Date: 2003-12-18
To: Why I want to hike the AT. . .
Miles today: 0.0

This journal is designed to let our friends and family keep track of our successful hike of the entire AT or our dismal failure somewhere in Georgia. The only advantage of an early failure would be that Howie and Virginia are anticipating it and will be in a local hotel awaiting a phone call. I am only joking, I hope. Today is a perfect example of what is driving me to such an strong desire to walk in the wilderness for six months. When I arrived at the train station in Baltimore to take my train home, I found out that all trains South of Washington, DC are cancelled due to a freight train derailment. I took a cab to the Greyhound station, but found out that the earliest train would arrive in Richmond six hours later. So, I took a cab to BWI. On the way to the airport, I found out that my friend Tom Barr was in Reston today on business. I called him and he said he would wait on me to get there and then give me a ride to Richmond. So now I am on another train headed to Union Station where I will catch a ride on some type of moving vehicle to somewhere in Reston. Then I will catch a cab to our company's headquarters to hook up with Tom just in time to drive right into the DC rush hour traffic. I NEED A BREAK!!!! Six months walking through the mountains sounds about right.For people who are trying to read our journal and are not part of our family or circle of friends, I will explain the cast of characters involved in this adventure as I go. So far you have virtually met:Lisa Letchworth: "Don't Mind" This is the love of my life and my best chance of making it to Maine. I am confidant that nothing will beat her down. Her Scottish and German heritage won't allow it.Kit Letchworth: "Don't Matter" This is me. Roger Scott: Introduced yesterday and is in charge of maintaining this journal. I will be mailing my journal to Roger at each resupply point and he will attempt to decipher my hand writing and type it in here. He is a friend and fellow hiking enthusiast.Howie Price: One of my oldest and bestest friends on the whole planet. He believes, and will tell anyone who asks, that we will never leave Georgia on foot. He also recommended that my wife not marry me and we have been happily married for over twenty years! So what does he know?Virginia Price: Howie's way better half. Virginia and I have known each other since first grade. She and Lisa have become close friends and partners in the crimes of shopping and decorating. Howie and I just lay low and watch our environment evolve around us. Howie, his lovely wife, Lisa and I usually vacation together and we are going to miss them greatly during this walk. I am sure that we will turn to talk to them many times along the way and be surprised that they are not with us. They have agreed, well Virginia has, to drive us down to Georgia and walk the first few tentative steps with us. After that, we are on our own.Tom Barr: My friend and business partner. He is responsible for my being able to afford to take this break. His professional ability has carried me for years and now I am leaving him to fend for himself. What a great friend I am!Well the train is pulling into the station so that is it for today.Don't Matter