Can you help me with my trail name? -Appalachian Trail prep

“What's in a name? that which we call a rose
     

By any other name would smell as sweet..”

-       William Shakespeare

What really IS in a name? I was named Terese Ann Rytlewski at birth, some many decades ago and have forever since, gone by the name, Terri.  We sometimes wish we had a different name and sometimes like our names…. I always wanted to have another name, perhaps Laura or Elizabeth. Something more exotic and smoother flowing than, TERRI. Sometimes people want to spell it with a ‘y’ at the end, other times they want to make it TeresA. Go figure.

On the Appalachian Trail and other long distance trails, hikers often adopt other names. As Tom has previously dealt with some of this in another post, (http://tntonthetrail.blogspot.com/2012/12/why-do-you-use-trail-names-why-dreamer.html),  I won’t elaborate more on how he got his name or the other details about trail names.  

But, I would like to explain the origin of some trail names that we do know about. For instance, “Two Rings” got his name, because the tread his hiking boots laid down in the trail, created two very distinct rings in the dirt. Thus, Two Rings.

Our hiking friends “Tag-less and Tagalong” also known as the “Tag-Team”, got their names from their grandchildren. Dane (Tag-less) was working on assembling his hiking clothes one day, actually cutting the tags out to eliminate unnecessary weight and the possibility of irritation on his neck and his granddaughter piped up saying, “Grandpa, you’re Tag-less.” His wife, Connie who was kind of just going along with Dane on this journey, then became, “Tag-Along.”

One more hiking friend, adopted the name, “Big Sky” as he was from Montana and lived on the Yellowstone River.

You can clearly see that the names are either given (not the perfect situation as you might be handed a name that you DON’T want or deserve), or you choose a name leaving for the trail. This is where all of our readers come in…. I, Terri, don’t have a trail name yet and I’m pretty sure that I’d rather choose my own, rather than be handed an unpleasant or unflattering one down the trail.

Those of you that know me well might be able to help with this challenge and those of you that don’t, let me tell you a bit about myself and perhaps you can help me come up with a terrific handle for the hike.

I’m a Wife, a Mom and a new Grandmother. I’ve been married 33 years to the love of my life and I’m absolutely crazy in love with him! I’m mother to 3 awesome, adult kids that I’m ‘button busting’ proud of and most recently, grandmother to the most precious little creature, ever to grace the earth.

I’m a photographer, gardener, knitter and homemaker; and an amateur philanthropist.  I am typically a homebody, enjoying spending time in my garden or sewing room or whipping up a new DIY project. I’m not someone who enjoys being ‘out front’, but would rather hide in the background and quietly enjoy my life. I have been blessed with a rich relationship with my husband and children and some very special friends. I’ve been fortunate enough to travel across most of the US and even some other countries. Backpacking does not hold the same place in my heart as it does for Tom and this trip is my gift to him for his 60^th birthday. I am a destination hiker, meaning I want to get to the next place and relax and most days am oblivious to my surroundings, only intent on the next camping site.

Knowing me personally and knowing these generalizations about me, can you help me come up with an appropriate name? I’m hoping that some of your suggestions will ring true with my spirit and I’ll be able to adopt your name for me.

Come on friends and readers, let the suggestions start!! I can’t wait to see what you’ll come up with!!