Date: 2003-02-20
To: It's a beautiful daaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyy!
Miles today: 0.0

I have that U2 song in my head all the time these days. I'll post more in this entry later!Since January I've been meaning to answer all those questions that I get everyday about my trip. It's almost a week into my trip now but I still feel that I should put those answers up before I forget what they were originally.1) Where did you come up with the idea to hike the AT?Well, back in 2000 my roomie Melissa and I took a road trip through the New England States. We crossed paths with the AT and many thru hikers and that is when I first thought that hiking the AT would be something I may like to do. That same year we met a girl who hiked up to PA and another guy who completed the entire thing, and after talking with them I knew it was something I wanted to do. I had it all planned out to do in 2004, and it was mainly planned around work. But this past summer I realized I just wasn't happy or fulfilled. I was stuck in the same 9-5 lifestyle but for me it was more like 9:30 - 7. When I got to the point where I would hit the snooze button more than 5 times, I realized I had little motivation to get to work. But, I did enjoy work because of all the awesome friends I had there which gave me motivation enough to get there at some point.So ideas of career changes went through my mind, I really think I'd like to be a park ranger, or environmental educator or own my own gear store. But all those take committment and I decided before I get myself into a new career I should do the AT while I can. And that is why the year got moved to 2003.Whewww that was a long answer.2) What about your job, apt, etc?Well, originally I asked for a leave of absence from work hoping to still have benefits and have a job when I got back from the AT. But that didn't happen so I quit. I'm confident I will find something whether it be working at a gear store or McDonald's. I've got skills and a few degrees that will get me something. As far as the apartment, sadly I moved all my things into storage and that forced Melissa to find her own spot. I've heard she's got a cool pad with a patio and fireplace. I'll miss our Thursday night Friends and Pizza parties, but I am sure when I get back that we will hang out, eat pizza and maybe even go to karaoke night at Tex-Mex since she'll be living so close to there.3) Who is going with you?Nobody. I'm doing this journey alone. I should say no one in my current circle of friends and family are joining me, however the trail is very social and mid-March to mid-April is prime for starting a through hike so I will not be alone at all. I'm confident that I will make friends.4) What are you hoping to get out of this?Well, first I'm hoping to have an awesome time hiking in the woods and seeing the beauty of the Eastern mountains and woods. I'm hoping to make alot of new friends. And I know this may sound odd to a few people who know me, but I am trying to find the ultimate me, to gain confidence in myself and abilities, to get out of my comfort zone and test my limits. I guess I am looking for a good challenge.I guess I should also explain my signature - Walk on to new horizons. Ever since I decided that I was definitly hiking the AT this year, I've been listening to the same songs that get me pumped up. Walk On and Beautiful Day by U2 and New Horizons by David Gray. Many people on trail journals have a quote or some meaningful saying, I thought this would be my personl statement. Everyone on the AT seems to be hiking for a reason and many are looking for personal growth and change. I thought my signature could reflect this.If anyone has any other questions they want me to answer feel free to ask. I get a million, so to put the answers here for everyone.