so many folks my age and older that I’ve met while working retail. Folks in their 80s and even 90s are still strong and active, happily walking the mall and loving life.

And, of course, I am awed by my brothers at Mepkin Abbey, including friends who dedicated their lives to the Lord before I was born and give their all to the monastic life. I’m hiking for Brother Vincent and Brother Joseph, two of many whom I love and who are sources of daily inspiration. My 40 days with the brothers in 2012 was as difficult and remarkable as my six months in the woods in 2011.

So how to I ‘splain myself to a class of 5th graders? What do I tell them?

I’m doing this because I dream big and believe in myself, even when it isn’t easy. Keep dreaming and believing in yourself and others. Work hard, remember to breathe, love others as you want to be loved. Oh, and honor your father and mother.

A few summers ago, I camped with a group of middle-schoolers and their teachers.  They were out on a wilderness weekend “graduation” hike for their school, which has an environmental curriculum. I marveled at their teamwork as they worked together to set up their tents and get ready for dinner.

Their “reward”? They would get to lead kindergarten kids on a day hike, sharing the outdoors with younger boys and girls. They all are learning to love and respect the outdoors, and that’s a wonderful thing.  Happy Trails. I’m going hiking.

You can keep up with Jerry’s exploits on Facebook here or on his blog at https://at-grasshopper.com/

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