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Tuesday, August 12

Latest News about me

First off- I apologize for not putting an update on this site more quickly. Its been about a month since I've updated the site. I have been off the trail since Dunsmuir, and unfortunately will not be getting back to the trail this summer. When I cam home from a scholarship, I found that my old computer was dead, and beyond (financially feasible) repair. Since I make my money with my computer, I had to buy a new one. The $1500 that that took, unfortunately meant that I couldn't afford to go back out to the trail this summer, and I've been busy working to build the savings back up.

While I'm really sad that I couldn't go further this summer, and the 600 miles I completed were nowhere near the ambitious 2600 miles I had planned for this summer, I am also extremely thankful for the time that God has given me out here. I have been blessed by having the most amazing summer- the 600 miles I had a chance to do far exceeded my expectations for what I thought would be a much longer summer of hiking. So, I'm bummed that I had to cut the trek short this summer, I am still thankful that I got to have a trek at all. Also, because I didn't finish the trail, I have a great excuse to take time in the future to complete this trail. I'm done hiking the trail this summer but I'm far from done hiking the trail.

I thank all those people that have been praying for me and helping me out this summer. Without all the support that I've had from family and friends there is no way I could have even done what I did. I appreciate the financial support that many people have offered to me. I thank all those who have been tracking my progress on the internet, and sending me encouraging notes. I thank the trail angels along the way who lifted my spirits those times that I really needed it. God has used all of you to help make one my my dreams a reality.

I look forward to sharing more with everyone who has been reading this in the following summers. I will continue to keep the email list active, and send out emails whenever there is an update to this site. Most of you thought you would be tracking my trip over one summer, but I hope that tracking my progress over multiple summers will not keep you from checking out my site occasionally.

To those friends in foreign countries who've been tracking my progress- Thanks for looking. I hope you have a chance to make it out here for a trip.

To all those who have supported me financially- Thanks for the help. Sorry if I disappointed anyone by not making it in one summer. I could not have done what I did without you.

To my parent- Wow. What a great support team I had. It was great being able to call you from some mountain top in the middle of nowhere, say I needed something, and have it show up at the post office in the next town. Also, thanks for the encouragement.

To my grandparents- Its been really neat connecting with you in a new way through this trip. And see... I didn't kill myself! Its safe.

To those who have given me help with the planning (and all those on PCT-l)- Thanks for all the info. Thanks to the people who gave advice that I followed from the first, for the advice I eventually followed, and for the advice I will never follow because I think you're crazy.

To my girlfriend- Stephanie, you were a key part of keeping me sane. Thanks for believing in me, and being there for me, especially when I'm at my lowest (Like when I'm in the middle of the desert, on top of a mountain crying into the phone- thanks for being there and praying for me!). And also, thanks for the rockin' bible, I read it everyday! Oh ya- And typing up those journals is a pain in the neck. Thanks for doing it for me.

To the Heitmans- Your house rocked. Thanks for letting me stay there!

To the few people who wanted contributions for newspapers/ magazines/ books- I will get you whatever you want. Thanks for making me feel like my writing and experiences are worth something to people who aren't me!

To all those from Calvary Chapel of Ojai (Especially Pastor Dan)- Thanks for the prayer and the support. I always could feel that my church family was behind me 100%, and that prayers were being said for me.

To Gordon- Thanks for your comments about my photos. I'll never forget what you said.

To Hersh- Thanks for the invite. Sorry I didn't make it up there, hopefully next summer? I'm keeping your phone number handy.

To Matt- Its so important to have someone who knows me well, we doesn't harbor any doubts about me. Thanks for being really supportive to me, especially in the planning process.

To Anna- Thanks for taking the time to share my photos with people at the Thursday night services.

To Father Buckley- Thanks for the prayers and the calls!

To the fellow hikers I met (Sideshow, Pathfinder, Chuckwagon, Terri and Bill, Graeme and Ashley, Kevin and Carmen, Tazul)- Its been great sharing a small part of my summer with you, sharing stories or gear advice, or just walking together for a bit. I hope to see all of you sometime on the trail later in life. Keep on hiking!

To Prozac- I hope the reason you were a little quiet around me was not because you caught me putting on my body glide that morning.

To the crazy dude in Washington who thought I couldn't do it- You were right. I'll have to do it multiple sections just like you.

To Carol- Thanks for the advice about tick-proofing the clothing. I didn't actually buy the stuff to do that (I forgot) but your warning did put me on guard. And most importantly it told me you cared. Thanks for being a caring friend. You still owe me a fishing trip, ok?

To the waitress in the buffet in South Lake- I'm totally sorry about leaving a tip. If you read this please send me an email with your address. I realized I forgot to leave a tip down the trail like 50 miles, and it made me feel horrible for quite a spell.

To all those who picked me up and gave me rides- Thanks. Because of people like you, planning for a trip like this is a lot easier. You make it do-able. Also, I had great fun getting to know you all.

To Randy- Thanks for the prayers and the great ride up. I have kept you in my prayers. Drop me a line somehow- I'd love to hear how you're doing!

To Kevin and Carmen- Thanks for sharing a hotel room with me. The desert sucked, but you all made it a lot better (and you helped me make my decision to go up to the Sierra, the best decision of the summer!).

I could go on like this forever. What does this say about my adventure? This means that I did not do this alone. God brought so many people into my life that have helped me realize my dreams. While in a way this is a very lonely adventure, in another way, this is very much a team effort. There are so many who helped me, whom I forgot to put on this list. If you are one of those, please know that your contribution was no less essential, I just am scatterbrained and can't remember the hundreds who have made this possible.

Thanks to everyone. This site will be continually updated. For those fellow backpackers who have been tracking my progress, you might be interested to know that I have plans to turn my gear list page into a gear review page. I will be posting some thoughts about various items that I took with me on the trek. I will send out an email when that gets finished!

I hope everyone who has been reading will continue following my trip over the next few years. I appreciate all the support from everyone. I have enjoyed sharing what I've learned with everyone on this site. I also will be posting some afterthoughts in the next few months, touching on various aspects of the trip.

I've made so many friends through this site. I thank all of you who have written to me, and I look forward to keeping in touch as I work my way up towards Canada along one of the most amazing trails in the world!