From Georgia to Maine, the Appalachian Trail is marked by white blazes painted on trees, rocks, buildings, railroad ties, and posts. Those two-by-six-inch painted markers will guide a hiker to Mt. Katahdin, but interesting and easier trails sometimes lure hikers away from the AT. Distractions, detours, and shortcuts cause some to lose sight of the white blazes.

Stay on the path that will take you where you want to go. Pay attention, or you'll lose your way. If you yield to temptation and try too many other paths, you will never get to your goal.