Date: 2005-03-07
To: Encouragement & Support
Miles today: 0.0

This weekend was my Graduation/Going Away Party.This weekend set the trail's start in my mind, and it couldn't have been a better kick off... I am finally beginning to realize how close this journey actually is, and although I don't actually step foot on the trail for another 24 days, the start of this thing has definitely begun.I was extremely touched by the support and encouragement that my family made known to me this weekend. The party begun Saturday at around 5:30, and I was immediately shocked at the number of people that were already there by 5:30. More and more people kept pouring in and I couldn't believe it when the whole entire second floor of the house was full with family and friends. (The rental house we're staying in until our house gets rebuilt from the fire is on Belknap Beach. The main part of house, kitchen, etc is on the second floor), My mom sent out the invitations and took care of all of the details of the party, so I really didn't know how many people were planning on coming, and so with each extra face that popped through the door, I was happier and happier.For the past month, I have been going through my favorite video documentary on the Appalachian Trail titled, 'Trek', to decide upon a few chapters of the DVD to show everyone so they could get a better idea of the actual trail. I showed it at dinner, and everyone really paid close attention. After the DVD, I brought out my pack to show everyone the gear that I had been talking about for nearly one and a half years now. I¢ll say that without a doubt, the one piece of gear that intrigued people the most was my MSR Miox water purifier.It meant a lot to me, that everyone seemed to really care. It was a lot of fun, and there was a lot of laughter that night. The trail is the most important aspect of my life right now, and it¢s nice to get to share it with family.The clincher that set the night off for me was a surprise that I got right after I was done presenting my gear and the video to everyone.My mom, sister, and my friend Stephanie have been secretly making a video about my life up until this point. They surprised me with it after I finished showing off my gear and I soon as it started, I realized how extremely funny, humorous and touching it was going to be. I was amazed at how good of a job they did, especially since I thought a lot of my childhood pictures had been lost in the fire.What made it extremely special was the fact that at the end of the video, there is also a large collection of family videos that they edited together for me that are all special to me.It was so nice sitting there, watching and laughing at the first 24 years of my life, including everything from my cute as a button toddler years, to those goofy awkward preteen years, to my crazy high school days, to the recent life of mine where cycling has taken over my existence, (along with the trail, of course!). As well as the video scrapbook that they made me, my sister went around to everyone that evening with the video camera and got advice and words of wisdom from everyone for me before I go. My personal favorites were my uncle Bobby¢s words of wisdom, which were basically, ¢My odds are against you! I don¢t think you¢ll make it all the way!¢ as well as ¢Stay Dry¢ from several people, (I will definitely do my best to do that)! My brother¢s words of advice were also pretty funny, ¢Come Back!¢ implying that there was a chance I would choose not to come back to this place for some reason!My parents gave me very nice toast and my father¢ speech was very nice and as well, it had everyone laughing when he finished it off with the following addendum to the speech; ¢The second toast is to Barbara and I, who after thirty years, finally have no tuitions to pay. We were planning on having a tuition burning ceremony, but with our recent luck of house fires, we are just going to tear it up, and flush it!¢Thanks everyone for the support. I am thankful for the opportunity to share this important part of my life with you all, because I need the support and encouragement to finish! Thanks for caring!Take it easy everyone,Do something to make yourself happy!Life is short! P.S.- Oh Yeah! For the first time in about two years, I ate cake! I usually don't eat ANYTHING, and I mean ANYTHING, with ANY sugar or fat!I need to put on some weight before the hike, this isn't like cycling, I can't watch my diet that closely on the trail like during cycling season, so fat will need to be reintroduced to my diet!