Day 3: The Art of "Dropping In"

Day Three was what we hikers call a "Zero"—zero miles walked, but a mountain of work accomplished. The sky opened up, and it rained all night and day. While the trail outside turned to a roaring stream, I stayed tucked away in the "Lovebug," our teardrop trailer, listening to the rhythmic drumming on the roof.

The Lovebug Office

While Bill took a shuttle gig transporting a hiker to a trailhead near the James River, I transformed our small, warm sanctuary into a mobile headquarters. Surrounded by trail guides, topographical maps, and my planner, I began the daunting task of mapping out our first thirty days. I calculated mileages, scouted potential campsites, and coordinated the logistics that would define our next month of life in the dirt.

Goldilocks' planning tools: the AWOL Guide and her Planning Notebook. Missing from the photo is her iPhone SE Gen 3 and the Gaia App to follow the trail and note local resources along the route.

But a Zero Day isn't just about maps; it’s about maintaining the bridge to the life you left behind. Between planning miles, I was "adulting"—following up on unemployment claims and checking in with doctors. It was a strange juxtaposition, but a necessary one.

The Home Guard: A Family in Transition

As the rain fell, my thoughts drifted to the three men who call me "Mom." My decision to thru-hike didn’t shock them; in fact, I’ve been "threatening" this for years. Back in 2007, when we moved to Virginia from New Jersey, we joined Venturing Crew 247, with which we all learned how to backpack. In the following years, I would tease the boys that if my backpack ever went missing, they shouldn't look for me—I’d be hiking home to New Jersey. I was finally making good on that promise.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Grandpa "Bear" is along for the fun! This was the boys' first hike to the AT in New Jersey from Camp Taylor. It was also their first camping trip!

Seeing how they stepped up to support this "threat" coming true was humbling:

• The Architect: My oldest son, Joseph, (32) designed a support system for me. He assumed the role of family lead and teamed up with my good friend, Kim, to manage my mail and logistics from his home near Front Royal.

• The Artist: My middle son, Jason, (30) captured my journey through his own lens, creating a comic of my trail persona, "Goldilocks." Seeing myself as a character capable of the wilderness gave me a new kind of strength.

• The Athlete: My youngest son, Justin (28), a former college runner and soccer player, blew me away with his pride. He told me he was bragging to everyone about his "cool" mom—admitting I was officially "cooler than he was."

Goldilocks and the Three Bears during their Annual Family Gathering, January 2025

Skeptics and the "Three Amigos"

Of course, not everyone "got it" right away. My sister, my childhood hiking partner, was deeply worried. We didn't speak for several weeks; she thought I was dropping out of life. But as I sat in that trailer, I realized I wasn’t dropping out—I was dropping in. I was finally showing up for myself. Eventually, she understood, and perhaps even felt a spark of envy for the freedom I’d found.

On the other hand, Bill’s family—his two brothers and he are the "Three Amigos"— were all in. As ultra-runners and triathletes, they understood the call of the trail. Even his sister with her own set of physical challenges, was excited for us. They were "all-in" from Day One, and I knew I’d be seeing them on trail once all the sections were mapped out.

Closing Thoughts

By the time the sun began to set, the rain hadn't let up, but my heart had. I had a 30-day plan, a family of "Command Centers" and "Artists" behind me, and the realization that "dropping in" is the hardest, most rewarding work I’ve ever done.

Spoiler Alert: I soon realized that while a general plan is helpful, flexibility is the only way to survive the trail. It was a very good thing I wrote that first plan in pencil. My daily mileage expectations didn't always match the reality of the vertical climbs or the heat. Before long, I was erasing and re-writing the plan daily.

However, the "digital" side of my brain stayed active, too. I created a Google Sheet that I shared with my family. It became our North Star, allowing the boys and the "Three Amigos" to track our progress and coordinate exactly where they could jump in to join us. It was the perfect blend of old-school trail grit and modern-day logistics.

Goldilocks on McAfee Knob as sketched by Jason Haggerty, one of the Three Bears.