"I'm just an' ole lump of coal,"

"but I'll be a diamond someday."

All I need is a little heat and pressure, so for the past few years I've been making refinements. Twenty seven months ago I sat down to learn how to play the guitar, 13 months ago I decided I would quit smoking. So now I find my self in need of a new challenge to undertake, something new to shake up a life that has become comfortable and routine(not really I've been stressed out, and run ragged for the past month). So here is my new announcement.

When I was twelve I went backpacking overnight with my Boy Scout Troop on this trail called the Ouachita Trail. Over the course of the ride in, and the hike in to our camping spot I learned that the trail we were on went all the way to, Pinnacle Mountain State Park, that was a long way, we'd been in the car for an hour and a half... Well after setting up camp, the guys split off into little groups and the Scoutmaster who was in charge that weekend came over to help me put up the hammock I'd brought, and in our conversation I told him how amazed I was that the trail went all the way to Pinnacle Mountain. At this he laughed and asked who I'd heard that from and I told him, to which he responded, "Tell Tony next time to tell everybody where the trail starts too, this trail ends at Pinnacle Mountain, it starts in Oklahoma, its a 200 mile trail." My jaw dropped, and after getting back home I told my dad this and so that got him to do some research for me so I could learn more about the trail, and so about 19 years ago a 12 year old decided that one day he's gonna walk the whole thing.

Well I've decided it's time to make good on that promise I have with a 12 year old, so at some point in October, I'm gonna hitch a ride to Talimena State Park in Oklahoma, and then I'm gonna walk home. In the mean time I'm gonna take the summer and train for this, starting off slow and hiking with my camelback, and increasing the weight and distance, and then by August start Hiking mornings with a Backpackers Pack, and then by September hiking sections of the Ouachita Trail with a full pack to gauge my pace, and camping with my gear to ensure that basic needs are able to be met. Nothing is firm about my Time of departing on this adventure, if I'm not ready physically or mentally I'm not going, but the challenge for me will be the preparation, the reward will be the going.

I've been looking for something to blog about for the past month, and now this blog has something for me to babble on and on about. So come back for my postings on gear and training updates, and cool places I've found in getting out there training.

P.S. I've already started the training, and for Day One I already have a trail review For ya'll just stay tuned and I'll post it up real soon.

Stay frosty,
James