Amos & Katy's Appalachian Trail Blog

Check here often for Amos and Katy's progress updates from the trail!

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Amos and Katy welcome your comments and encouragements. You can e-mail them at somasnikpoh@yahoo.com.

You may also send them a postcard:

Amos Hopkins
c/o Bet Stewart
1427 Thompson Hgts.
Cincinnati, OH 45223

I Guess It Is Not The Getting There, It's The Going

July, 18, 2006

It has been quite a while since my last blog entry. And that is because of the fact that SO much has happened. We got off of the trail in up-state New York because my feet were becoming badly injured. We stayed for over a week with a kind man (mentioned in the last entry) that allowed me to heal up a bit. Then we walked on to Connecticut, just a jump beyond. It was then that I realized how bad my injury was. To avoid something more serious, surgery, or perhaps even a permanent injury, I have decided to take care of myself and get off of the trail for good this season. Katy and I made a good go at it. But it isnt worth getting messed up over I suppose. The doctor told me back in Pennsylvannia that I risked a bad injury if I continued. Four hundred miles later, I finally betgan to believe him.

In the mean time, we have saved up money and time and were not ready to go home just yet. So, we have since decided to go up to Alaska for the fall and study totem carving again.

A week and a half ago, we took a train from NYC to Montreal in Quebec. From there we have been hitch hiking across Canada. It has been an amazing adventure to say the least. We have met some incredable folks. We stayed in a fishing camp for a while. Katy caught a huge fish, and I made a totem pole (pictures later I promise). Presently, we are riding on tour with a rock n roll band. Our plan is to hitch up to the Yukon territory and go to the Chilkoot Pass from the gold rush days. From there we will take a ferry down to Ketchikan where I used to live. I will spend the summer and fall working on carving while katy works in the theatre.

This has been a period of intense creation for me, which is what I have needed for a LONG TIME. We have been very serendipitous in meeting kindred spirits wherever we go. Someone recently told me that the world is a very small place until you try to paint it. I'm trying.

Our adventure in Canada has exceeded my expectations and ironically, I wouldnt want to be anywhere else.

I am learning that dreams change. With change comes new challenges and understanding. Katy and I are both the happiest we have been in a long time. Once again, this will have to be short (we're in a library). But I'll write soon and let you all know what happens.

Love and life,
-Amos&Katy

Good Mana

June 30, 2006

Hey Folks, I've got to make this short because I have limited time on a library computer. Katy and I are presently in Pawling, New York, about a 2 day hike out of Connecticut. My feet are really injured it seems and I have had to take a few days rest hoping that they can heal. A guy in town has taken us in and allowed us to stay at his home. He is very generous and a good spirit. His father is a very well known artist in NYC and actually went to Black Mountain College back in the 40's (with such alumni as Jackson Pollock, Robert Raushcenburg, John Cage, Charels Bukowski, etc). His studio is right there behind their home and he has TONS of amazing paintings and sculptures laying around everywhere.

I am somewhat worried about my feet and hoping that a few days rest is what the doctor ordered. Hoping to be back up and running in a couple days after much rest, ice, and massages from Katy (thanks in advance Katy).

It is a hard balance, to know whether I should try to push through and risk further injury, or know when to get off of my feet. This whole "listening to my body" thing is somewhat new. Anyways, I'm still feeling positive about things and am looking forward to hitting the trail again soon. In the mean time, I cant believe how blessed and fortunate we have been to meet such iunteresting and wonderful people on this trip.

Good mana I suppose and getting lots of inspiration.
More later!
-Amos Hopkins

In Wildness is the Preservation of the World

June 16, 2006

Hey Folks!
We are in the Delaware Water Gap now, which is right on the border of New Jersey. Pennsylvannia has been a rough state (something like 150 miles?). The trail up here is famous for its knife edge rocks that tear up hikers' feet, cause twisted ankles and more. The culture changes drastically once you cross the Mason-Dixon line. Suddenly every town that we walk through has 5 times as many pizza places!

The forests in PA are the best I've seen yet with ridgelines that extend for days that are covered with blankets of lush ferns and bright green foliage. Katy and I have been cautious bnecause there are many rattlesnakes and copperheads in the this region and a couple of our fellow hikers have almost gotten bit. Still, the best is yet to come as Ive heard that New Jersey has more black bears per square mile then any other place on the A.T.

We are presently in the Delaware Water Gap and we have taken a "zero day" (zero mileage) at the Church of the Mountain Hostel. It is situated in the basement of a beautiful little mountain church that boasts one of the friendliest congregations that I have ever met. Yesterday the community came together to feed the many trail-weary hikers that have collectively wandered into their town for respite. They've made us feel very welcome and have reminded me some of the better things that we are walking the trail for.

