Date: 2007-11-16
From: Athens

To: Shout Outs and Thank You's
Miles today: 0.0

Hello and thanks to all who have kept up with my adventures here on the trailjournals website. As you can see, I haven't updated my thru-hike since the end of August when I was in Glenclif, New Hampshire, but I thought I'd post this and let you all know that I did summit Katahdin on October 5th, 2007, thus completing my thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. I summitted with Tenacious T, Genesis, Mate, Coach, Snakecharmer, Chaco, Candyman, Persistent, Ronin, and Melk. It was one of the most incredible days -- the weather was perfect and the climb up was exhilarating. When I got to the top I ran through a gauntlet of emotions. While I was happy I didn't have to do any more hiking, I was extremely sad that I'd be closing the book on the best experience I've ever had in my life. I'd like to say thanks first and foremost to my parents, my brother David, and my sister Katie. I have a huge list of friends to thank as well, I hope I don't forget anybody, but here goes, in no particular order...Bill McAuliffe, Cat Brantley, Dot Brantley, Mary Beth Brantley, Beano Varner, Tina Murray, Whitney Reeves, Meghan Sweet, Anton MacFarland, Kyle Tuttle, Joe Thomas, Scott Dudley, Lucy Morgan, Berkeley Boone, Kristi Hughes, Dan Murphy, Anna Sittig, Edwin Hanks, Taylor Sproull, Nick I don't konw your last name, Liz Williams, Matthew and Deborah Ballard, Molly and Mike McAuliffe, Ryan Schweck, Brian Hoffman, Eric and Laura and Jack and Luke Lenaus, Jacob Dickerson and Lauren Melton, Brad and Gale Jones, John and Kat Ballard, Kim and Elliott Smith, Ken and Melanie and Allie and Cara and Jacob Struble, Liz and Joel Kidd, Nick and Kim Ader, Rock and Robin Dake, John and Mary B Hall, Amanda Brennan, Farr Prickett, Anna Claire Davis, Alex Cheek, Liz Mester, Mike I don't know your last name either, Litzie Hassell, Lauren Gellatly, Ann Marie Jordan, Matt Jordan, Griffin Hockswender, Hall Sprott, Jason Baxley, Darby Long, Richard vinyl, Bryan Schroeder, James Schroeder, Danielle Bonner, Brian Foster, Ben Kmack, Phil Kmack, Mark Binford, Paul Binford, Stacy something something, Torbin Vining, Ryan and Jen Chapman, Jess and Katie and Aaron Lawrence, Jess Newfield, Lauren Quinn, Sam Parvin, Sam McGaughey, Temple Moore, Tim Lytle, Johanna and Andre Gallant, Julia Paluch, Molly Bagby, and of course, Father Ozier. I'm thankful I have so many friends to thank for your support while I was on the trail, thanks everybody. As for people I met out on the trail -- I don't have a list so if I forget you I apologize, but here goes, again in no order...C-shot, Tenacious T, Genesis, Mate, Kimchi, Coach, Walkin' Will, Chaco, JAKE, Dragon McAwesomeface, Blackfoot, Keymaster, G, Treework, Grizzle, Candy Bar, Tater, Bigby, Dirty, Birdstar, Tuna Bag, Chach, Lightweight, Popeye, Dingo, Chef, The Hobbitts -- Pinball Wizard, Ranger Gord, and Friar Tuck -- Nutella, Gazelle, Caboosy, Blue, The Chocolate Bandito Yo, Stonewall, Miss Janet, Brave Friend, Dragon Slayer, Park Bench, Sanford, Melk, Ronin, Persistent, Yellow Snowman, Leatherneck, Rob of the Birdcage, The Rosesniffers, Tom of Baird's General Store, Bump!, Rex, Radar, Loose Bruce, MD Edge, Peach, Lion, Murphy, Whiskers, Lady and the Tramp, Ranger, Stone Age, Hop.A.Long and the rest of that gang I hiked with in Maine for a couple days, and of course Big Brother and Rebel With A Cause, who I owe many thanks for helping me figure out what the hell I was doing out there. I know I'm forgetting a few people and I apologize if your name is not included.THANK YOU!!!!!-Sir BoognishGA-ME '07