Date: 2003-03-10
To: Thanks for the Support
Miles today: 0.0

At the risk of totally sounding like an Oscar Award Winner, I wanted to throw out some thank yous to people. Why? Because I realized how blessed and lucky I am to have these folks in particular in my life. Despite some having fears and skepticism about my journey, they are all throwing support behind my trip. And everyone to a different degree, from encouragement, to making plans to meet me along the way¢¦it all means so much. Those who have offered encouragement, courage and strength to me: Corey, Drew, Frankie, Chava, Gary, Ryan, Sujay, Doug, Eric, Mary, Amanda, David, Patrick, Robert, Uncle Steve and Travis just to name a few (in addition to all those who come below)To those who ask questions about how it all works, because it shows you care: Sherita, Monica, Tim, Christina L, Gloria, Simone, Tatiana, Marina, Sandra, Judy, Amy and LuisThere are people who have taken me in over the last month, provided me with a place to stay, so that I could save rent money towards my trip: Christina and Rob, Bridget and Melissa, Catherine and Beth, Tracy and David, and Corey¢s house for dinner. In that way, you¢ve continued to give me the opportunity for success on the trail. There are people who are allowing me to provide them with my first hand experience out on the trail so that they may live a little vicariously through me: Play-doh, Gary, Sue M., Bridget¢s Uncle Ray, and I guess some other folks that may decide to follow my Trail Journal closely.And there are folks that have gotten me this far. Those who introduced me to the idea a Long time ago ¢ Deb and Don McCoy and Catherine. Those who bought in to the idea when it was fleeting thought in my mind last summer. Uncle Ray for taking me hiking in the White Mountains last fall; that was a reminder that if I didn¢t get out and hike now, I¢d miss seeing far too much of the world. Everyone I met at the Gathering in West Virginia last October ¢ because you really sealed the deal. Play-doh for his words of wisdom, for giving me the last increment of confidence I needed to take on this journey and for my hiking stick training. Regan and Art because we¢ve been partners on the path to making these dreams of our realities. Gary for taking me to the RUCK so I could learn even more. And everyone on the HikersRus listserv for ideas, suggestions and tons of moral support. The folks who will help see me through my completion, because you¢ve made plans to come out and see me at some point along the way: Jessica, Caroline P., Frankie, Bridget, Gary, Ruby, Swan, Jeff, Catherine, Uncle Ray, and others of you who aren¢t sold yet ¢ but I WILL get you committed!!! And I have to thank my mom and dad, who regardless of all their fears and uncertainty about what shroud of mystery surrounds the trail, have agreed to help support me financially by footing the bill for my health insurance and car payment while I¢m away. They¢re also acting as my support people for maildrops. My brother, for his part, will help me by posting to this website as necessary and training our parents to do it if his summer job makes him unable to fulfill his duties. I was chatting with some people I met in a coffee shop the other day; as the conversation turned from ghosts to spirits to angels, one gentleman said that we each have thousands of angels. I know I¢ve got mine in the friends and family that support me, and I thank you all and will think of you often.