Date: 2013-03-11
To: Addie has a home for 6 months!!! Yay!!!!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I haven't been posting lately because I have been so wrapped up in reading everyone's TJ, working and getting ready for my hike to begin on March 30th. It's been interesting out there on the trail thus far to say the least!!! My gosh, the weather has been crazy out there with all the snow, wind and cold!!!! I've been following Rash and he is one tough dude! But, even HE had to take 3 days off at Fontana before heading out into GSMNP! And today???? He shared a video of what it's like up on Clingman's. 60 mph winds, rain/sleet/snow! I've experienced that kind of thing up on Grandfather mountain on a treacherous day hike and I've been up on Clingmans when it is super windy, but the conditions on the AT going NoBo seem to be less than desirable for early trekkers!!!   But.......even though it's crazy cold, snowy and windy out there on the trail???? I CANNOT WAIT to start this thru hike! As of tomorrow, it will only be 17, possibly 16 before I start!!! Possibly 16 because my handsome nephew, Lorne, is driving me up to AFSP on Friday the 29th and, if I get there early enough, I may just head out that afternoon. Otherwise, I will stay the night and then hit the trail on Saturday. Thoughts of the trail and this journey consume almost every moment of my day. I'm sure It's a little annoying to people who are trying to talk to me and all they see is my glazed look, silly grin, and far off look!!   I can't help it though!!! It is such an awesome feeling to be thinking about hiking and living in the woods for 5 months.    As my departure date grows near, so many people are asking me about it and are interested in what it's all about. Not just the thru hike but also the "Walk off the War" program that I am involved with. I'm always happy to talk to them and answer any questions that they have. The more people I can inspire to get out in the woods and support national forests and trail systems the better!!! And, even more importantly, the more people I can share the need for a program like WarriorHike.com's Walk Off The War program the better!!! I don't want this blog to be a fundraising venue (there are a lot of TJ's that are just that)....I am doing this thru hike for ME, first and foremost, but I would just ask that you take a look at the website I just mentioned so that you understand the other reason I am doing this hike with 12 other amazing Veterans.    My gear list is changing quite a bit and I will share that with you in the gear section when I get back from meeting up with the rest of my crew next weekend. We have been so blessed with amazing support from multiple sponsors to make this project happen and I will be going with what the rest of my fellow Warrior Hikers will be outfitted with. I will have one bounce box going to a few places along the trail instead of specific mail drops. I'll list them all in the next couple of weeks. I would like to give a big THANK YOU to Willie...a wonderful man that is at our nursing home daily. He is an incredible man for many reasons, but I would really like to thank him for the care package of Snickers Marathon Bars, Oatmeal Raisin PowerBars, Starkist Tuna Creations, and Bumble Bee Albacore steak pouches that he has provided me with for my hike.....!!!!!!!!! And a bunch of them!!! Thank you so much Willie!!!! This will provide much needed energy to take on the trail! :0)   I took Addie to my sisters this weekend to see how she would get along with Kit's golden's "Emmerson" and "Maggie". It went sooooooooo great!!!!! Thank Gosh!!! (Thats for you Kit ...)   Actually, Addie is now very much in love with Emerson and is missing him since she got back here with me last night. I feel very comfortable and happy about leaving my baby Addie with Kit. Thanks big sis!!!!!!   Mel, the speech therapist at Maggie valley will be taking care of Ruby. She has a little boy, a big yard, and will be able to take her to work with all her familiar friends at Maggie Valley Nursing and Rehab. So, as a mom??? I feel content about who is taking care of my little girls! Thank you Mel! And....Barb, Brandon, Kyle, Allen and the rest of the staff at MVNR...I know you will all help with Rubster! :0)    Now come on SPRING!!!!!! Rash, Journey, Daddy Long Legs, Ground pounder, my Warrior Hikers and ME want to see some dirt on the trail....no more snow ;0)