Date: 2004-06-07
From: A vacation from the vacation - Bay City, MI

To: Bay City, Michigan
Miles today: 0.0

Tonight is my last night at my folk's place in Bay City. It has been a restful time away from the trail, but I'm eager to return to the AT.I've come to realize that while the trail has given me insights into my personality and ability to adapt, it hasn't really and probably isn't going to dramatically change my life as I expected it would. Before I started, I truly had a picture in my head of me, completely broken down and on the verge of mental and physical collapse. I imagined being at the point where my next decision would either land me back in the real world, or push me on to another day of pain, struggle and eventually perseverance.A good friend of mine, Swiss Miss, once described me as wanting to "see without searching". I believe she was right on in her perception of me. I DID want to be transformed by the trail, with no real determination to take part in my own transformation. I feel like my first two months out there were worthwhile, but I have definitely not squared my shoulders to the challenge that is still before me. I wish I could define and elaborate on this challenge for people, but at this point I have a hard time getting my mind around it, much less words. The simplest way (with very complex implications) I can think of to describe it is that I am seeking life; to find out what it means to be truly alive.It was great seeing everyone at home these past weeks, but I'm disappointed that I didn't get to take a trip to Northern Michigan as I dreamt I would. I feel the urge to join the rest of the USA and gripe about gas prices, but I will supress it. I hope they all know that I've been thinking of them and am looking forward to seeing them in September or October when I return.I didn't overhaul my mail drop schedule as I had intended, but I did change how they were packed. I will not be counting on my mail drops as my only form of resupply for this portion of my trip. I plan to supplement a portion from nearby supermarkets, if possible. So all of my stops are the same as they were before. I apologize to those folks who sent care packages to Troutdale - I was there a little early. You should see them returned to you 10 days or so after they arrived...sorry...I'll try to keep this website updated if I am moving slower or faster than planned.Here are the high points from my time off: - My best buddy, Rob asked his girlfriend Jennifer to marry him and she said yes! I got to videotape the whole thing and had a great time car-camping with them. - I got to see my three nieces. For the oldest's birthday party, we went to a nearby petting zoo where I found out that I'm a natural at milking cows. I actually always knew I had it in me. - I saw my brother graduate from high school AND celebrated his 19th birthday with him. He will be planning a Canadian road-trip soon, I believe... - I bowled a 151 with my friend, Jennifer, and beat her pretty badly (that game). She doesn't have an excuse, because I haven't really used my arms in about two months. :-) I'm fairly certain that she will be practicing quite a bit for our rematch...I will be back in Virginia by tomorrow afternoon and carting that pack north again soon. My gear is freshly cleaned and "Summer-ized" and my pack is weighing a slim 40 lbs, which includes 5 lbs of water. I must be missing something...