Date: 2010-10-23
To: One Month Later
Miles today: 0.0

It has been just under one month since I finished the trail so I figured I would just kind of update everyone on how I'm doing. I remember last year at this time when I was starting to get ready for the big hike I loved reading about what happened to everyone after they finished so I figured I would continue the trend. So, my dad picked me up from Millonocket, ME the day after I summited ye olde Katahdin. We drove back to Maryland where I stayed and sat on the couch. I literally put my pack down on the porch and walked inside and sat down. I think my parents understood that I just needed time off from being on my feet and to gather my brain again before I hit the real world. I basically sat there, watched tv, toodled around on the computer, and had no real responsibilities. I just had no motivation to do anything. It was like I was mentally tired and I didn't want to go anywhere. In fact, my car was there as I had driven it from TX to MD before the trip yet it took me over a week before I even drove it (my dad had left the back window down and parked it under a pine tree so the back seat was covered in pine needles...wet pine needles at that). I basically just sat there. I did a few activities but nothing of the all day sorts.On October 6th, I started my car trip back to Texas. My first stop was Roanoke, VA at the Dillards house. The Dillards were the family that took me in when I walked through VA so it was nice to see them. We had a party for Karen's birthday and I met her brother Keith and her sister-in-law, Lori. We had a lot of fun. The next day, Karen and Byron took me to Lexington, VA where we went to Stonewall Jackson's house. "Um, yeah, you went to a museum?" Yes, and I absolutely love history so it was a blast. We also went to VMI (Virginia Military Institute) and saw what that was all about. I really enjoyed seeing the Dillards. On Friday, the 8th, I left Roanoke and headed for Lexington, KY.My college buddies and I had picked the weekend of October 9th as our annual "meet up" weekend. It was nice. I stayed with my old roommate, Kevin and his wife Brittany in their beautiful home. Also joining us was Steve and his wife, Amanda. We spent the weekend going to the horse races at Keeneland and then to the almost upset of Auburn (football game for those of you that aren't into UK sports). It was great to see all of our other friends. Most have grown up and some have not (apparently I was the only one there without a wife or kid hahaha). I stayed a few extra days in Lexington and then proceeded my journey on to Knoxville, TN.I got to Knoxville on October 12th. On the 13th, I visited Jennifer and her family. These were awesome people I met while I was in the Smokies on my hike. For the rest of my thru hike Jennifer sent me packages loaded with tons of food and other goodies. I stayed with her father, Kenny, and his wife Rhonda. They were very hospitable and I got to see Knoxville....even Neyland Stadium, home of the Volunteers (it was tough walking into enemy territory). I enjoyed every minute with them and it was great to see them.Finally, on October 14th, I drove from Knoxville to Plano, Texas where I am staying with a friend. The drive took me about 13 hours and it was quite boring. When I was right on the Arkansas (pronounced Ark Kansas) and Texas line I was in my driving-not-paying-attention zone when I looked over at a convertible next to me. In this topless vehicle were two college age dudes taking a picture of me and my glorious beard. Wow!   So since the 14th, I've been in Texas. Below is a just a list of whats going on in my life relate-able to my post-thru hike experiences:How do I feel since finishing? I still feel kind of lost to be honest with you. I spent an entire year preparing for this trip. I spent hundreds of hours preparing my website, talking to people, going into CCA, and just getting ready. Now, all of that is kind of gone. I had a ton of support while on the trail and now I'm back on my own (with God, of course). I want to find a way to continue my journal and my videos so that people are interested but I haven't yet.   Are you still helping out with CCA? Heck yeah! I've gone in there twice since I've been back. I love going in there and seeing the new students. The first time I went there we went to the barbershop as a school and they shaved my beard. They have since saved the hair so that they can do science experiments with it. They are convinced there are living organisms in it haha. Anyways, I have so many good things that I can do to contribute. I want to start a sports program so that we can further with these students school pride. The students love sports and I feel that God has placed that in my heart so that I can provide for them. Its going to take some time but I will make it happen.So, what do you do now? I got a job with my old company. I work in a different department for more money. Thanks to Steve and Micaela who helped me with that. Yes, I will be in a cubicle all day but since I'm making more money I will be able to provide more for stuff like the students sports program and various other activities. Also, I'm going to play at least one more season of football. I have found a few teams in the area so hopefully I won't get cut. I always tell coaches that every team needs a good backup quarterback.Hows your body? Um, yeah, slowly but surely getting back. I tried running a few times since I've been back. Totally not happening right this second. Utter knee pain in my left knee. Honestly, I think I just need to strengthen my tendons. I didn't really have knee pain while I was on the trail...it was just when I got off that it hurt. That tells me I just need to stretch and strengthen thine legs. Thanks to Cyndi I was able to get a gym membership so I can start putting my weight back on. I lost 50 pounds. I started at 230 lbs and finished at 180 lbs. So far, I'm almost up to 190 lbs and I want to be about 200 lbs before I stop trying to gain weight. So, what now? Right this second, I'm going to start working, make some money, and immerse myself in trying to serve. I fully believe that we are on this planet to serve one another so why not show it?? I want to continue volunteering with CCA and maybe getting some of those students involved with my football team and helping out. My life is probably going to be pretty simple for the time being.Whats the next dream you have??? Well, I would love to do a trip in 2012 of some kind. I would love to bike across the country or something like the PCT. But thats all going to depend. One of these days I will find me a girl and we are going to get married and maybe have kids. I can't wait to do that but at the same time theres no rush. So, if that doesn't happen, then I'll do one of those other crazy adventures. I would also love to write a book about my adventures and donate all of the profits. Who knows though because I do not have the slightest clue on how to write a book and what it entails. I know that you only read the cliff notes of my entire journey compared to what I could add so maybe that would make for an interesting book. However, I've been told by numerous people that the last thing this world needs is another AT book. Oh well. I don't need to profit from this book as I have already profited in ways that money can not touch. Therefore, I would want to donate the money to make sure other kids could follow their dreams someday. Crazy? No, not if you know me.There you have it. The real simple version of the last month. I still feel really lost without the trail and sort of lonely at times but I'll get over it. I got a job, I've got football, I've got CCA, and most importantly, I've got God. I will continue serving the community and hopefully get married one day hahaha so that I can have little ones running around. One last thing, please, feel free to reach out to me. I have received a ton of responses from future thru hikers and anyone else that was interested in my story. I am always available to respond to questions. I never get sick of talking about my life changing journey and there is never a "stupid" question. So please, feel free to talk to me (it keeps the journey going for me in a way).My journey was based on this: Luke 1:37 For nothing is impossible with God.