Date: 2008-02-05
From: Mount Katahdin, ME

To: Pennsylvania
Miles today: 0.0

Many thanks...The Appalachian Trail is not the solitary endeavor that many believe it to be. Just the opposite, for I could not have finished this journey on my own. I am thankful for the support, love and encouragement of my wonderful family and friends. They may have believed at first, and possibly even to this day, that I was off my rocker on another of my crazy ventures. True. They may have questioned what the heck I was getting myself into. Me too. They may have wondered when I would settle down and act my age. Point taken. They were definitely concerned with my safety and well-being. Quite legitimate. But never once did they give up on me. Never once did they believe I wouldn¢t make it. Never once did they deny me what I asked them for¢¦again.Like my parents. Can you come pick me up in 45 minutes? Sure. Would you keep track of my finances while I¢m gone? OK. Will you be proud of me when I finish? Yes, but don¢t tell anyone. I have certainly not followed a traditional path of success that most parents hope for their children. But they have never doubted me or my abilities and instead have encouraged me to go after whatever makes me happy.Everyone who hikes the AT should have a brother like mine, for he was single-handedly the most reliable and organized behind-the-scenes supporter I could ask for. I commandeered his garage, possibly a guy¢s most sacred private space, with tables of pre-addressed priority boxes, plastic bins of extra camping gear, and lists of detailed instructions. I called him at all hours of the day to please send me random items immediately. I changed my schedule, and therefore his lists of detailed instructions, umpteen times. Yet every single box or random item showed up at the right place at the right time. No opportunity to blame the post office, I had everything I needed when I needed it, thanks to his diligent efforts.People I didn¢t even know, never even met, will likely never see again, offered their love and support the length of the trail. Trail angels seemed to appear out of nowhere to help hikers just when we most needed it. We had nothing to give in return to these most generous of hearts, yet they continued to give. From rides into town, food along the road, lake houses in Vermont, prayers for the weary, I am still overwhelmed by their beneficence. Hiking the Appalachian Trail has restored my faith in the human spirit and the kindness of humanity.Although the hiking, living out of a backpack, and existing in the woods for months at a time have their draw, these are not what I will most remember or treasure about the Appalachian Trail. It is all about the people, the community of thru-hikers, that make the trail what it is. I will never forget the times spent with my boys Renaissance Man, Biscuits, Gojo, and Many Names; my soccer stars No Problem and Mr. Easy; my best friends Dirty Blonde and Backbend; my hitch-hiking trail buddies Larry and Brue; my trail sister Splendora and trail brother Shanty; my trail romance Rebel. I would love to see them all again, but if not, I will always have the memories. Thanks to all who have made the AT the unbelievable experience it has been. I couldn¢t have done it, wouldn¢t have wanted to do it, without you.