Date: 2008-08-04
From: Dalton, Mass

To: home I guess
Miles today: 354.6

I never wanted to have to write this entry, thus the delay (Momma Muck, thanks for the kick in the you know what). I have spent the last few years picking someone in January to follow via trailjournals and live vicariously through as they made their journey north from Georgia to Maine. Every year I have been disappointed as each and every one of them dropped out, one after the other. All I could think is why, what could possibly make someone quit before Katahdin? I would find myself feeling bummed out for days thinking about the hiker I had never even met giving up on their goal.Now I am that person. I sincerely hope I don't "bum" anyone out. My experiences on the trail will be forever positive and life-altering. Did I want to finish, yeah, do I miss it with all of my heart, absolutely, am I sad I didn't make it to Katahdin, yeah, will I finish it someday, you betcha, did I make the right decision for the girls and I, without a doubt. We made it to Dalton, Mass and decided it was time to come home. Moki had me down to about 10 miles each day, unable to walk any further and she didn't seem to be enjoying herself at all anymore. At that pace, we never would have made it before the trail closed for the year. The ankle, well, I don't think I ever gave it adequate time to heal. My driver's license and credit card were stolen back in Connecticut and it was becoming more and more difficult to find a place to stay without having ID, I couldn't even get my food mailed anymore because of it. It was just time, for me and for Moki. Journey would've done 25 miles every day for the next five years I'm quite sure! I had the best time of my life. I was able to be completely free, in the woods, no crowds, no pollution, no crime (ok, there was some), no cars, VERY little garbage and with a wonderful group of people who were non-judgemental equals, all striving for the same three things; food, shelter and water.I learned to get over my fear of heights, I almost became attached to the dirt that seemed to be permanently imbedded in my fingernails (as Crocatoeahh always told me, "embrace the filth"). Thanks to the girls, I always seemed to be the dirtiest hiker out there, and toward the end, I was welcoming that concept. For 5 months I carried everything I needed for the girls and I on my back. There's something to be said for that, not that I'm a strong person, more like wow, we all really need to re-evaluate what is truly important. "Stuff" means nothing to me these days. If I can't fit it in my backpack, then why the heck do I need it! As Tacoma Tedd said: "Man should live like a mountain, standing high and free at his best, take just what he needs and forget about greed, realize that there's much more in less." Ain't that the truth!!I'm back in my beloved north woods and about to go back to work after a Labor Day weekend to be spent with my family and friends. Not an hour goes by without a thought of the trail these days, I'm sure that will fizzle eventually, but for now it's a welcomed warm fuzzy. My plan right now is to go back in the summer of 2010 and either finish, or do the entire AT again. I'm leaning more toward finishing as I would like to explore the other trails the US has to offer (especially the Lewis and Clark).Thank you all from my heart and soul for being there for me, for your inspirational words and for the endless smiles each and every message left me with. You'll be hearing from me again, I'm not done yet!!!TO: Alaska (and Buddy), Moutain Spice, Walka Walka (and Whiskey) Leftfield, and everyone else still pursuing Katahdin; I think about you all every day. I wish you the very best and can't wait to hear the stories of the miles I have ahead of me. Please stay in touch, my email is atbound@hotmail.com. If there is ANYTHING you need, send an email and you've got it, ANYTHING. Safe travels!Thank you all again, you helped to make this experience what it was - absolutely incredible!!Love, Rainbow, Moki & Journey.