Precerpt from Raising God's Rainbow Makers -- Huff and Puff on the AT
On Donnie's bucket list since he was a child was hiking the entire length of the AT. Those who did so were called thru-hikers. Donnie aimed one day to be a thru-hiker. One day came after moving to Washington DC, where I had just landed a new job and Donnie was between jobs, Perfect time to hike the trail. Shane at the time was ten, four years ahead in school, healthy, and strong. He had had a tentative relationships with Donnie, mainly bcause Donnie was big, strong, and imposing, with a bushy beard and deep voice. But, yes, he wanted to hike the trail with his Dad. The school agreed to let him have the time off (six months was the typical hiking time) since he was so far ahead and they did not know what to do with him, anyway. Thanks to his forestry training and days working for the US Forest Service, Donnie knew all the forest lore needed for a safe trip. He also knew what supplies were needed for a comfortable trip. So, off went father and son to the local version of LL Bean and...