Paul's Boots--An Update from the Trail

The Dirtbag Diaries

Duct Tape Then Beer

Sports, Wilderness

4.8 • 2.6K Ratings

🗓️ 16 September 2016

⏱️ 15 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Last winter, we received an email from M'Lynn. Her late husband, Paul, had a dream to hike the Appalachian Trail. He never made it to the AT--but, M'Lynn thought, maybe his boots could? Maybe they could serve as a reminder for all of us to live our dreams while we can. Maybe they could go one step further and literally pull someone off the couch and onto the trail. We asked you, our community, to help us make that dream a reality. More than 400 emails poured in, from seasoned thru-hikers to first-time backpackers. We heard a resounding, 'Let me know how I can help'. We knew we were part of an incredible community, but damn. We're floored. Today, we bring you an update on the journey Paul's boots have made over the past nine months, introduce you to some of the hikers who carried Paul's boots and hear M'Lynn's reaction. Listen to the first Paul's Boots episode. Learn more about the Paul's Boots Project.

Transcript

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0:00.0	So back in January, we ask you all a favor.
0:03.1	We want to get Paul's boots down the entirety of the Appalachian Trail.
0:07.0	And we need your help.
0:09.0	So what we're gonna do is put together an Olympic Torch style relay of people to wear or carry Paul's boots down the AT.
0:16.5	If you're planning to hike the AT this year, if you've ever thought of hiking a part of AT.
0:22.0	Even if this is the first time you've ever heard of the Appalachian Trail, let's make this happen.
0:26.5	Drop us a line, hit us up on social media, send an email, give us a call, let us know. Let's make this happen together.
0:36.5	My father is training 70 this year and he's thought of leaving him at this stage in my life is very, very difficult.
0:43.5	There are many things I want to see me do before he's gone.
0:47.5	Like walking down the aisle and I'm letting her sing my future children and teaching them the same things he taught me.
0:54.5	A little over six years ago I rescued a puppy from Arkansas.
0:58.5	With his inspiration I was able to finally quick-smoking lose about 15 pounds and rediscover my love of hiking.
1:05.5	I was devastated to lose in the cancer just 40 years old.
1:09.5	You might not be able to see those things happen, which is really sad.
1:12.5	I stopped hiking for a bit and even though I got another dog I just couldn't quite get my low-chill pass.
1:17.5	I was hiking a portion of the Appalachian Trail along with accomplishing a bigger cast in myself carrying Paul's boot to be extraordinary to have him with it.
1:28.5	Paul's boot's hitting the trail was just what I needed to stop feeling sorry for myself.
1:33.5	I need to do this. My original story was one of desperation and depression.
1:38.5	I was lost as mad so I packed up my four kids and I headed out.
1:42.5	I would already be playing an Abid backfucker. My story involves lost faith, lost friends and a way off of me across me.
1:49.5	My daughters became the first Chinese born person to through hike the A-Tig.
1:53.5	I'm training for a through hike with my son in 2019 to celebrate his high school graduation.
	...

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