Date: 2009-03-17
To: Thank you...
Miles today: 0.0

      For making this trip possible, I first wanted to thank Erik for accompanying me on all of my trial backpacking trips over the past year, for being my main support system, for truly caring about me, and for taking over the monumental task of overseeing my many mail drops. Without him, I would not be embarking on this adventure right now.      Special thanks goes to Certain for being so generous and patient with her time in showing me how to hang a hammock, for uploading my photos and managing my journal, for lending me her precious gear, for giving me rings and carabiners for my hammock straps, and for providing a great deal of support and encouragement. She has, and will be investing a great deal of energy into my hike, and her willingness to share her knowledge and time have reduced my stress-levels enormously.         Thank you to Persistent, who was the first thru-hiker I contacted for advice in planning my trip. She has provided me with a lot of great information and enthusiasm over the past few months, and has remained interested in the progress of my preparations, even as her life has gotten exponentially busier. Her interest and willingness in aiding me with my journey means a great deal to me. Both Certain and Persistent have given me the belief that I, too, can complete this ambitious undertaking.        Another huge thank you goes to the O¢Briens (my landlords) for giving me an unbelievably generous discount in my rent and allowing me to keep my apartment while I am away. I can not express how grateful I am for the security in having a wonderful place to return to after my journey is completed.                Thank you to everyone who has signed my guestbook or e-mailed me with encouragement and enthusiasm and for those I have spoken with who have expressed interest in my trip and asked me questions about it. I have never felt so much support in my life, and I sincerely appreciate every word. Already, I feel that making the decision to hike this trail has been the best one I¢ve made in my life. (I even received a whole bag of chia seed samples from a sales representative who Erik mentioned my hike to).        Thank you so much to Kevin for volunteering to sacrifice his vacation days from work and drive a long way to help me out if I am in need. I feel that this offer is too generous for me to accept.        A big thank you also goes to Brian Hopkins (advanced rolfer in Durham, NC), who gave me a free ¢tune-up¢ Rolfing session in support of my journey. This was a wonderful gift for both my body and spirit.        Thank you to the Corbin family, who have looked out for me over the past year, and cooked me many delicious dinners. They gave me a delicious send-off dinner, complete with a surprise belated birthday cake, as well! Life could be a lot better with more people like this in it.        Thank you to Thom, who along with Erik, made me a cat stove (which should be more robust than my ion stove) and who gave me a nice send-off lunch and well-wishes.        Thank you to my boss, Dave, who so agreeably allowed me a six-month leave of absence and to the lab for the REI gift card they gave me. A wall map of the AT (given to them by Kevin) is hanging on a hallway bulletin board so they can follow my progress.        I also wanted to thank the many people who have written and posted their AT journals on the web over the years, for all to enjoy and learn from. I particularly love well-written, thoughtful, and humorous journals. A few that I happened to discover and which have provided me with a lot of insight and inspiration are: Nocona (¢98), Persistent (¢07), Certain (¢07, ¢08), Lady Cluck (¢08), Dynamite (¢08), Liquid (¢08) and Bones ('08). (There are of course, many that I did not stumble upon, so please don¢t be offended if I didn¢t list yours...)      I hope to follow in their footsteps and give you all a glimpse of the life I will be leading for the next several months in return for all of your support. It will be a daunting task, so we¢ll see if I am able to meet the challenge...