Date: 2004-03-09
To: Final Preparation Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Even before I¢ve set foot on the Trail, I have already experienced "trail magic." Trail magic is defined, generally, as unexpected acts of kindness towards hikers. Apparently, this is quite common along the Appalachian Trail. So, let me begin this entry by expressing my appreciation for trail magic already received.I need to thank my friend Drew for an REI gift certificate and also for being my transcriber for this journal. My friend Craig will also be available to post my journal entries onto TrailJournals.com.I¢d like to acknowledge my friend and former thru-hiker Mark for his planning assistance as well as Jan (LiteShoe) and Big Red for their inspirational journals.Much to my surprise, AWOL, GA => ME (class of 2003) is lending me his PocketMail for my trip. That will allow me to have this journal updated more regularly. I will do my best to add pictures to the corresponding pages later.I also need to thank my brother Tom, and his wife, Samantha, for their help as my support crew. They will be handling my mail drops and financial affairs while I¢m gone. I believe that I have made extensive preparations so that the any inconvenience to them is minimal. I hope to avoid worrying too much about ¢domestic issues¢ while I¢m away.Last year, I read journals posted to this web site, but while reading them, I had no idea where the daily destinations of these hikers were located. In other words, I could not visualize on a map where ¢so-and-so shelter¢ is located. What I hope to do is post a map of the Appalachian Trail every so often that shows my northbound progress with a red mark, like the map posted on this page. That way, a reader can get a general idea how far I¢ve traveled. Hopefully, I¢ll make it to Maine.Web page navigation on this site is somewhat confusing at first. Clicking on the ¢list¢ button on the top left of the screen will show you every destination where I¢ve stayed. Clicking on the ¢date¢ button will take you to a calendar layout allowing you to find out what my journal shows for a specific date. The drop down box will take you quickly to a chronological list of journal entries by date. The ¢gear¢ button will take you to a page that shows you the basics of what I¢ll be carrying.You might want to log in for a free reader account on this web site so that you can follow several other hikers. The main benefit is that you can bookmark what journal entries you have read and which ones are new. It¢s really quite fun to read and better than ¢reality¢ television. Here is a list of people who are currently hiking this year. In a few days I will be on the road, driving towards Amicalola Falls State Park, near Dawsonville, Georgia, to start on March 15th. Most likely, this will be my last preparation entry before I start.I know what to expect for a five-day backpacking trip, but I have no clue about what to expect on a six-month backpacking trip. I can hardly comprehend that. Most likely the first two weeks will be "culture shock" of some sort. I will post my thoughts about it on this website as I go along. Sometimes I wonder what I¢m getting into, but I¢ll roll with it . . . at least I have a clearly defined goal: to get to Mt. Katahdin, but more importantly, have a good time along the way.Wish me luck and success Keep me safe with your prayersFeed the hiker