Written By: Emily “Lightning” Ginger I’m in disbelief when I hear myself say, “I walked over 2,000 miles.” I’m beyond grateful that I was privileged enough to even attempt, let alone accomplish this unique experience of hiking across the United States along the Appalachian Trail. I’ve learned on many levels, more than I thought I [...]

Written By: Emily “Lightning” Ginger After journeying for so long with the Traveling Circus, the time has come for me to peel away from the group and finish the hike by myself. I am finally “hiking my own hike,” and moving forward on my own. I look forward to what the next 10 days have [...]

Written By: Emily “Lightning” Ginger I felt like I was tapping into a family treasure as I crossed Franconia Ridge in the White Mountains of New Hampshire (my father’s family has a long history of visiting this area, starting back in the 1970′s). The views from on top of the ridge were astounding and when [...]

Written By: Emily “Lightning” Ginger We haven’t had a campfire for at least a month. I believe this is due to a number of factors: we are too tired at the end of the day, it was more exciting in the beginning, the days are longer, and the weather has warmed up quite a bit. [...]

Written By: Emily “Lightning” Ginger We are currently hiking in the state of Vermont. The scenery New England has to offer has begun to remind me of what I remember from our family vacation to Acadia National Park when I was a child- dense forest, streams, ponds, rivers, lush green mountains, etc. Sometimes the ground [...]

Written By: Emily “Lightning” Ginger I’ve been enjoying living outside and being free from all the societal stresses for the past few months. Since I have always lived in a large city and have never considered living a slower paced life out in the country somewhere. However, seeing how well I have taken to being [...]

Written by: Emily “Lightning” Ginger I will never forget the day that I was dropped off on top of a mountain in Georgia- it was a foreign place that I would call “home.” I was stripped of my familiar comforts, terrified, and unable to fathom the experiences, emotions, and feelings that would come. It was [...]

Written by: Emily “Lightning” Ginger Today is our three month anniversary! I never thought I would be able to say that I lived in the woods for three months and walked over 1,000 miles during that time. It’s been such a boost to have hit our halfway milestone, and I am relieved to finally have [...]

Written By: Emily “Lightning” Ginger At home I have a large bed. I have 5 pillows on that bed; two go under my head at night and the rest just surround me. I find this arrangement very comfortable. Out here, I sleep on a very thin therm-a-rest (sleeping pad) that only accommodates my upper body, [...]

Written by: Emily “Lightning” Ginger I wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t start this entry with a shout out to the person who has shaped me into the woman I am today: My mother. As a little girl I told my mother I wanted to be a teacher. She (being a teacher) told me that [...]