Date: 2006-08-29
To: Home Sweet Home
Miles today: 0.0

I have been home for 2 weeks and life is pretty much back to normal. I have had the chance to visit with tons of friends and family and get caught up on life back in York, PA. School started Monday, although the kids will not be starting until Thursday. The main reason I decided to post this entry was to share the results of an interview that my second cousin, Carrie Engler, asked me to complete for a family newsletter. Below are my responses to the questions. I also thought I would post a link to an article that appeared on the front page of the local newspaper. York Daily Record Article 1.        What was the weirdest thing you saw on your trek? I would have to say that watching other thru-hikers eat some crazy combinations of food and enjoying it was pretty weird. Example: Peanut butter and pepperoni tortilla wrap 2.        Where was the best food and what was it? The Home Place Restaurant Catawaba, VA. All you can eat family style dinner. 3.        How many pairs of shoes did you go thru, if more than one? 4 pairs of trail runners 4.        If you lost weight, how much? I fluctuated up and down throughout the hike but after a 14 hour drive home with plenty of stops I had gained 10 pounds. 5.        What was the first thing, after seeing your family, that you did when you completed your trek? Went to the mall to see Talladega Nights. 6.        Where was the best view and what was it of? Very tough question. I would say the view of Katahdin from Abol Bridge Campground would be at the top of a long list. 7.        What were some of the animals you saw along the way? Deer, Snakes, Black Bear, Turkey, Grouse, Moose, Lots of mice,various reptiles 8.        What was your best day like? A perfect day on the A.T. would include the following: plenty of friends beautiful weather, clear skies, bug free, pain free, challenging climbs, rewarding views, wildlife, nourishing food, and dry shelter. 9.        What advice would you give to someone who was going to walk the trail after having walked it yourself? Plan well but expect your plans to completely change with the understanding that things always workout on the trail. 10.        What has this experience meant to you personally? I am just extremely happy that I was able to have the opportunity to experience the wilderness while meeting a life long goal. 11.        Are you keeping the beard? It¢s gone. 12.        If you carried an ipod/mp3 what was on it? I had a collection of music that ranged from Beethoven to the Grateful Dead. 13.        Currently over 54,500 hits have occurred on your journal website. Did you ever expect that much activity and the response that came with it? No. I was overwhelmed by the interest in my adventure. 14.        My congratulations to you for reaching your monetary goal for Team Shad. Having come close (and by the time this interview is read you may have surpassed) to doubling your goal that must leave you with a great sense of accomplishment. Can you comment? Those that donated should feel good about what they did. I just happened to be the one to introduce them to a very important and worthy opportunity to help others. 15.        I know when I was living in London there were food items that I missed from home. Was there a favorite meal/food that you couldn't wait to eat when you got home? As sad as it may sound, I missed green olives the most. 16.        What are the things you won't miss about being on the trail? Being wet, not showering, missing my family, old heavily used privies 17.        What state had the best sunrise? My most memorable sunrise was from Lookout Cabin in Vermont. 18.        If you had the opportunity to walk the AT again would you say yes? If Danielle joined me, yes. 19.        What was the one thing that you packed that you were so glad you did? An inflatable pillow. 20.        What didn't you pack that you wish you had? A television. Ok seriously, I think I would like to try a hammock rather then carrying a tent.