How quickly I find myself settled into stability again.

And here I am, as the rains subside, about to give it up later this morning for the uncertainty of the open road.

I’m nearly 4,000 miles into this, and I have to admit that I still encounter nervous pangs when it comes to trading off in-town stability for the unknowns of the open-road.

I’m going to bed late and will be up in a few hours.

Once I start packing my stuff again, any nervous jitters will quickly begin to fade. The most debilitating part is almost always the thought of the hardships I may face. The thoughts of walking hundreds of miles through thick forests, open deserts, plains and wetlands was far more intimidating than actually moving 100% forward into each of the challenges. Once I start moving forward, despite any and many difficulties, no matter how intense, I always find my way through. This attitude brought me all the way here today, and I’ll step right back into this “thought suit” as I return to the road.

Walking across America is about 99% mental. While it’s true that one needs working limbs to embark on a transcontinental pilgrimage, it’s the focus and devotion of the mind that carries one forward.

Nervous jitters basically just signpost to me that I’m slightly out of rhythm. Simply writing about this helps to pull me back to the more strongly centered state of mind necessary to carry me forward.  I feel strength and optimism now returning as I prepare to get back out there on the open road, for a challenging week’s miles through the rest of the state of Georgia. I’m excited. Can’t wait. Here we come!!