Date: 2003-07-11
From: CT55 parking lot

To: Sherman, CT
Miles today: 0.0

It was a great day today, at first relaxing around the house, then getting chores done, and ending with another great meal and a friendly game of Yahtzee. I got up around 7:30, and took a nap on the couch around 9:30. It's rough here! The morning was cool, and the conditions were perfect for a nap, so, when my eyelids got heavy as I was reading the paper, I allowed myself to crash. It felt so good!Brian and Gretchen have been wonderful, allowing us use of ... well, anything and everything. Plus they ran us to Kent for maildrops and gear replacement shopping. I bought a Thermarest, as my Slumberjack sleeping pad was kaput. I always enjoy my stay in houses, but I know I can't stay forever. The trail calls me back.I'm so happy for my friends who are very near Katahdin. Subman expects to finish the end of this month. It's such a wonderful accomplishment, and I am so proud of him, and the others ahead of me. I will always think of those out here with me this year as family, sharing a common bond. I can't wait to talk to Subman and some others about our trail experiences.In talking to Mom and Dad about "the end", I start imagining what it'll be like. I know I will be incredibly wrong with what I imagine, but I can't help it. I also know that I have a long way to go, and many things can happen between now and then. Since Mom and Dad will be in Maine in early September for a wedding, I have been thinking and planning things with them. I can't say exactly where I'll be, or what will happen, but I am planning on attending my cousin's wedding. It will be very difficult if I've been hiking with the same people around the time of the wedding, and then let them go ahead of me, but right now, that is my plan. All things are subject to change, as this is about 2 months away.Hotdog has already told me that if we're not finished by the time of the wedding, he will take time off when I do so that we can finish together. He said that if it weren't for me, he wouldn't be this far along. I don't believe that, as it takes his feet and legs to carry him. And I don't believe I have the power to will someone north. He wants to do this, and he is doing it. For himself. I know that I am doing this for myself, and, barring accidents or injury, I am the only one that can stop me from reaching Katahdin, and I don't have any plans of that.I had thought that I would live elsewhere after this hike, but I really don't have a clue. I have a lot of friends that I miss at home, along with family. I do not believe I will live in Florida forever, but there are a lot of things I'd like to do there... a lot of places I have never visited, and a lot of adventures I'd like to do there. I feel like my options are wide open. It will be difficult to move away, but I believe I can do whatever I want. Once again, only I can stop myself. The problem is, I often do just that. I still have a lot of time to think about things, and try to figure out things. I have been enjoying the simplicity of trail life, and hope to carry that simplicity over to my off-trail life as well. Time will tell how successful I am at that, but right now, that is one of my after-hike goals. For now, I just want to keep enjoying this hike, and keep walking north. Keeping it simple.