Today we will finally walk into New Jersey. We have hike over 270 miles now. Soon, I am hoping that the aches and pains will become more routine, but I fear that they will be just another thing to endure.

We have made many great friends while hiking the trail. They come from many places including Hawaii, England, Canada, and even Michigan. (Kidding) I love to hear about some of the more profound reasons why people walk the trail. However, when people ask me why I have decided to walk such a distance, I almost feel like the answer goes without saying. "Because, it's there!" (eloquent words from the late Sir Edmond Hillary)

We have been on the trail for almost a month now. And I have learned that to truly know one's self, is to know one's self in the wild. The smells are becoming normal. We get used to sharing our space with wild animals and insects that gladly introduce themselves to us. I feel more at home on the top of a mountain then I ever have in a house in the city. In simplicity, I feel more complete then I have in a long time!

"In Wildness is the preservation of the world. Every tree sends its fibers forth in search of the Wild. The cities import it at any price. Men plow and sail for it. From the forest and wilderness come the tonics and barks which brace mankind."
-Henry David Thoreau

We miss you!
One Step at a Time,
-Amos Hopkins & Katy Graves
aka "Mowgli and Covergirl" (trail names)

If You Want to Know Where You Come From, You Must Wander Out of Your Own Back Yard

June 4, 2006

Hey Folks!
So we are half way through Pennsylvania already and I understand that the topography starts to get much more steep after the town we are in right now. It has been two weeks since we started the trail. I have been experiencing what is commonly known as "Trail buzz". I have always had a part of me that is at home with the woods, the mountains, the animals, and the open trail. It feels that this part of me has been reawakened after a year of the indoors. I am in total bliss! Things have been great although, I have had some pretty severe foot problems.

After limping about 50 miles through Maryland, I finally had to break down and see a doctor in PA that diagnosed me with plantar fasciitis (sp?). Apparently the tendons in my foot are separating from the bone. It sounds yucky and it is, but I'm still limping on. Mornings are the toughest when my legs and feet are severely inflammed, but I get them stretched back out throughout the day. The trail has been such a joy that I cant let myself miss out merely because of foot trouble.

Part of what has kept me going has been the curiosity of each oncoming day. Also, because I am so darn stubborn!

As is the custom on the Appalachian Trail, Katy and I have already earned our "Trail Names". Hers is "Cover girl" because I discovered that she has been hoofing cosmetics in her back pack to wear along the trail!

Funny, I guess what ever makes you feel more human when you re covered in dirt sweat and grime is a good thing (I myself am in need of a serious shave). I earned the name "Mowgli" from the jungle book. Its because of my love of tree and rock climbing. Every night we hang food bags up in the trees that will hopefully be out of the reach of bears. I have been known to climb the unclimbable while using a reverse-belay technique with the rope attached to the heavy bags while bumping the bag up the tree using my head! It sounds silly I guess because it is.

We have met some amazing people on the trail. Each person has a different reason for taking on this rather daunting undertaking. The most interesting people are usually older (perhaps because they do the trail for more profound reasons).

Last night we wandered into a town for a hot meal and a bed and ended up playing music at a local establishment. It has been so amazing to see America through the geography, history, and local culture that adorns the trail along the way. It is so different then seeing it through a windshield. At the end of the day, it reminds me, that if you want to know where you come from, you must wander out of your own back yard.

Tomorrow, the trail starts to go up into real mountains. The easy part is over. But my excitement gets me out of bed every morning, ready to face the day with a fierce desire to see what is around the next corner. I miss you all! If anyone is interesting in sending us letters or postcards (a true delicacy when youre away from home) please send them to:

Amos Hopkins
c/o Bet Stewart
1427 Thompson Hgts.
Cincinnati, OH 45223

She'll make sure we get them.

One Step at a time,
-Amos Hopkins & Katy Graves (aka Mowgli and Cover girl)

p.s. Check out the trail blogs that are being updated continually:

www.uacvoice.org

www.visionariesandvoices.com

p.p.s. here it what Katy has written about our latest jaunt:

Hi all!
Well, like I said, chipmunks are not bears, although when they rustle the leaves in their cute little chipmunk ways they SOUND like man eating beasts and make me run screaming in the opposite direction. Actually, from what we hear, the bears won't get crazy until we get to New Jersey and that won't be for another couple weeks, so I'll let you all know if we get attacked.

