Date: 2004-09-02
From: Bed

To: Couch
Miles today: 0.0

I'm sorry for the lateness of this final journal entry. To tell you the truth, I had typed it all up about 2 hours ago and right when I was typing the last line, the computer crashed. Welcome back to the real world! Good thing nobody was home because I had a bunch of interesting obscenities to yell. Porter heard and he stared at me like I was crazy. I don't usually have outbursts like that. It's unfortunate too because I really liked how easily everything flowed and it sounded really good. Hopefully this entry is just as good... Needless to say, I'm typing this in Notepad on a different computer and saving after every paragraph!My latest pictures are now updated and on the site. I had some problems with my camera towards the end of my hike and I was very glad to be able to recover most of them today.So, I've been home now for almost a week and I've had a great time relaxing, chilling with Jill, playing with Porter, swimming at least twice a day in the pool, enjoying the 90 degree dry weather of California, golfing, and eating! My first day back on the golf course I had a string of 3 pars and a birdie - all in a row! Talk about being relaxed and not having any pressure! It is really awesome to be home!My plans after this relaxing time are to continue working in civil engineering. I've thought a lot about this and think it's the right path to bringing the savings account back up to par. It crossed my mind to work in an outfitter but I think I may become bored because it would be unchallenging compared to previous engineering jobs that I've had. I have a technical mind and think that I need to stay in that type of workplace. One thing that I'm going to do differently than in the past when searching for a job is to make sure I will be surrounded by a good group of people and also with management that actually cares about it's employees. I made a big mistake with this in my last place of employment and I really regret it. Although, it may have been a big reason that I was able to hike the Appalachian Trail.I couldn't have completed or even started my journey on the Appalachian Trail without the help from many different people. I am not going to thank each and every one of you because I'm bound to forget someone and that wouldn't be very nice. I would like to thank Jill for being there for me, working while I was "off having fun", taking care of Porter, sending me my resupply packages, and also for making my adjustment back to life away from the trail so easy. I really couldn't have done it without your help and support. I love you babe!Over the last 3 years worth of Christmas's and birthdays, my Mom and Dad, Tacoman, have been adding to my backpacking gear. Most of my gear that I used on the Appalachian Trail was given to me by them. Not only did they help me with my gear but also Tacoman visited me for a week in the White Mountains and paid for everything. It was very unexpected for me to be staying in a hotel and eating at Mr. Pizza every night. That week couldn't have been better. Thanks!One last thankyou goes to the Vicario family - Aunt Fran, Uncle Joe, and Cousin Matt. I don't know how I could have finished my trip without you. I'm glad you were able to summit Katahdin before moving away from Maine. Thanks for being there to pick me up at the end and driving me to Bangor so that I could return to the west coast.For many people that hike the Appalachian Trail, it is a life changing event, both physically and mentally. For me, it was more of a physical change. I may have become even more relaxed and laid back then I used to be but probably not. That would be difficult, I think. Physically, I lost 60 pounds. I still can't believe it! I am in the best shape of my life right now and feel awesome. The other day I looked at a few pictures from just before the hike and couldn't believe how pudgy I was.One thing that people don't understand when thinking about me hiking the Appalachian Trail by myself is that I was hardly ever alone. There is a HUGE community of other hikers out there doing the same exact thing as me. In fact, I had to try very hard to camp alone and that wasn't even possible until I was over halfway through Virginia. I probably only camped by myself 10 times the whole time I was on the trail. It may not have even but that often. I made some great friendships on the trail that I hope to be able to keep. It may be difficult since I'm all the way accross the country. Maybe this winter we can have an Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Reunion Party up at Lake Tahoe!I have no regrets and only good memories of my adventure...