The Day Has Arrived...

Well, in a few short hours I'll be on a flight back to Virginia.

The time off the trail has been confusing at best as I've tried to understand the onslaught of emotions associated with the death of my mother and the accepting of the fact that I won't complete my hike to Maine this year. According to my original plans four years ago, I was to be summiting Kathadin 2 days from now, but as they say, life is what happens when you had other plans. Instead, I will be finishing at Harper's Ferry, West Virginia in six weeks. 1,000 miles, still an amazing feat, especially for someone like me who has had no hiking and limited camping experience previously.

This morning as I ready to go, I read a story on the CNN website with the title, "Jet passenger tries to open exit door in mid-flight." Apparently this guy in military fatigues started wacking out and punching the air and then got up and headed for the door. A flight attendant called for help and other passengers and air marshalls wrestled this guy into submission. Just the kind of excitement I need as I make my exit from Orlando, voted the angriest city in America.

I held my wife closely this morning and looked into her eyes. It won't be the first time I have left her during this journey and each time is exceedingly more difficult. Unlike previous times I have left her, I know specifically what lies ahead as far as challenges on the trail are concerned. And having spent 3 and a half months out in the wilderness already this year, I have really come to appreciate small and subtle comforts of home such as clean laundry, a shower more than once every 10 days, immediate access or fairly quick access to any type of food or drink I cold desire, and a comfortable and warm bug-free bed to sleep on. Mostly, I have come to appreciate my wife who has been so patient and understanding with me when most women would have booted me away many years ago. She is my heart and soul and I will miss her again.

Now you may be asking yourself, "why the hell would he want to go back out there then?" And to be honest, I've asked myself that a few times. But the truth is once I am out there, it is a feeling of freedom and of adventure to be out in the woods depending upon myself and my abilities to adjust and adapt to the challenges that living in nature brings. It's invigorating to come across a snake or a steep cliff knowing that I have to depend upon myself to get past these challenges. And on those days when it's raining and I'm soaked and yet still perspiring and basically miserable, that in a few days or whatever, I'll be dry and clean and comfortable again.

Sometimes it takes extreme personal challenge and discomfort to truly appreciate the gifts that we have and so often take for granted. Never again, for example, will I look at fresh water and the abundance of food we have and just pass it off as something we are just entitled to.

One more important thing. As of today, I have raised over $9,000 for the Russell Home for Atypical Children, which is almost half of my goal of $20,000. To those who have donated, I thank you, not only on behalf of the Russell Home, but because of your belief in me.

My plane leaves in a few hours. It's time to finish packing.

Muddyshoes