Hello from Shelbygrl!

It all started with a tornado. But I’ll come back to that.

This week many of us watched with envy at the return to earth of my fellow Canuck, Chris Hadfield, as his shuttle hurtled towards the big blue sphere at break-neck speeds earlier last week. After tweeting endless pictures of some absolutely phenomenal sites across the globe from his vantage point in space we could only imagine the undertaking of such a trip! The months and years of planning, the last minute goodbyes, the endless drills of “what to do in case of an emergency” (hint- do NOT break glass!!) all leading up to the trip of a lifetime- just like my friends from the south.

While I gathered with the rest of the country I was being hurtled into a little tin-can-room of my own. Towards the end of the week I had been hit with what I had hoped was a case of “bad burrito” but has turned out to be stomach flu of epic proportions. I have traced every line of the tiles in my shower, counted endless sheets of toilet paper and I may have devised a new way to bring peace to the Middle East. But I digress. I now know, very intimately, the contours of my poor 1970’s toilet. And it brought me to thinking- “What will happen to these two American ‘boys’ when they (inevitably) pick up a case of Giardia on the trail?” Well, I can tell you one thing- they WON’T have to hug any forty year old ceramic throne. They’ll likely be hugging a tree. For dear life. Praying for a quick end.

The secret is out of the bag. I’m an idiot. Well I feel like one anyway! After contemplating (and preparing for) a few solo hiking/backpacking trips for this summer I happened to mention this to my friend the Idiot. And then it happened. Last week a series of twisters hit an area close to where my friend, Mark (the “Idiot”), lives and I was quite concerned about his welfare and the welfare of his family. I wrote him a note on Facebook to see how they were doing- if they were ok? I was VERY relieved to hear that they were just south of one particularly brutal storm and had been spared of any damage to their property etc. BUT, MOST importantly, all of them were fine! So, once I discovered that all was well in their neighborhood our topic of discussion landed on the newest crazy venture that the Idiot had been scheming- the tail of a trail- hiking the AT. One thing led to another, AND before I knew what I was saying, I was volunteering for that trip of a lifetime. Not that I mind the idea of a challenge (I did after all breastfeed twins!!) I quickly found myself getting giddy with anticipation. I am, by the way, a bit of an idiot myself. Or was that “idiom”? Semantics geesh!

I come from hardy stock but this week has been a bit of a challenge. Now, it’s been a long time since I’ve been hit with a tummy bug like this and I’m not too certain that it is a bug or perhaps a weird case of “buyers remorse”? It seems that every time I turn a corner and start to feel well again that I’m hit head on with another bout of “throne worship”- if you follow what I mean. I actually KNOW it’s not a case of trail jitters- I’m actually VERY, VERY excited to be going on this hike. AND I’m reeeeally looking forward to joining two AWESOME guys! I also get to meet, IN PERSON, (drum roll please!!!!) “The IDIOT”!!!! (Not that I’m NOT excited to meet Taochild TOO!!!) These guys have been champions of the blogging world and mentors to me. I hold a special connection to the Idiot as we both have a spinal cord “injury” called CES (Cauda Equina Syndrome) that affects pretty much EVERY part of our lives. Since all three of us are not exactly members of the professional hiking crowd, AND we all have various injuries, aches and pains etc., I expect there will probably be more moaning, groaning and belly-aching whining, than huffing and puffing through the greenery. I ALSO expect there to be LOADS of side-splitting laughter, moments of serious reflection, and times when all three will be leaning on each other for support as we hit those emotional highs and lows that the trail seems to elicit so easily from those passing through. Really though, it is the opportunity of a lifetime for the three of us and we are humbled and grateful for you, our readers and supporters, for joining us on our quest. It is YOUR support that encourages us to keep plodding on as we prepare. For this we thank you wholeheartedly.

Quicker than Jodi Arias can turn a guys head, I must make my way to the great white throne- AGAIN. Sigh. While I’m thankful that what I have DIDN’T come from eating at Amy’s Baking Company, the whole routine of toilet running has GOT to come to an end. SOON. It’s officially taken me SIX days to write this entire blog BECAUSE of the interruptions! THAT is NUTS!!! I’m ALSO thankful that what I have ISN’T Giardia related too! If something like this were to hit us on the trail I KNOW we are in good hands because of the Idiots and my medical training. But, I’m starting to wonder if maybe we should go to Sam’s club for some club packs of toilet paper and Immodium?? It won’t really weigh our packs down that much- will it?

ANYWAY, I’m SO honored to be welcomed to this team of great men and I’m looking forward to being the one holding the map! (Come on!! We ALL know that men don’t ask for directions when they get lost!! Besides, just WHO would they ask?? The bears in the bush???)

They might actually have a chance to make it through the woods now!! (I hope you two KNOW I’m just teasing!!…..*wink, wink* ) And once I can get over this ceramic-hugging-virus-thing I’m pretty SURE all will return to normal- whatever THAT is!! Ha ha. At this moment- and until my tummy troubles subside- I can DEFINITELY say one thing for certain, for myself-

“Houston, we have a problem!”