Contacted Bill Bryson

I wanted to share with you the correspondence I had with Bill Bryson, author of “A Walk in the Woods,” via email:

Mon, Sep 27, 2010 at 5:17 PM

Dear Mr. Bryson,

A thru-hiker once told me that not many people accomplish even one of their dreams. Your story, “A Walk in the Woods,” inspired me to turn my dream of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail into a reality. I plan on heading out in June upon graduating. Your passages had me both laughing and crying. I loved that you and Katz had bonded to a point where he was willing to trek four miles back to get your walking stick.

I have started a blog: www.trackingjill.blogspot.com to keep a record my own experience. I have begun interviewing thru-hikers so that I can better prepare myself for the trail. Mike, A.K.A, Michael J. Fox, a thru-hiker named after his celebrity lookalike, finished the trail a week ago and filled me in on hygiene, food and women. I was familiar with terms such as blue and yellow blazing but never “pink blazing” –a label given to a guy who slows his pace to hike with the girl he is interested in. This lasts as long as she pulls her hair into a ponytail and exposes her unkempt armpits.

Ever since I read your account I have been itching to learn more about your trek. Would you consider a walk “thru” your experience with me over a cup of tea? It would be an honor.


Regards,

Jillian M. Toomey

Mon, Nov 15, 2010 at 10:35 AM

Dear Jillian,

Many thanks for your message and apologies for the delay in responding, but I get a lot mail here and am always hopelessly behind.  I am afraid I am not able to meet, but I do wish you every success with your hike and hope you have a wonderful experience.

Thanks again and best wishes.

Yours sincerely,
Bill Bryson


I was so excited when I received the email from Mr. Bryson, because he is famous and I love his words and now I have his good sentiments.

That's my Bag Baby

 Today I purchased a 2 lb, 3 season synthetic mummy bag!!!

Walking-our most primitive form of transportation

Right now I am supposed to be finishing up Christmas shopping but the events that just went down at work have made it impossible to do anything but type. Today a naysayer, upon learning of my future endeavor, asked what I was doing to train for the trail. I explained that I hike when I can. As I said this he was shaking his head. “How far do you walk every day?” he asked. I joked and told him from home to work which is all but 0.1miles. He was not amused. I reiterated that I hike occasionally. Again, the head shake. “How would you prepare for the trail,” I asked. According to him I should walk two miles everyday for one month and double it every month till June. A novel idea, however with a semester left and a thru hike to fund I will be spending most of my time studying and working and hiking when I can. According to Naysayer, I need to practice walking everyday for six months in order to build the muscle I needed to carry my bodyweight for the six months I’ll be on the trail. Were we not designed to carry our own body weight? I thought. Yes, I will have a pack, which will be no more than 30lbs, however, we were designed to walk. Since when did walking, our most primitive form of transportation, become exercise? The other thing he told me was that I should walk coming down on the balls of my feet, otherwise, coming down on your heels you experience the shock up through your spine. Now there is another innovative thought…not. He said, quite confidently, “What’s gonna happen, is your feet will be hurting so bad and you’ll have so many blisters that by the time you get to Massachusetts, you’ll get off the trail.”  I assured him that I was hiking the trail in its entirety. To which he responded rather dryly, “Time will tell.” He even so boldly handed me his card and told me to call him when I get to Georgia. I know one thing, I’m going to accomplish my dream whether or not someone thinks I can do it. I’ll thank Naysayer for one thing…a post.