The five and a half hour ride from my home to the start of the trail was draining to say the least.  Anxiety built as time progressed but mostly because I just wanted to start already.  Waiting in the car fueled the desire to start, which in turn increased my expectations for the trail.

By the time we actually arrived, I thought the whole trip was the biggest deal in the world.  I've been told by others for months that this is going to be a huge undertaking and will change my life forever.  Having these ideas nearly cemented in my mind deluded me into thinking that the moment we began hiking, I would instantaneously see the world differently.  That was anything but true.

Once on the trail, I was waiting for quasi-profound thoughts to rush to my head like what usually happens in my idle time.  But nothing came.  First hour, second hour, nothing.

Turns out that this hike, though large in scope, really isn't anything that special.  So far, I've had a couple exciting ideas pop into my brain, but nothing like I was expecting.  Really this feels like I'm just crossing another bridge in the life of Ostin, but I'm glad I'm doing it nevertheless.