Date: 2010-02-13
To: Nearly 2 years later.
Miles today: 0.0

It is hard to believe that it has been a year and 4 months since I stood on the summit of Mt.Katahdin. In less than 7 weeks, two years will have passed since I took my first steps on the AT.In truth, not a single day has passed that my thoughts haven't been filled with memories of my thru-hike. If anything, the yearning to live free, freer than I have ever been and know that feeling of absolute peace, seems to have only grown stronger. I now fully understand why so many before me have expressed going through a deep depression after the trail. There is nothing that compares to that amazing experience. Nothing can even come close!I have recently been suffering the symptoms of "Springer Fever".A terrible affliction that eats away at you. Subtle at first, then increases it's intensity, until you are overcome and almost completey unable to function.I have nearly the same excitement building inside me as I did this time 2 years ago. Just knowing and/or remembering that in only 6 weeks, the Journey did and/or could begin. It wouldn't take much to prod me into doing it again.The only known cure is to stand on Springer Mountain, breathe in the air and live from your pack. My only question right now, is will I ever live like this again? God I hope so...I pretty much have lived my life in an accelerated way. I seem to have crammed many different experiences into one life. That wasn't the plan, but rather just the way things worked out. Hmmm... Another cross-road, which trail to take from here?2009 was a difficult year. It was October before I landed another job. These have been truly unusual times. The greatest upside however, came in June. This is when Sprite & Freckles came up from North Carolina to see me.I can't even begin to tell you how wonderful that was.It was like old times being together again. It was so natural, and as if not a single day had passed. Sprite had just bought a new 6-Moon Design tent. We set it up, then Sprite went inside while I gave it the hose test. That paled in comparison as to what the AT would dish out, however, it would tell her what she needed to know? Freckles and I played with the tensioning until we had it just right.The time together was waaaayy to short. On one hand is was down right cruel. Yet on the other, it was a magical gift, AT style.It hurt even worse than it did before, when we had to say goodbye. Fortunately we said until..? A couple of weeks later, Y & Vigil Auntie came to visit as well. They were doing a cross-country road trip and it was good for the soul to see them again.I have also stayed in touch with the Okies, Rawhide & Maverick. We call each other from time to time and live for the day when we can actually meet up again. I have spoken to "Top Shelf" on occassion and hope that I can see him when he comes home to visit his folks in Michigan, just a couple of hours away.Unfortunately, I have not heard from Springloaded. I wish you well my brother where ever you are? I would like for our paths to cross again.In August, I lost a long time friend of 28 years, My buddy Don Stauffer. It was Don who had given me the watch I wore on my journey. Everytime I checked the time or watched the barometer, I was reminded of him.Don came to visit me from Texas at the same time Sprite & Freckles were here.I was glad they were able to meet each other. It was only a few weeks later that I received the call from Don's daughter Tara. I went home to Indianapolis for his memorial service. Take care ole' buddy.   This was a sobering reminder that we are only here for a short time. I couldn't help but comparing our regular daily lives to the lessons learned from the Trail.It is all about the journey and what fills the pages in between from beginning to end. Once again, Hiker Wisdom and Backpack Philosophy come to mind. Everything you really need in life can be carried in a pack. Everything else is just extra weight that doesn't need to be carried. And if you have everything you need, then you have it all.Unfortunately, the better days have past of feeling totally indestructable. And that I have plenty of time to do whatever I wish to? Despite knowing I still have many Mountains left in me, I also know that there are no guarantees to climb them. The thought of how to spend the rest of my life seems to be re-surfacing more frequently?I seem to be pulled in 2 opposite directions. On one hand, there is the normal structured life we all know. However, climbing the corporate ladder, or acquiring "stuff" has long since lost any appeal to me.(Been there done that). Plus the thought of being expected to slow down when I am ready to Revv-up for new adventure is alarming to me. The other side however, is my adventure side. The side I have always loved the most! I guess that is the source of the appeal to shoulder a pack and venture to adventure! Nothing excites me more than these type of experiences.I have always had difficuly with conformity and being forced into another's mold. Although I can adapt to most anything, I have a problem with understanding and accepting, Why I should? My decision is ever hanging in the balance. Any way, I am sure I am not alone on this one.Perhaps our paths will cross, see you down the trail...Papa Sarge