Time has a way of getting away from a person…and blog/vlog updates simply fall behind.  For that, I apologize!

I am still on trail, with the intention of completing the Trail by mid-September.  My body and spirit are happy and healthy.  I’m not going to lie…there are times that I just want to be done.  I am ready to come home.  But a good friend once told me…the Trail isn’t going to hike itself.  So to be a thru-hiker, you have to finish.

The Trail continues to be a challenge.  It feels like I’m confronted with new obstacles every day.  Whether it’s foot killing rocks, boulders that have to be climbed, steep ascents and descents, or the weather.  My daily mileage has dropped due to the terrain.  I expect that will be the case until the end.  The big mountains are in my near future.

My pack, without food and water, weighed 17.5 pounds when I got home.  Unfortunately, it now weighs a few pounds more.  Even in summer, the northern states get cold.  I had to put long pants and jackets back in my pack.  My base weight is now 20 pounds.  With five days of food and two bottles of water, I’m leaving town with 34 pounds on my back.

When I get cell signal, it’s always great to read the your comments.  Keep them coming!

I welcome your thoughts, questions or suggestions.

The end is in sight.  I will get there…one step at a time.