Heyoooo,
It is my tremendous honor and pleasure to announce that we did it. A few mornings ago, SpiceRack and I squelched the final few steps to the southernmost point in the contiguous United States, wrapping up a mighty journey that spanned so much distance and time that even the middle of it is remembered in blurry flashes like a dream rather than with the clarity of reality.
Salt water splashed over a low seawall as we waited in a short line to put our hands on the humongous concrete buoy that stood with an unquestionable permanence at the edge of the map. It was the southern termius of the ECT, sure, but we didn’t need it to know that we’d reached the end. A boat bobbd on the rippled sea beyond, and there was no more land in that direction that I could see. The causeways had run out, and Cuba was very far away. This was the end, symbolic concrete buoy or no. It made for a good photo opp, though. Bright sunshine poured a melted glare on the thick layers of striped paint as we approached and posed for photos. And forget the middle of this hike, these final few minutes were a blur!
When we finished, we sat and watched the groups of well-dressed strangers celebrate their own pilgrimages with exuberant pictures of rested smiles held unnaturally long, framed by styled hair and frilly sundresses. The lighting improved and our nerves settled, so we got back in line to say hello and goodbye again. And again. In Spice’s words, like kids lapping a rollercoaster, we looped back to soak in the moment just one more time, to snap another better photo, then another. Finally, we pulled ourselves half a block away, safe from the hubbub and questions about our hike. But as I looked back to the monolith, I couldn’t remember how it felt, smooth or rough, warm or chilled. Maybe I just wasn’t ready to say goodbye. I dragged an understanding Spice back, and for the final time we rested our palms and stretched our fingers on the ECT. The final goodbye. Conceptually, I comprehended that our footprints traced an invisible line from this spot all the way to Cap Gaspé in Quebec, but that truth was too cumbersome and emotionally loaded for my heart to grasp. Instead, it remained guarded, dipping just a single toe in the silent roil of emotion. Sadness, elation, and everything in between mixed below the surface, outmatching my feeble human logic’s ability to make sense of it all. However, as confused as I was, joy bubbled above all else. The smile that gleamed from my shaggy beard was certifiably authentic, and seeing the same on Spice’s sunkissed face brought me peace. The miles hadn’t been easy or straightforward, but we made it. We’d walked the entire length of the ECT, the whole enchilada.
When we stepped away from the buoy for the last time, I still didn’t remember the texture, but that final touch was the intentional sendoff that I needed. A year-plus of living on the ECT, and years more of dreaming about it — this trail, that lighthouse, this buoy — made this arguably the most significant achievement of my life, on or off trail. It was worth the extra few minutes to give the ending it’s due, for us, for me, for the trail, and for the pioneers who dreamed it up. The ECT, damn, what a ride.
Since We Last Spoke
The final count puts our hike on the ECT at roughly 4,842 miles. That’s a huge number, larger than either Spice or I expected when we got serious about this grand traverse of the eastern landscapes and cultures. And even that number, eye watering as it is, doesn’t do this trek justice. Lost in the mileage total is the true value of a journey that spans a multitude of latitudes, time zones, elevations, ecosystems, cultures, and communities. Spice and I saw so much that we didn’t expect, that we couldn’t have imagined. Documented already are the treasured moments of the first 147 days on the ECT. Now add to those the majestic comfort of deep breaths amid the longleaf pine forests of Alabama, standing where the Appalachians rise from the loamy flatlands on Flagg Mountain, the humongous live oaks arcing like whales frozen mid-breach along the Suwanee River, the ancient wisdom of bald cypresses that has forever improved my perception of swamps, swimming in the crystal clear waters of Ocala springs, and sampling a wide selection of boiled peanuts, the delicacy of the south. We are even kind of maybe used to seeing congregations of inscrutable alligators peering at us from the water; they are as primally disturbing as predators come. The ECT south of Springer was awesome, no doubt about it. Wildly different from the trail north through Quebec, it was stranger and more wonderful than we could have hoped for. It could just be the Stockholm syndrome speaking, but we love Florida now. Didn’t see that one coming.