Anyhoo, we've been happily traipsing along, getting up to about 14 miles a day, as long as our feet are holding out. We've had some problems with our feet, especially Amos, who has something called plantar faciatis(sp?) where basically his plantars tendon is tearing....mmmm...yum. Anyway, we went to a podiatrist who told us to get off the trail and when we refused he told us to get new shoes. So here with are in Duncannon, PA with new kicks and all the problems that go along with breaking in new stiff hiking shoes. We spent my birthday in Boiling Springs, PA at a crazy bed and breakfast stuck in a time warp and run by a lady named Kitty, who yelled at me for "VIOLATING THE CLEAN BATHROOM!" (I really had to pee and the other bathroom was occupied-so shoot me.) Anyway, it was a memorable way to mark my 25th year. A great birthday despite the psycho inn owner.

So now we are getting into the very rocky parts of Pennsylvania and are somewhat worried what it will do to our already hurting feet. We stayed at this awesome hotel called The Doyle last night, which caters to hikers and charges something riduculous like 14 dollars a night and serves a mean plate of fried chicken. Its really great to be a part of the thru hiker culture and (mostly) everyone has been really kind to us. Yesterday after hiking about 12 miles up and down rocky mountains we came across a cooler filled with candy for thru hikers and just a little bit further was another cooler filled with ice cold juice! This was a wonderful bit of trail magic, courtesy of Trail Angel Mary, a local women known for her random acts of kindness to thru hikers. Today, in fact, she is driving us over 20 miles to an outfitters store, so Amos can get a new sleeping bag! We have been really blessed to have met many Trail Angels along the way who have helped us out with free rides and such. Good Karma coming their way, for sure!

Its been awesome to see these little bits of America as we travel through these small mountain towns. After so much travelling abroad, it nice to expand your understanding of your own country and culture.

So my final thought this week is a reminder to all of you who may have forgotten: The outdoors smells like wildflowers and it doesn't get much sweeter than that, so get outside this summer and take time to stop and smell the sunshine and lovliness!

Love and Happy Trails!

Katy and Amos aka Covergirl and Mowgli

With Happiness, Everything is Possible

May 19, 2006

So it is our last day in Cincinnati. Our backpacks are full to the brim, and are heavy enough for me to imagine the blisters on the bottom of my feet which will be appearing soon. We slept in late knowing that this would be the last time we sleep in a bed for a long time. It so strange to think that we'll be sleeping on the ground for the next 6 months. I cant express how excited I am, but there is still a lingering feeling of trepidation. I know that we will have a physically grueling time at first. But it will be amazing none-the-less.

Here is what I expecting to get out of this expedition:

I hope to commune with nature, become more familiar with my ancestral place of origin, learn more about myself without the influences of consumer culture (everything out there must have a viable function or its not worth the weight in the back pack), become even closer with my girlfriend, learn more about my goals in life, bring more spirituality into my life, and to learn to take things "one Step At a Time" so to speak.

To actually finish this hike of 2,175 miles, It takes strategy. The physical aspect of our strategy is tied in greatly with proper nutrition, pacing, and taking care of ourselves and each other. We both have a lot learn in these areas, especially me probably. I am more of a "jump in head first and bite off more then I can chew" kind of guy. I will be the one pushing (or pulling) us down the trail, while Katy will be the one keeping the pace.

Then there is the mental or psychological aspect that is even more daunting. How do we keep ourselves from becoming discouraged, overwhelmed, impatient, or even worse becoming bored? My theory is that it is all about having the right attitude. As we go on this trip it will be our responsibility to make sure that we keep ourselves and each other happy. With happiness, everything is possible. Already this seems like a great thing to master which will benefit us for the rest of our lives.

Of course we are both pretty happy already. But I seek the mechanics of happiness. How often are we conscious about enjoying the finest things in our life? Sometimes it just happens. Other times we forget. My guess is that it is even greater if we make it a priority. While we hike, we will have PLENTY of time for thinking, pondering and practicing. Our happiness is like a garden right? We need to give it the proper ingredients for growth.

While we hike this trail, and I leave these periodic entries, I will talk about the culture of local areas, history, what is going on with us and our trip, and also what is happening with our charities. The truth is, I felt a bit guilty about going out into the woods for 6 months just for self indulgant purposes. These charities will make a huge impact if and when we raise enough money. I guess I will be thinking of the possibilities for the next 6 months.

Today we are leaving for Harper's Ferry West Virginia. It is a beautiful little town. I've always wanted to go there. We've got a friend driving us out there. Our plan is to eat a big huge steak dinner, drink way too much beer, and hit the hay for an early start on Saturday.

I'll send another update soon. Wish us luck!

One Step At a Time,

-Amos

Send an e-mail to Amos and Katy.

Urban Appalachian Council
2115 West Eighth Street • Cincinnati, Ohio 45204 • phone: (513) 251-0202 • fax: (513) 557-2542