Welcome Home.

Welcome to Following Thru, a blog my mother encouraged me to create in order to share our newest endeavor. Last month, while visiting my mom, a local hot air balloon festival was taking place. My daughter spotted the first balloon out my parent's picture window early Sunday morning. As luck would have it, one of the balloons had to land right across the street from their house, in the neighbor's yard. My mom expressed her interest in riding in one... she said it was on her "bucket list." You know what I mean... the list of things you want to do in your lifetime. So, mom and I walked over to the balloon and we finally worked up the courage to ask to go up. We both got in the basket and up we went... not too far up, we were still being held down by the crew on the ground, but we could see the tops of the houses. It was a thrilling Sunday morning, to say the least. After coming down from that "high," my mom asked if I had any interest in backpacking part of the Appalachian Trail with her. Once again, she said it was on her "bucket list." I've always enjoyed camping, although, I admit, I'm not much of an active outdoorswoman. I was intrigued and said sure, why not. Once I was home, I started my research on what I had gotten myself into. This blog will serve as a journal of our research, preparations, and adventures that will lead us to the AT.