Date: 2015-08-14
From: Katahdin Summit

To: Chapel Hill, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

On our last night Obsolete and I celebrated our finish with clean clothes, showers and several dinner entrees at our hotel in Bangor. We relived our hike, what it meant to us along with the challenges, joys and fun that occurred along the way. In less than five months we experienced and created memories to last a lifetime. Obsolete and I met on a shuttle bus to Springer Mountain, GA on March 17. With the exception of about four weeks when our schedules deviated we hiked the trail together. I could not have asked for a better person in which to share the trail.   I was able to have the solitude I sought along with the camaraderie of a friend. Most days our pace started together and then slowly separated. We ended up in the same place within an hour or so. I¢ll miss our discussions, which ranged from Bit Coin to human trafficking to recommend movies to watch post trail. Obsolete gave the gift of service to everyone on the trail. I was the biggest beneficiary of his kindness. I cant¢ tell you how many of my trekking poles he fixed in addition to the two dozen he had done for other hikers. He repaired my shoes twice. My adventure was richer because of him. I¢ll look forward to reliving our stories again with him in the future. Thank you Obsolete for your friendship.The day after summiting we were up early despite the firm beds and feathered pillows. It was a beautiful day for travel by foot, auto or air. It was difficult to believe that our journey had come to an end. We had breakfast together and said our good byes as I left first for the airport for my fight home. Ours was a joyous departing. Grateful for our AT experience, new friends and excited to get home to our families. My flight connected through LaGuardia. In my pre AT career I flew every week commuting to other cities from my home in NC. I always expected delays in NYC and I got one today. I used the time wisely and did what any hiker would do, have an early lunch. Waiting for my plane in a crowded airport, I was already missing the solitude and nature of the trail. My pre AT days were quick to intrude on my tranquility.A businessman had the window seat next to me. His phone was against his ear with one hand typing on his computer as he worked to finish up tasks before the flight took off. The flight attendant reminded him to put his electronics on airplane mode. He was hurried. We must have looked like opposites sitting together. He was in a suit without a tie. I was in my hiking clothes (clean!) and scruffy beard. In fact just five months ago I was he. The contrast was not lost on me. I reflected on what I learned from my AT adventure.I had three intentions for my Thru-hike. To have a ritual that would celebrate this time in my life, to become closer to the Divine through solitude, nature and people and to have an adventure to play, have fun and find the joy inside of me. These intentions helped sustain me when I was tired, wet and home sick. These three intentions were the reasons that I was on the trail. Five months on the AT fulfilled these goals. However it happened in a way that I did not expect. There were no revelations. Slowly over time I simply became more of who I am. Or I should say I gained insights into the true me. Somewhat like spring evolving during my travel through GA, NC and TN I gained a deeper understanding of what is important in my life.   No ¢big¢ ideas surfaced about the future or what I might do next. Perhaps something more important was planted to bear fruit later.Obsolete wisely said, ¢The Appalachian Trail ploughs fertile ground. ¢ These past five months have done that for me. Being in nature for an extended period of time made me malleable and receptive to being different and doing different. I¢ve been tilled, fertilized and prepared. It is now up to me to plant the seeds. Cultivating, nurturing and harvesting to live a purposeful life is my next journey.The lack of distractions and noise allowed for clarity of what¢s important in my life. The sounds, smell and felling of nature cleansed me. It will take time and space away from the AT for me to really understand my lessons learned but here are a few.        Family and friends¢ how much I love my wife, Ingrid and our children. They are the joy of my life.         Humanity ¢ I received unconditional kindness and hospitality on the AT each and every day.   It is my belief that the Divine is in each of us. I experienced the Divine each day through others.         Trust - The trail always provided no matter what my plans. I let go of my detailed planning and control letting life happen. It was difficult and scary. The result was always...yes always better than my original plan. I¢ve learned that I¢ve been limiting the joy in my life by trying to manage every bit of it. The world is much bigger than my plans and I want to be a part of it.It was a privilege for me to Thru-hike the AT. Thanks to all of you who have joined me on my journey. Your notes and support meant so much to me on the trail. I had the pleasure to meet some of you. It was a delight. If you are considering a Thru-hike and I can help please send me an e-mail through Trail Journals.My thanks to the ATC, the volunteers, maintenance crews, trail angels, trail magic, trail towns, hostels and the kind people I met along the way. You made the experience special. Each of you brought something unique that gives the AT it¢s character and life.To my fellow hikers. It was a pleasure to get to know you and spend time on the trail with you. The Divine shined in you. My gratitude to Obsolete and Ox. My experience is richer because of you. Thanks.To my children who were my biggest cheerleaders. Your kind words, messages and text meant more to me than you will ever know. I love you.To Ingrid who was my most passionate supporter. I could not call myself a Thru-hiker without her unconditional love and support. She knew what I needed even when I didn¢t. I¢m the luckiest man in the world.When I arrived at the airport I was greeted by Ingrid and my daughter Christina who held a big welcome home sign with a painting of a caboose and the AT. We celebrated with a home cooked dinner, good drink and stories from the last five months. Hugging them gave me the final sense of completion. My adventure was now done. My best wishes to all of you on your journeys. Thank you for joining me on mine. Now I¢m off to my next adventure¢¦home!