Date: 2012-02-14
To: The Mental Game
Miles today: 0.0

I knew early on this hike was a great mind game, even greater than the beating my body will endure. I had absolutely no idea the mind game would start long before my body reaches Georgia. The mind game is comparable to facing off with a steaming locomotive, Head-On! Things will happen, and have all the appearance of something trying to stop my hike. Example; Time to get my jeep registration again. Go to buy it but I cannot until I pay a civil fine from 2004. What? Apparently their records show I had not paid for being served divorced papers by the sheriff's department in 2004(this is 2012 right?). Oh yeah, it is $363.00, and then I can buy my tags. My address is on there, my current cell number? I asked why did you not call me, write me? The (person), and that was nicest word I could utter here, said with nose in air, "we don't do that". How the heck does one know they have a bill if they are not billed? Dumbfounded!??Anyways, it is not about the tags, it is a stumbling block to see if my mind is ready to face anything the AT throws at me. This is the year I get to hike the AT. I have received wonderful information from park officials, airlines, trains, and buses on Lakota having full access. The only place left to contact is Baxter State Park.This is birthday week for my 4 children. My beautiful twin daughters, Rachel & Amber, hit the big 23!. Kyle will hit the 19 mark tomorrow, and Dillon made that magic 14 on the 12th. I still am in awe that all my 4 children have their b-days in the same week. I wish you all the best of life in your journey's.The mind game has great powers. I find myself wondering about a 17 year old Jeep with 180,000 miles on her. She runs just fine........ It is these times I realize all I can do is look at the situation and find another plan to get me to Georgia. It isn't about what can stop me, but how I overcome and get my feet on the AT.Been fighting a flu bug along with all this mind crap. Lakota looks at me wanting to hike. I joke with Lakota that soon he will look at dad and wonder when will he stop! 2,181 miles my friend. Figure it's better getting this years variety of bug now than on the AT.Lakota will carry from 8-10 lbs. in his pack. I think that is light enough to keep from causing him injury of any kind. He will have his food, his brush, his vitamin A&D cream, boots, brush, harness, and credentials. He will eat what I eat most times. Mr. Lakota will be burning calories also! He will eat Mac n Cheese with me, I will bring some high protein cat food for him. He loves rice and flat bread, and peanut butter. Having a service dog has been the most wonderful teacher and experience in my life. He is there for me 100%. He always looks out for me. Some days I walk the stairs very slowly and he watches and patiently makes the way with me. He is so caring. His needs simple. I envy him. Hope you like the pick of him laying on his back in my arms. He is 93 lbs., not a lap dog. He is awesome!What I wanted to share was what to expect before you even touch the AT. It will not be easy, nor a close relative of easy. When one wishes to enter this struggle, don't be afraid, go on offense! It is a struggle worth winning. Peace Out