Date: 2006-08-24
From: Ocean Grove

To: Ocean Grove
Miles today: 0.0

I should have summitted today! Here I am practicing for when I do get to the top of Katahdin and finish my thru hike. I've been thinking about Katahdin and how I wish I was celebrating my successful thru-hike, but I am not and I will have to deal with that reality.I have been recovering nicely from my illness and have settled into a wonderful routine at the Jersey Shore. This photo shows me on the Ocean Grove beach at the jetty celebrating my victory over my illness and my acceptance of its impact. I have finished my physical therapy and have improved enough to enjoy a daily walk on the boardwalk with Lynne and occasionally with good friends. We go to the beach almost every day and the ocean has also been great therapy. I¢ve been body surfing and working on a dark tan. I feel like I¢m not 100 percent so I¢ve decided to enjoy my time with Lynne and finish the summer here at the shore.I¢ve thought about my options to finish this hike and still want to do the thru-hike. So this is my plan: I will go back next year at or near the same time as this year and do the whole hike over. I¢ll start at Springer and head north. I¢ll have some time to get back in shape and get my equipment in order and hopefully next year I will be at Katahdin about this time in August. Lynne has given me her blessing again which is an unbelievably generous gift and I am very happy and will go back with a positive attitude and a sharp focus on my goal. When I started this hike I had no idea the huge impact it would have on me and what would turn out to be my most impressive experiences. I thought the hike would be about the places I saw, the mountains I hike in and the feeling of getting in shape and being self reliant. While those things were a part of the experience the most important and most enjoyable experiences involved the people I met, the friends I made, the hiking community. I couldn¢t have dreamed it would be as much fun as it was. I hiked with many wonderful people who made the hike a beautiful peak life experience. No wonder I want to go back. I have been thinking about my time with my friends a lot and I always find myself smiling and even laughing out loud. I hope some of the people I hiked with happen to read this journal entry. I would love to hear from you all. Those that are thinking of going back next year to finish their journey or make a first attempt, please consider hiking with Bush Whacker in 2007. I would like to thank everyone who made this hike such a pleasure. My family for supporting my decision and my hike, the trail angels, those wonderful people in the hostels, the trail maintainers, the hiking clubs, those who read my journal entries and sent me greetings, love and prayers, and most of all my good friends I hiked with. Thank you all for giving so much and for making Bush Whacker very happy.If I started naming everyone I am afraid I¢d leave someone out so you all know who I¢m talking about and everyone of you is special to me and I wish you all continued success in everything you do. I hope to hear from you all and hope to see many of you next year.With this entry I am off trail for 2006. I will check back from time to time as I am able and I will be posting the rest of my photos.