Hiking the Appalachian Trail became one of the greatest adventures of my life. At the time — in 2009 — it was simply putting one foot ahead of the other and concentrating on where every step was placed and never giving up.

One of the most memorable things about hiking the trail was the people I met. They were some of the best people I have ever been fortunate enough to encounter: helpful, kind and supportive.

By the time I came off the trail for a mail drop, or to resupply, I was quite a sight to encounter and to think people would give me a ride, take me out to dinner and make sure I had a room before they left me helped keep me going.

One very stormy night, I was invited by a judge to sleep on his front porch in a town on the Pennsylvania-Maryland border. His wife served me a great breakfast the next morning and the judge walked with me awhile on the trail before saying goodbye.

I had trail magic and trail angels who gave me food.

One day, the liquid fuel for my stove leaked out of my little bottle and I had no way to cook supper. Nascar, who set up his tent near me, gave me a little fuel and I cooked under the flap of my tiny tent on that stormy night.

The next morning, when I packed up to leave at dawn, he stuck his head out of his tent and gave me a small bottle of fuel to get me through a few days, until I could reach a town to restock.

After this, Nascar hiked a week with me, but he hurt his leg and had to get off the trail.

I met Crank, a young guy from Texas, on my first day in Virginia (the longest part of the trail is Virginia; Maine is the second longest). Even though I was a solo woman hiker, I spent many days keeping pace with Crank.

I arrived in Harper’s Ferry in exactly two months. It was my birthday. I was alone and it was another rainy day. I was dripping wet when I walked into the AT Center to have my photo taken.

I found a room in the nearest motel to get cleaned up and, soon, Crank came along. He said he had hurried to catch up to me because he didn’t want me to spend my birthday alone.

We went to the nearest place to eat, restocked and hit the trail again.

Those moments you remember.

I had many, many people who helped me. I greatly respected the crews who maintain the trail, who would be out repairing the washouts and slides or damaged bridges as I passed. They were always cheerful and gave me a little history of the area.

Nature is amazing. Each part of the trail was different and exciting. Every day had its highs and lows. Every day I grew stronger. Every day was different.

Animals, weather, scenery, river crossings, mountain peaks, birds, flora and meeting people are all grand reasons to take a hike on this great trail.

Madelyn K. Given lives in Poland. Her trail name is “Madelyn from Maine.”