Obviously, this blog dropped off the priority list as the cold and short winter days sapped what little energy I had left after long days of hiking. That’s too bad, but it’s what needed to happen. So here I am, trying really hard to write concisely about 2,000 miles of infinitely varied hiking. The physical and emotional landscapes seen and experienced over the past four months will provide food for thought for as long as I have the energy to consider them. While I have no intention of pumping out a daily account of this time, I am itching to share the magic of the route in some form or another. Perhaps with section overviews, or through sharing specific stories. For many reasons, I feel that shaking up the format of this blog will be good for me, and I am confident that while daily details will be glossed-over or forgotten, the payoff will be worth it. The most fruitful work begins now that the hiking is done. Time to rest the feet, crack the knuckles, and stretch the mind.
Thank You
Finally, thank you to everyone. Whoever you are, however long you’ve been with us, whether you’ve commented, contacted, donated, or not, I appreciate you. Writing is hard, especially using a phone in a tent with miles left to hike, but I love it. In the process I learn so much, and the reflection is always worth it. I am grateful for what I have learned about myself through writing about my hiking, turning the largely mundane physical movement into jewels and nuggets of profound personal truth. I have put a lot into this blog, and it returns so much more. By being with me, you are a part of this process and so deserve a part of the credit and my thanks. So again, thank you.
More to come, but for now,
Peace,
Owen
Hike For Days 
Was wondering about you! I have so enjoyed your journey(s) and blogs; you write so well, I feel I have been with you. Thanks for the journey. In a previous time and younger days I desired to thru-hike. But alas… oh well. Keep writing! Your insights are fruitful for others.
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Congratulations on completing such a mind-boggling and body-punishing trek! While I’ve missed the daily updates, your reasoning for not sharing them is totally understandable and respected. Just glad to hear you finally made it to the end of the trail.
Best wishes for continued successful and enlightening adventures!
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Kia Ora Owen and SpiceRack from NZ. I am in awe of your achievement and send my heartiest congratulations on completing an unbelievably epic and arduous ramble. I have thoroughly enjoyed every blog and admire your talent for such eloquent writing and amazing philosophising. The photography has enhanced all your blogs and given me a much better awareness of the amazing land you live in.
Now it’s time to write a book about all your adventures on the various trails you have tackled over the past few years. Kai kaha, haere ra, Vicky
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Awesome.
Words can’t convey my admiration of such an epic journey. I have missed my daily fix of your progress but can understand the need to focus on the trip and your own wellbeing. Take care and I look forward to reading whatever you decide to do next. Hope there will be pictures! Best wishes to Spice and Tango. Hope Blackbird served you well and gets well used going forward. As I said … Awesome!
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CONGRATULATIONS to you both. What an amazing adventure. You are inspiring and magical in all you do. I am so impressed.
A big thank you to all the family, friends, and strangers who kept you safe and sound during your journey. Thank you for sharing and your excellent writing style.
Can’t wait to hear about your past and future plans.
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Congratulations!!! I am very happy for you both. I missed you dearly, and sent good vibes all along. I can’t wait to hear more details when you get the chance. Epic seems like an overused word, but you really did an epic adventure.
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Really going to be hard to top what the two have you have done over the last year ++ and for those moments u needed a support group you seem to have been blessed, just maybe your brother takes a different role next time : ) I’ve played that role, its a tuff one seems like if things can go wrong they will . What a amazing accomplishment and so glad I was able to share the ride some of the time. It’s been a blast and best part is you are all safe and proved that freedom still exits. Really never connected to anyone on the internet doing anything as I have with your adventure, don’t go looking for it, luckily just came to me and so glad it did. God Bless and hope all is well with family back on the west coast .All my best as always wish I could buy several burritos but …well u know the story. Later
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This was worth waiting for. Looking forward to seeing more posts and pictures. Been to the marker in Key West. Florida, Georgia and Alabama does have some beautiful landscape plus critters. Congratulations to both of you.
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Hey you guys,
Congratulations. What a ride. Thank you.
Cheers!
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Congratulations on your impressive accomplishment!
