I'm not sure why that particular statement set you off; comfort really is addictive, I say that from experience. I compare myself now to what I was before a year of college - with endless hot showers, meals, beer, women, and so forth, and there's a big difference. I'm softer, less ambitious, and slow. It's taking a substantial level of effort to get back to where I was physically and mentally. It's an excuse, but some twist of it certainly is real. It's also likely that if you were to verbally speak to me instead of communicate through writing, you might get a different picture. I write in a pretty flowery manner, and it's tough to drain the romance out of things in writing. I would inject romance into the most mundane scene, it's simply part of my writing style.
I've considered the AT, but I want to avoid going south, at least for now. There's just not a lot that interests me there, and the heat is something I'd like to avoid. That's why I'm leaning towards Canada, it shouldn't be quite as warm. The ADT looks interesting, I may look further into that. Though it seems that few people thru hike it, so the resources in that way would be limited.. limited to the point of questioning why it would be advantageous to make that your route.
2-3 days is a painfully low estimate. I've already done trips of that length without an issue, and intend to do several more through the next month. Being that I'm starting out on the canal, I'm expecting to wait at least that long for my first ride.
