Date: 2005-05-13
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Davis Path Shelter
Miles today: 14.3

FRIDAY The 13th!So far so good.......hopefully nothing crazy happens tonight!I had a quick hike into Atkins this morning. I got in and ate a lot at Dairy Queen. It was a rest stop located right off Interstate 81 and there were a lot of past, present and future hikers driving thru the area on their way to ¢Trail Days¢ in Damascus. I met a few different past Thru-hikers and they gave me some snacks and offered rides to Damascus. Just about all the people I have been hiking with have gone back to Damascus. I decided not to go for a few different reasons. The biggest factor is because I will be getting off the trail in about 4 weeks for Klicker¢s Bachelor Party so it will be good motivation for me to get out of Virginia as soon as possible.The day was uneventful. I was hoping to do some more miles today but the weather looks threatening so I am going to stop for the day. I am here in the shelter with one other person and I probably will not see many more over the next couple of days with ¢Trail Days¢.*SPECIAL INSERT - Rep 1*So, a few people have asked why I am doing this and I am sure even more have wondered but have not asked. So here it is. There are a few reasons and I even question myself sometimes. Most people I have met out here attempting a thru-hike have dreamed of doing this for many years if not most of their life....as for me, I have known about the A.T. for most of my life, but I didn¢t consider doing it until about 3 months before I left Springer Mt. I got out of work early one day and my friend, Adam Burr and I went on a day hike. During those few hours, I told him how I was not getting the most out of my job and felt I needed to do something different. I initially brainstormed some business ideas and then after awhile thought why not the A.T. You see the problem with my job was not that I did not like it, but two other very important issues.         1.        I was only making a fraction of what I previously had due to the hockey lockout. I decided to act upon this hike when the season was officially cancelled. I looked at the opportunity and decided I would rather make no money and do something fun and challenging rather than make just a little money and have a job.        2.        The other factor that played a role in my decision was my lack of motivation at work. I ultimately take responsibility in my lack of motivation but I found it very hard to give 100% when I had no idea when hockey was going to be played again. Then on top of that, winning the Stanley Cup and going from the ultimate high to the ultimate low took a real toll on me.I would often feel bad for not giving my all at work during the last 6 months, and that really bothered me. I believe I am a very motivated person and always do my very best but when that was consistently being compromised, that is when I decided I needed to make a change.It was not an easy decision to make but I am fortunate enough to be able to attempt this difficult challenge. Only 10% actually make it the whole 2,174.1 miles. Tomorrow I will officially be 14 of the way there. I am happy to report that I am kicking ass out here and I am as motivated as ever to see the summit of Katahdin in early September.