OmPi's Adventures

Ten years worth of desire, two years of saving, and months of planning and preparing lead me to where I am right now, gate B2 of Regional Southwest Airport. I have checked my 25 lb pack that contains every bit of my housing, clothing, and gear necessary to get me on foot 2189.2 miles from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mt. Katahdin in Maine on the Appalachian Trail.

I've just said my goodbyes to my partner who will be holding down the fort back home and supporting me with all that I need in the form of maildrops, financial and most importantly emotional support along the way. Without him and the support of many friends, family and sponsors this trip would not be possible, so as I begin let me start with gratitude for each and everyone of you!

This morning I donned my Hiker Trash uniform of a Elkomando Hiking Kilt, Woolly Clothing Co. T-Shirt, Darn Tough Socks, Oboz Trail Runners and my trademark Sacred Geometry Buff. This transformation into these new clothes, these 'different' clothes made reflect what else will change and become different over the next 6 months. I am putting on a new man and my Type A planning, controlling, constantly seeking to understand, "Pi" side is going to be taking a backseat to this new free spirited, go with the flow, just being, "Om" side.

In many ways it is a return to childhood where we need very little, find joy at every new experience and are full of trust that everything is going to be ok. With the elimination of the distractions of the world and my "job description" being to simply walk, I have to wonder what will I learn, who will I meet and what adventures await me. And yet as I type this I look down and see my Mantra Band and it reminds me, "This Too Shall Pass" and so I must remember to live in this moment and take in all that it has to offer.

- OmPi (ॐ π)