Walking

I keep having the urge to do something crazy. Light fires in buckets, climb trees inappropriate trees, Shout poetry on street corners. But mostly it's been the thought of walking a pilgrimage of sorts. El Camino de Santiago, walk to Canterbury for giggles, or the Pennine way. But mostly, I want to chuck it all in, and take six months and walk the Appalachian Trail. I'm a bit late to start this year. The desire for survival and testing myself appeals to me.

I want to strip away all the creature comforts, worry about the basics in a real way. Where will I next sleep? Will I find fresh water, wholesome food? Will I know what to do if it all goes wrong and can I manage to live day to day? I know I can always come out of the woods, but that would be giving in to weakness.

My real issue is the being out of work for 6+ months. If I could afford that, I would be out the door in March. Saving up is the answer, though. I think a few years might be enough, provided the international move doesn't take too much out of my savings. So, April 2012 maybe. Why 2012? because it will be 100 years since the sinking of the Titanic. Seems as good way as any to pick a date to do something completely foolish and selfish.

That said, I now have two and a half years to learn to take care of myself. And how to put up a tent in the rain with out it getting too wet, among other things...