Corrections

Thanks for updating everyone Mama, but that was a chili dog, an strawberry ice cream sundae, a ham sandwich, a banana, a medium sized bag of BBQ chips, another banana, an oatmeal creme little debbie, a moonpie, and a 32oz gatorade throughout (in that order i might add) ;) i also walked away and ate later that day an entire bag of chips ahoy, a king-sized snickers and a bag of peanut m&m's (i didn't tell her about all of that!) ;)

and i don't expect to catch Foxtrot - he's been a day ahead of me ever since i zero'd at the B&B... and he rarely ever takes zeros himself.. so while it'd be a bummer if i don't see him again, i expect that'll be the case.. but i have his contact info and who know's, maybe i'll venture up to alaska one day to say hey and go for a hike with him ;)

ALLEZ LES BLUES! they qualified and i'll be traveling to europe with Papa next summer :)

Also, i've been staying in shelters more than i EVER expected to.. i think it's because they are so nice here in VA... i don't expect the same the further south i progress.. but also because it makes for an easier earlier start on the day - i'm loving getting up at or before first light and taking off on each and every new day.

and for clarification of an earlier post, i dropped the un-necessary, if not very cool, gerber knife.. but i STILL have the small classic swiss army knife that Katia (sis) gave me.. it has all i need (knife, flathead/file, scissors, tweezers, and toothpick) and the one inch blade is more than enough to fend off any bears that come my way! ;)

The hacksaw was used on:
- the trowel (took off the handle) that i was supposed to need for diggin cat holes (business) but only really need between Damascus, VA and Erwin, TN from what i hear, so it currently lives in my bounce box for when i hit that stretch of trail. Til then there are privies all the way at each shelter.
- my spoon!? not to cut down on weight, but so it will fit packed in my pot conveniently. still functions fine ;)
- and this should get a few laughs (if my Mama don't give me too hard a time)! My inhaler!!!! i know, i know... ridiculous... but i got hack-happy ;) i really just did it to make it fit in with all my other ditty stuff in the zip lock i keep in a small pocket on top of my pack. ;)

Steve, the colors are NOT beaver colors.. the lighting must be bad. the pack's yellow... and while the stuff sack containing my sleeping quilt is orange, it's closer to UT LONGHORN burnt orange!!! HOOK'em HORNS baby!!!

Terry... you're always just tryin to start shit aren'tchya ;) I know I NEVER said i was the first out of any tent!!! ;)

And thanks Auntie K!!! Love the support! :)

BTW, if i haven't said already, I'm now 100% sure that the 'thing' out in the woods that was after my food bag that first night was a deer. I heard a deer that was one of three runnin off make the same exact sound.

Yeah, it was scarey for a while there Jerry.. but I am gettin used to it. Foxtrot and time out here have helped me with that..