Outside Reading #1

12/3/15

I read an outside article on a website titled “vice.com,” which was written by a man named Dan Schneider. Dan was a hiker on the Appalachian Trail, and he wrote this article about a fellow male hiker that he had met on the Appalachian Trail. This man was named “Dakota Joe,” although that was not the name he was born with.

Joe was on the Appalachian Trail as a recent jailbird, having been in prison several different times. His first attempt at the AT resulted in him almost freezing to death, then being retrieved by a state trooper that escorted him off the trail – however not out of kindness – to return him to the familiar prison in Florida. A warrant was out for his arrest for violating his probation.

Dan let Joe hike with him and his group, and they quickly found out Joe’s life story due to his open personality. Joe described how he got a divorce from his wife and his criminal history. He explained his many prison visits and the reasons behind them. Joe also told them about his rough past, and his drug involvement. After burglarizing a church in 2008, Joe was sent to a federal prison in Florida. During his first night there, his fellow inmate was stabbed in the bathroom. After that incident, Joe vowed to get his life together and never return to prison. He cleaned up his act and exhibited good behavior at the prison in order to be released in a timely manner. Once released, Joe was clean of his drug addictions and was ready to make a life for himself. He settled down in a home in Fort Myers, got a full-time job, and a serious girlfriend that he ended up marrying. Although, after his divorce in 2012, Joe got caught by a cop speeding with a suspended license. The cop charged him with three years’ probation. After this, Joe immediately set out to begin the Appalachian Trail, without much money or planning at all.

After almost freezing to death during his trek, Joe was sent back to prison by the state trooper. Although, Joe again maintained a cooperative manner and was soon released. He again set out to complete his hike. Joe represents a prime example as to why one should never give up on the endeavors of life, and how it’s never too late to turn your life around. Dan and his group were easily inspired by this man’s story and determination. Joe’s account accurately displays how the Appalachian Trail gives way to many different kinds of people.