Return To the AT eBook | An Appalachian Trail Adventure | By Author Spiritwalker Shikata

Description

Return To the AT eBook

In 2010, my ex-wife, our young daughter, and a close friend set out on the journey of a lifetime. Our chosen path was none other than the legendary Appalachian Trail (AT), a rugged ribbon of wilderness that stretches more than 2,000 miles through fourteen states. For us, this wasn’t just a hike—it was a test of endurance, faith, and the human spirit. It was an opportunity to create personal history, and for my daughter, it was a chance to see the world through the eyes of adventure.

As seasoned hikers and former military men, my friend and I had confidence in our ability to face what the trail would bring. We were trained, prepared, and ready. My wife and I had some sense of what we were stepping into, having lived adventurous lives already, but for my daughter and my friend, this was their very first experience on the Appalachian Trail. The unknown stretched out before them—towering ridges, deep forests, unpredictable weather, and the mental grind of putting one foot in front of the other for hundreds of miles.

I recorded every step in a day-by-day journal, writing down my personal thoughts each night after we finished hiking. Those journal entries became a sacred record of our twenty-four days in the wilderness—moments of triumph, moments of fear, and moments of quiet reflection under the vast canopy of Appalachian skies. Twelve years later, I returned to those journals and transformed them into this book, so the story of our trek could finally be told.

This is Book Two of An Appalachian Trail Adventure series, and it digs even deeper than the first. While the initial excitement of stepping onto the trail is exhilarating, it is in the day-to-day grind, the obstacles, and the unexpected encounters that the true heart of the trail is revealed. This book captures the raw reality of what it means to hike the AT—not just the physical toll, but the emotional and spiritual growth that occurs along the way.

The Appalachian Trail is not for the faint of heart. Its steep ascents, rocky descents, relentless weather, and sheer distance demand everything from those who dare to walk it. It humbles even the strongest hikers, teaching them lessons about resilience, patience, and surrender. Yet, despite its challenges, the trail offers moments of pure magic—sunsets that set the sky ablaze, encounters with wildlife, the laughter of strangers who become friends, and the mysterious appearance of “trail angels” who show up just when you need them most.

In Return To the AT eBook, you’ll read about near-death experiences that tested our willpower, the hard choices we had to make, and the unexpected joys that lifted our spirits when we least expected them. From dangerous storms and treacherous terrain to the uplifting presence of both earthly and celestial “angels,” this story reveals how the Appalachian Trail doesn’t just test the body—it shapes the soul.

Every chapter pulls you deeper into the journey. You’ll walk with us as we push through blistered feet, sore muscles, and exhaustion, only to discover renewed strength in the simplest of things: a shared meal, a kind word from another hiker, or the beauty of a sunrise after a brutal day on the trail. You’ll see how my daughter’s courage grew with each passing mile, how my friend learned to face his own limits, and how my own perspective shifted as the trail revealed truths I hadn’t seen before.

The Appalachian Trail is more than just dirt, rocks, and roots. It is a living teacher. It strips away comfort and familiarity, leaving you with nothing but your own determination and the will to keep going. Yet, in that stripping away, it gives back something far greater: clarity, gratitude, and the memory of moments that will last a lifetime.

This eBook brings those moments to life with honesty and heart. It’s not a polished tale of everything going right—it’s a raw recounting of a family and friends facing the unpredictable wilderness, navigating their own struggles, and emerging forever changed. Whether it was battling relentless rain, managing limited supplies, or facing exhaustion that pushed us to the brink, every day carried lessons that reshaped us.

Alongside the hardships, there were countless blessings. We met strangers who became brothers and sisters of the trail. We found strength we didn’t know we had. We laughed under the stars, cried in silence when the weight felt too heavy, and rejoiced in the small victories that meant the world in that setting. Each of us came away from the trail with a deeper understanding of ourselves and a bond that time could not break.

For readers, Return To the AT eBook offers not only an adventure story but also an invitation: to walk with us through the highs and lows, to feel the sweat and strain, to sense the presence of something greater guiding our steps, and to be reminded of the resilience within every human heart.

If you’ve ever dreamed of hiking the Appalachian Trail, this book gives you a window into what it’s truly like—not the romanticized vision, but the real, lived experience. If you’ve already set foot on the trail, it will resonate with your own memories and perhaps inspire you to return. And if you simply love stories of courage, family, and transformation, this tale will speak to you as well.

The AT remains one of America’s hardest trails to complete, and yet it is also one of the most rewarding. With every mile, it challenges hikers to confront themselves, to grow, and to find meaning in the journey. That is the heart of this book.

Come join me, my daughter, my ex-wife, and my good friend as we “Return to the AT.” Step into our story. Walk the path with us. Feel the triumphs, the hardships, the humor, and the hope. This is more than just a hiking story—it is An Appalachian Trail Adventure.