Date: 2008-09-23
To: Athens, GA
Miles today: 0.0

I got caught up in reading other folks' journal entries...one of those people being Waterbear. I am also updating the trailjournal for Skittles while he is on the CDT, so I find myself on trailjournals periodically for that reason.I have missed the trail. No surprise...or maybe it is to some of y'all. I don't recall if I updated on my section between Sam's Gap and Erwin, TN that I completed. Incase you were wondering, those of you who followed the entire way or who have read most of my journals, the section I had to bypass back in February due to nasty weather is now completed. I saw it to the end on August 13 and walked the 24 miles. I can now say, with absolute confidence, that I truly thru-hiked the entire AT. At the time, I had my friend, Blue, with me. I was ready to have it done. I did not realize how much it weighed on my mind that I did not have the 24 miles done...but it did matter to me and I am happy I saw it to completion. Vagus and I went for an overnight hiking/camping trip a week ago. We visited Linville Gorge in NC and it was beautiful. It was a great trip to be back outside and to have that time to catch up with him. I hadn't seen him since we departed from one another in North Adams, MA back in May. There is something to be said for the amount of time we spent together...the huge chunk of trail we walked together...the countless number of memories we have from the 3 months we shared. He is doing well...he looks good. He doesn't have his curls or his manly beard any longer. He wasn't wearing any synthetic clothing when we first reunited... STRANGE! It was funny to go camping though...with him, but not on the AT. I kept trying to wrap my mind around the weekend. It was a lot of fun!We would always make light of the weekend hikers we would cross who would cook ramen for their meals...we would laugh and state, "Weekend trips will call for steak or something good...not ramen!" So, when it came down to planning what we would cook for dinner for our one night, it was almost easier to pick ramen...but we had to be reminded of our attitude when we thru-hiked...and dreamt of the time we would have a weekend trip. So, we bought chicken, red bell pepper, onion, a lime, butter, havarti cheese, pesto, alphabet pasta, and red wine... we cooked the chicken and vegetables with butter in aluminum foil in the fire...and we topped it with cheese. The pasta and pesto went well together...cooked that on the fire, as well. It was fun!! It was good! Anyway, I could go on and on about it all.. I am probably headed to Stecoah Gap this weekend for a hiker feed...reuniting with Hopeful. There is the GAF sale at the NOC, as well. I hope to see One Flop there. I am currently in Athens. I am in need of a job...need to get stuff situated for classes in the Spring. Post Bac. Science classes are what I intend on taking....would like to go to med school. I feel awfully unorganized. I have my marathon at the end of October and I have been training for that...I am having the hardest time not having daily activities I HAVE to do. I like structure like that...as much as I like to be my own boss.. I am a discipline oriented person. So, I look forward to work and school again. Miss the simplicity of the trail life.. I can geniunely say that...and I mean it with my heart. I love looking at pictures and reminscing. I love talking with my trail family and bringing back the memories. I love the fact I can call that experience my own! WOW! Can't say enough about it..OK..I need to go run. Perhaps I can get some more pictures up here soon. actually, here are a couple of links to some of the photos I have uploaded online:http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2406638&l=7167c&id=4904675 Summit Dayhttp://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2406614&l=144d1&id=4904675 Mainehttp://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2406586&l=afcad&id=4904675 VT and NH