cropped rue trail black and white with rainbow edit

Hi Builder

Welcome to the end of summer! We hope you have had a fantastic end of summer and move smoothly into September. Please tag us in your adventures and use #americanperimetertrail so we can follow along on your journeys!

Posts From the Board

Surviving

How are you connected to nature? Explore Suzanne's connection to nature in this beautifully written piece.

A Backpacker's Approach to Social Isolation

Did you ever wonder how Rue hiked through the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic?

Discover the philosophy and methodology that he created.

Read Here

GORC

New trail mix recipe!

Recipe Here

Remember the 1986's hit by the Swedish Rock Hair Band Europe? I was never a fan and six years old at the time but their song has been playing through my mind all week long. It is none other than the synth keyboard tune "The Final Countdown." Yes, there has been much adversity and two false starts. Both of these experiences were heartbreaking. Both of these experiences have shaped the man I am in this moment. There is very little distance left comparatively. However, it is impossible to know what obstacles lay ahead. Many people have told me that this should be easy considering the distance I have already covered. That's the thing about APT that I have learned. It never completely gets easier but changes and morphs into various challenges. It has no beginning and has no end. The APT is truly infinite. I have no doubt that in the upcoming decades that challenges will always remain. I am just as certain that they will be leading in the direction of continuing evolution of the Conference. I am a better version of myself for this journey. As I have stated before, journey is just another word for process. We have been through so much together. I hope that it has brought light and inspiration to You and Yours.

Now as I approach the final steps of millions I am reminded that it all began with one. As it will undoubtedly end with one. Consider joining me and the team as we turn a dream into reality. Our Community of Builders is ever growing and many hands make for light work. We will be announcing some new benefits for membership over the coming weeks. I am forever grateful to all of you for your service to the greater community which is humanity. I need not remind you, that this is only the beginning of our efforts. In the coming year you will all have access to the exact route and proposed route. In the coming years we will have Trail Clubs stationed all over the contiguous United States. The community will stretch from sea to shining sea. In fact it already does. When The APT gets into your bones, into your heart there is no looking back. It seems impossible to imagine a world in which it doesn't exist. It seems impossible to not leave this gift to our children and their children. We will be the ones who chose to use our energy to do something good in this world before we croak. While the rest of the world chose to put their energies into negativity and divisiveness. It was once said "Faith without works is dead." I have absolute faith in all of You as You have had faith in me. Now comes the work. I thank you for trusting me to carry out Phase 1 as we are quickly approaching Phase 2. I leave you with this beautiful quote which describes our Trail Family perfectly.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. ~Margaret Meade

Until next time.

Fair winds,

Rue McKenrick

Executive Director