Date: 2014-03-14
To: My Head Hurts!
Miles today: 0.0

My walk is drawing near and I really need to take care of some food issues. But, my mind is running 100 miles an hour and most of it is not related to food. Most people will tell you that my mind ain't right normally but it has gotten worse. Maybe, if I can just write down a few random thoughts I can clear my mind and get back to planning this trip. Kind of like a cat coughing up a hairball and then returning to his daily business, mostly just sleeping. Here are a few thoughts and the numbers related to them.1) The number of states I will be walking in for the first time on my hike. It's pretty awesome that part of it will be on the famous Long Trail in Vermont.2) Actual days of backpacking experience that I have, both days in Southern Illinois. The fact that we went the wrong way for the first hour probably explains the miniscule number.3)The number of people that will be in our group hiking the Approach Trail.That number should probably be 2 1/2 since one of them is only 3 years old,but she is our guide so I have to count her.4)After the Approach Trail the number of grand kids that will need to hike with me somewhere on the trail this year. Shout out to Daniela, Keaton , Hylah, and Ember.5) The number of family members that will be hiking the first two weeks with me. They are so paranoid that I will get lost by myself.6) Number of months that I will be gone from home. The biggest obstacle of the hike.8) Number of marathons that I have ran, burning the same number of calories that I will consume in four days of hiking the AT. Scary thought!10)Number of steps from my bed to the bathroom to empty my bladder at night. That number is really going to go up in a few days.14) Number of states that I will be hiking in, also number of days until we leave for Georgia.16) Number of days from today until I'm "liking the hiking".28) Last weight in pounds of my pack without food, water, or fuel. That Sherpa would have really came in handy.33) The number of Robins that I have seen today, Spring is here! I just realized that also is Larry "Bird's" number, talk about random thoughts.38) The number of years that I have been married to my wife Paige, she should be eligible for sainthood by now.41) The number of years that I have worked, mostly walking, so I could stop working and start walking.42) The number of years since Paige and I camped in Big Meadows Campground in Shenandoah National Park. Also, the first black bear I saw in the wild,hopefully not the last.61) My age in years,biologically but I never intend to get old. 115) The last part of the hike, in miles, that I expect my son Carson to join me, as we finish at Baxter State Park in Maine.550) The number of miles in Virginia,one fourth of the trail.1267) The number of dollars I have spent on new gear this year.2200) The number of miles I will walk to finish the trail, I'm bound to get lost once or twice.2500) Budget in dollars for my hike once I begin walking.2725) The number in dollars of gear that I have bought,received as gifts, or already had.4370)Number of visits to my journal so far,check back often and follow my journey, just don't judge me!5,000,000) Number of steps to get me from Springer Mtn. to Mt. Katahdin. That's about it, my head feels better already.