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Owen and Spice,
Thank you for your beautiful words and stories. I have followed your complete journey north and south and it is wonderful to here you have made it to the southern most part of these united states.
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Woohoo!! Congrats Threeve and Spice!! Looking forward to catching up sometime 🙂
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That is truly amazing! Nice work. What an achievement,, and I am so happy you let us follow you thru this journey. Best Wishes for you both, looking forward to the net adventure, Capt Ed , Islamorada, Fl
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Your account of this unique journey is the Forrest Gump masterpiece of hike blogging- a saga, full of real moments, growth, introspection, adventure, humor, dedication, a touch of suspense/drama (van stuck). Mightily relieved to see this post. If you think your feeble human brain can’t comprehend it, imagine us as readers. If Spice ever decides to write again I’ll be just as pumped to read that too. I’d buy the book and buy some as gifts for people that don’t know yet that they need this vicarious adventure you’ve graciously provided.
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Congratulations on completing such a tremendous undertaking! When I started to read about thru-hikers on the AT, yours was the first I happened upon. It was pretty exciting to follow along in spirit with you from Ga to Me and beyond as it turned out. Your writing is terrific. Consequently, you set the bar so high with regards to your posts that I’ve yet to enjoy any other blogger’s work as much, although I certainly appreciate the hard work each of them invests in the effort. Good luck to you, SpiceRack, Tango, Blackbird, and all the others who were with you on your journey, as you look to the future while having so many wonderful memories to look back on. Thank you!
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Congrats on finishing your epic walk!
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Wow, I can’t comprehend the distance you two have covered. And for SpiceRack to have done the AT SOBO since your last update, pretty much through the winter – man alive.
It’s so refreshing to read your writing again. I try to binge some other writers on the Trek (Where I originally found your AT trip blog), but it’s just not the same. Thank you for the effort in recreating the imagery and feelings you experience on the trail.
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I had my timeline all messed up, the portion from Springer to the tip of Florida would have been through the winter – duh. Still, those States can have some cold stretches. You both are champs!
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Congratulations! You are both such amazing writers, it’s been a joy to travel along with you. I kept Owen’s entries of his days on the AT handy so I could anticipate what was next while providing trail support for my son last year. I’ve checked in on Spice’s blog hoping to find more about her insights into her experiences. All in all, you two have been a joy in my life for the past year. Thank you.
Good job.
PS: put it all together into a book
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So glad to read you!!! Serge and I were asking ourselves where are they? In good shape? In Blackbird caught in the mud again? But you were just hiking…I mean hiking! Hope to see you again and have a good rest. Xxx
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Owen/Spicerack; well done! I followed along on your super trek. Followed as I was hiking myself. Enjoyed your descriptions of locations I had, in some cases, recently passed through. You have probably heard this said and I concur, would make an excellent book. Now take a rest and relax. Best of trail luck to you both
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Epic journey, congratulations!!
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You were the first trek blog I’ve read and for you to finish and then go on then turn around and go all the way down what are the odds. The daily posts only staggered a few days not easy. I realize this now having read about 20 other blogs. You are a hiking writing machine. I’ll learn how to pay with my phone and send you a few bucks. Thanks for the ride
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What you all have done and achieved is legend. I followed you from midway through your NOBO on the Appalachian Trail. When you were in my area of the trail I was deeply intrigued being I hike the area regularly and loved you reaction. I was glad to hear from Spice on her SOBO. I will say this, your journey the both of you, was a trial and tribulation of when people put there mind to anything can become reality. Again well done and congratulations on this astonishing accomplishments!
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Wow, I had wondered what happened. I joined your journey last year, about 4 posts in. I wanted to drive out and do a little trail magic if I could find you.
That is a freaking hard journey and I hope you two come out stronger and have more journeys together. Marry that woman! She keeps her names.
Sometime we have to eat a burrito together.
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Congratulations! Can’t wait to read about the rest of your journey!
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Thanks for letting me vicariously share your journey. You have a real gift for writing and for photography. I’ve truly enjoyed reading the adventures the three of you (Owen, Spice, Tango) have had. Looking forward to more!
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Thank you for sharing your journey with me.
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