Date: 2007-01-22
To: Final Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I know I have been over due for a final entry. I have read so many of my friend¢s final entries and they all sum up the trail so eloquently. Now is my turn, but as you know the journey is a little different for each of us.I was not sure exactly what I wanted. Originally, I was to do the trail with my son, Bill. That didn¢t work out, though he joined me for a week later on. Every thing was already in place for me to go so I continued on with my trip. Up to this point my wife and I hadn¢t been apart for more than a night or two at a time. Now six months of being apart lies ahead. I was excited to be out in the woods, sleeping, cooking and if you will, survive in nature. I was interested in playing music as I traveled north. I was able to do that. I had a mini concert and jam sessions with other players all the way north. In past years of hiking I always found it fascinating talking with other hikers. I found it amazing that once you met a hiker you would see them 2, 3, 4 or more times along the way. Hikers like Jericho, Catch-up, Burkenstock, Brighteyes, Mapman and Robin, The Wanderers, Pi and K¢ache, She Bear, G-Man, #2, Rusch Hour, Baldylocks, and of course Indiana and Bama. There are so many others as well. The journey has been these things and more. It is amazing to watch life go by at 2-mph. The air, the trees, the rocks, the wild flowers, even the sweat dripping off your face on 95-degree days. It is all part of a world that exists for everyone. The only advantage hikers have is we were living it. We learned to ¢simply live and live simply.¢ As I hiked I never ran into anyone who wouldn¢t help if you needed it. That gave me a real appreciation for the kindness of the human spirit. There are many journeys on the trail. And there are many paths to take. Everyone has to be careful and take the right path to complete the journey. It is bad to wander down the dark side because it is hard to climb back out. I so admire all my hiker friends who did it right. Now that I have been done for a several months I realize that it was trip of a lifetime. It seems so long ago now.1. Do I need to go back and pick up the 3 small sections I missed? No, I don¢t have a need to do that to feel like a Thru Hiker. I am going to pick up the 40 or so miles I missed in New Hampshire though. The day after I fell in the Whites, I was supposed to hike with my son, Bob. I want to do those miles with him next summer. 2. Am I glad I am home? A very big yes. Being home with Mrs. Banjoman has been such a sweet loving reunion. She was so supportive and loving while I was gone. She took care of everything while I was away and the house and grounds look terrific. She gave of herself to our children and grandchildren. I owe her so much. I hope I can repay her for all of her love and support. I never want to be apart from her again. 3. Do I want to hike the trail again? No, I don¢t. I wanted to see if I could physically and mentally do it. Yes I could.4. Will I ever hike again? Yes, I want to expose my grandchildren to the outdoors and what it takes to be self reliant out in the woods, that translates to life. I don¢t want them to be afraid of the unknown. I have learned on big lesson out on the trail. There are two Appalachian Trails. The Two Appalachian Trails                                                By BanjomanThe trail is a long one.It holds many a mystery.They are very different For you than for me.For you the days go byAnd you are alone at night.For me every day is an adventureAnd every day has a new sight. All your days are fullOf things that are mundane.For me everyday is full Of hills that are insane. We write in our journalsAt the end of each day.Mine filled with adventureAnd you not knowing what to say.Is it words of family and friends?Or is it just lonely thoughts.Are the words of anger for being left alone?Or words of hope for when I come home?I am sure the words are mixed.Some of joy and some of sadness.For you it is missing the tenderness,For me it is missing the togetherness.So you see there are two Appalachian TrailsThey hold many a mysteryThat is very different For you than for me.Lastly I would like to thank all the countless people that have supported my hike. I have wonderful friends here at home. They all had signed my guest book numerous times with supportive messages. My family has been great. They sent me things on the trail and sent along messages of support as well as helping looking after Mrs. Banjoman in my absence. I would like to thank New Balance for some great hiking shoes. Only two pair the whole way is pretty amazing. I also want to thank everyone else who signed my guest book. People who just stopped by the web page for a look see and left a message of encouragement. I also would like to thank all of the Thru Hikers who I met once or many times along the way. Your friendship was one of the highlights for me. I hope to see you again sometime. Mostly I would like to thank my wife. Without her love and support none of these footprints in the woods would have been possible. She gave me such a wonderful gift, a gift of time to hike the Appalachian Trail. It is no small thing that she has done. The sacrifices and the lack of another income for six months are immeasurable. I love her so dearly and I am so glad to be back home with her. Banjoman