IRP blog post 11 -cited passage

At the very end of the book Bryson and Katz both realized that it was time for them to go home. When they stepped off the trail for the last time they were torn between being relieved or sad. Bryson questioned if it was really a good idea to leave because it felt like they hadn't really hiked the Appalachian trail. "I had come to realize that I didn't have any feelings toward the AT that weren't confused and contradictory. I was weary of the trail, but still strangely in its thrall; found the endless slog tedious but irresistible; grew tired of the boundless woods but admired them for their boundlessness; enjoyed the escape from civilization and ached for its comforts. I wanted to quit and do this forever, sleep in a bed and in a tent, see what was over the next hill and never see a hill again." (389). This quote basically sums up their whole journey. When reading it you can understand the emotions that Bryson is feeling. You can tell that Bryson feels differently about life now because of his journey on the trail with Katz. When Bryson questions if they really hiked the Appalachian Trail, Katz replied simply that they had, and what they missed was just simply details. Afterward, Bryson realized Katz was right and that its true, nothing else matters but the fact that they did hike the Appalachian Trail.