I bought Dave “AWOL” Miller’s The A.T. Guide and Jackie “Yogi” McDonnell’s Yogi’s Continental Divide Trail Handbook. I also bought Lawton “Disco” Grinter’s Walkumentary, Southbound on the CDT DVD. I’m trying to decide if I’m doing the AT or the CDT. The AT is more social (more people), more tree-covered, and physically challenging. The CDT is less people, better scenery, but requires more hiking and orienteering smarts. What to do? What to do? Originally I wanted to do the CDT next, but I’ve been considering the AT because it’s closer to our friends on the East Coast, Kathy might visit more [doubtful], and it’s shorter – 2100 miles. However I’m getting older and I’m worried that I only have a few years to do this hiking and I’d better do the longer (3000 miles) harder CDT first.

Although I slept in until I woke naturally at about 7 AM, I filled up my pack with some weight, drove down to Lady Bird Lake, and hiked 10 miles as practice. It wasn’t easy, but I completed it drenched in sweat at about 11:30 AM. Now tomorrow may be a different experience both trying to find a trail and handling the stiffness that I’m sure I’ll have tomorrow.