Date: 2015-08-25
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Before I give my post-hike update (in a couple days, so check back!), it¢s important to say thank you to the ones that have truly made it possible for me to walk 2189.2 miles.First and foremost, my wife Nikki. She has supported me and believed in me before my boots even touched the ground. It was difficult for her to be in the background on this trip but she was so much a part of every step. She was there listening and providing moral support during difficult times. She had patience when I asked her to run to the Post Office to send me winter gear¢¦when the Post Office closed in less than an hour (I did this multiple times. Sorry!). She took care of the financials, the home, and more importantly herself. Throughout my days on the trail, the question I¢d get asked often was ¢How¢d your wife LET you go hike the AT?¢ For us, there¢s no ¢letting¢ each other do something. We encourage each other to give 110% to something we are passionate about. We knew this would the most difficult challenge we¢d face but we knew we¢d prevail and be better as individuals and as a couple. We decided this as a team and I can¢t say thank-you enough.I have to thank my mom, dad and brother. Thank you for being so proud and supportive of me as a son, a brother and a hiker. I loved calling home and hearing the excitement in your voices when I would tell you about the trip. I¢m sure I kept you up at night, worrying about my safety and my health. I appreciate you believing in me and giving me guidance when I needed it. I couldn¢t have done it without you.The Lewoc family: Big-T, Little-C, TJ & Rayna. Thank you for supporting me on my journey. I appreciate you following my journey and supporting Nikki while I was away. I couldn¢t ask for a better set of in-laws and brother & sister in-law.I have to thank a few hikers by name (In no particular order): Tree Ninja, Hermit, Sycamore, Giuseppe, K2, Zipper & Longhorn, Adam Quag¢s. Hiking and camping with you guys was such a highlight of the trip. It was a fun time with you individually or in groups along the way. I have great memories of the popcorn incident in Neels Gap, night-hiking the Smokey¢s, seeing bears in Maryland, hiking Lemon Squeezer in the rain, eating chili-dogs on Mount Washington, or just wishing you good luck in Monson, ME. I¢m glad to know you have all made it to Katahdin and accomplished your goal. Best of luck as you embark on life after the trail.My trail family: Axon & Shrugs. It¢s tough to convey how much you have impacted my trip in such a memorable way. From the moment I met you both, I could tell what good people you were. Getting to know you was special, as you became my trail family. You were the ones I could talk to on the trail, day in and day out. I am so grateful to meet people with such large hearts. As excited as I was to reach Katahdin, I was equally as excited for you to reach Katahdin. Congratulations on your accomplishment!My main man Stretch: Camping or hiking with you was always a bright spot in the day. It was saddening when you had to leave the trail in Damascus, VA, but it was so great to finally hike together 1,000 miles later in The Whites. Seeing a familiar face from so long ago was refreshing and I appreciate the time hiking together. You¢re part of my trail family and I look forward to us catching up again.I have to say thank you to all my other family members, friends, co-workers, Trail Angels and Trailjournal readers. I loved reading the messages you sent me, messages my Trailjournal, thoughtful gifts, snacks or rides along the way. Your encouraging words and kind gestures provided motivation through the miles. I know there are other people I know I forgot or others I have contacted personally. Thank you all.ONE MORE POST In a week or so I¢m going to write a post-trail entry. It¢ll be about my overall experience before, during, and after the hike. I hope you check back in shortly and thanks for following me!