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"…I breathed deep, gazed at the mountaintops, "I have finished…"
By Dustin Jackson appalachian.jackson@gmail.com
Day 168 .9 miles
The End of the Appalachian Trail at Springer Mtn. Georgia
I woke this morning excited to finish the trail. I couldn’t wait for my parents, Becky, and her mom, Sharon, to get up to the shelter to
walk with me the last .9 miles of the trip.
I waited and waited. I went back to sleep. The anticipation was driving me crazy.
My family arrived late at 12:30 p.m. They had a flat tire before they left this
morning.
They all thought I would hike on to the top without them. No way! I was especially excited to hike to the top with my parents since they had hiked
to the top of Katahdin to begin the trail with me.
It was a clear, sunny day. Views of Georgia were beautiful. Instead of an end to my journey, I felt it was
a beginning to the next journey in my life, whatever that may be.
I was sad to leave my home on the trail, but so happy to head home with Becky. We celebrated the end of my journey popping open a bottle of champagne.
I rested my hand on the trail's last white blaze as I had touched the first back
on June 19th. My family enjoyed our time on the mountaintop.
We ended the celebration as my family hiked back down to the car. I stayed
behind for a moment.
For one last time alone, I breathed deep, gazed at the mountaintops, and told
myself,
“I have finished," and hiked down the mountain after them. The trail was finished.
Days following;
I have had no problems in going back home. I feel there is not a separation between the trail and the life I lead at home. It is a continuation of everything that I learned along the way.
Last Sunday I went back to Springer Mtn. to see my friend, 'Snacktime' aka.
'Stayin' real name Stan Seals, finish his journey.
He impressed me with his determination to complete his dream. It was so good to see him again. I haven’t seen him since Bear Mountain, NY where he hurt his knee. I finally got to meet his dad, Jerry, and his mom, Judy. They have been great supporters in my journey, too. I have made a good friend in 'Snacktime.'
Back to life; I have been pursuing the normal things in life since I got home. I bought a home since coming home. That was exciting and I feel very good about it.
I am also on the lookout for employment. I hope to discover something that will continue the growth and accomplishment I
felt on the Appalachian Trail.
I thank my mom and dad for all the endless support. They were with me every step of the way. I could not have hiked the trail without their support and love. Their true hope for me was not to just finish the Appalachian Trail, but for me
to live my dream and be happy with my life.
Words cannot express what that hope means to me.
Becky surprised me through this journey. The first day I decided to hike the trail she told me to, "go and do it for
myself."
Her support has been unwavering through lonely times. We are stronger in our life together and more confident in our love for each
other.
I thank her for the simple things like brownies and holding the family together
while I traveled through my journey.
I would like to thank Bill Derby and especially all of the staff at the News & Neighbor for covering my journey every week. I never anticipated the support I would receive from its readers. I thank everyone who gave me words of encouragement through this trip. Many readers have wanted to meet with me. I am looking forward to a reception in
January to meet everyone and answer questions about my journey.
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