Tom (left) and Dan (right) photographed at Dicks Creek Gap along the Appalachian Trail in north Georgia
Published by Craig Corti on 6/15/2023
OTM Journal is dedicated to highlighting how others embody the Old-Timer Mindset (whether they know it or not).
Two guys were in the process of hitchhiking to town...
___
I had just completed the 3.5 hour drive from Charlotte, NC to the trailhead at Dicks Creek Gap along the Appalachian Trail (AT) in north Georgia.
My plan for the day was to catch the 10:30am shuttle I scheduled, get dropped off at another trailhead 17 miles south, and then run/hike the 17 miles back to my truck while gaining 5,000ft of elevation across the rugged chain of Georgia mountains.
___
...the young man had his hitchhiker thumb visible to cars rounding the bend, while the other man was leaning against a traffic sign.
I thought to myself, "well what the heck...I have a shuttle scheduled to arrive in the next 15 minutes and they are probably just trying to get to Hiawassee, GA".
I approached the father-son duo and asked where they were headed. I was right, they needed a food re-supply in the nearest town after their first 70 mile jaunt.
Tom (left) and Dan (right) immediately gave off an enthusiastic and optimistic energy. When asked how far they were backpacking, they said, "we have a few months off, so we'll see how far we get". That sounded like an inspirational plan to me!
They both shared stories of their previous adventures in Europe and the Philippines. They explained how the pilgrimage treks in Europe were vastly different than their experience on the AT thus far. The key difference being the logistics of tent camping and food re-supplies vs. sleeping in hostels with cooked meals in Europe.
I sensed they were excited for adventures yet to come through the "green tunnel" of the Appalachians.
On a prior trip to the Philippines, Dan had the pleasure of meeting Vogue Magazine's oldest cover model, 106-year-old Apo Whang-Od. Apo Whang-Od is recognized for keeping an Ancient Filipino hand-tapping tattoo tradition alive. To meet the artist, travelers must endure dangerous mountain roads and a steep hike.
I asked Tom and Dan what ultimately motived them to come out for an extended backpacking adventure on the AT, to which Tom replied:
"I love traveling and seeing new Places".
Dan shared:
"Life is one continuous traveling adventure". He explained that, there may be times when things aren't going great or according to plan and other times things may go well.
One thing is true, life is one continuous traveling adventure.
I really enjoyed meeting this traveling duo and I wish them continued success as they push onwards.
Stay youthful. Travel near and far. Tell stories. Express curiosity.
-Craig Corti, Old-Timer Mindset
OTM Journal is dedicated to highlighting how others embody the Old-Timer Mindset (whether they know it or not).
Two guys were in the process of hitchhiking to town...
___
I had just completed the 3.5 hour drive from Charlotte, NC to the trailhead at Dicks Creek Gap along the Appalachian Trail (AT) in north Georgia.
My plan for the day was to catch the 10:30am shuttle I scheduled, get dropped off at another trailhead 17 miles south, and then run/hike the 17 miles back to my truck while gaining 5,000ft of elevation across the rugged chain of Georgia mountains.
___
...the young man had his hitchhiker thumb visible to cars rounding the bend, while the other man was leaning against a traffic sign.
I thought to myself, "well what the heck...I have a shuttle scheduled to arrive in the next 15 minutes and they are probably just trying to get to Hiawassee, GA".
I approached the father-son duo and asked where they were headed. I was right, they needed a food re-supply in the nearest town after their first 70 mile jaunt.
Tom (left) and Dan (right) immediately gave off an enthusiastic and optimistic energy. When asked how far they were backpacking, they said, "we have a few months off, so we'll see how far we get". That sounded like an inspirational plan to me!
They both shared stories of their previous adventures in Europe and the Philippines. They explained how the pilgrimage treks in Europe were vastly different than their experience on the AT thus far. The key difference being the logistics of tent camping and food re-supplies vs. sleeping in hostels with cooked meals in Europe.
I sensed they were excited for adventures yet to come through the "green tunnel" of the Appalachians.
On a prior trip to the Philippines, Dan had the pleasure of meeting Vogue Magazine's oldest cover model, 106-year-old Apo Whang-Od. Apo Whang-Od is recognized for keeping an Ancient Filipino hand-tapping tattoo tradition alive. To meet the artist, travelers must endure dangerous mountain roads and a steep hike.
I asked Tom and Dan what ultimately motived them to come out for an extended backpacking adventure on the AT, to which Tom replied:
"I love traveling and seeing new Places".
Dan shared:
"Life is one continuous traveling adventure". He explained that, there may be times when things aren't going great or according to plan and other times things may go well.
One thing is true, life is one continuous traveling adventure.
I really enjoyed meeting this traveling duo and I wish them continued success as they push onwards.
Stay youthful. Travel near and far. Tell stories. Express curiosity.
-Craig Corti, Old-Timer Mindset
