Living Thankful

A few months ago (sometime in the summer) I got this envelope in the mail.

I didn't open it.

Partially because I remember getting it when I was rushing through the house and partially because I pretty much knew what was in it and I wasn't ready yet.

See... (because I am weird) I had wanted my name on the list of AT thru-hikers for 2011.  That's when I did it really, that's when my friends walked... 2011 was a pretty great spring/summer/fall on the trail.  BUT I really didn't do it all.  I had skipped about 490 miles (ish) in Virginia and then 105 miles in Vermont.  After finishing I went back to Virginia... but it got cold and lonely and started to snow, so I went home.  Leaving about 275 miles still left undone.  So, TECHNICALLY I wasn't a thru hiker.  However, my trail friend Mojo told me that I was a thru hiker if I had the "essence of the trail"... 

But me, being me, I sent in the application, got my name on the list (you can check it out on the Appalachian Trail Conservancy website), and got this envelope in the mail... but refused to open it until I really had finished.  SO this fall after doing 200 miles in Virginia and 105 miles in Vermont, I am STILL 75 miles short, but it was finally time to open the envelope.

Which I couldn't find.  Because I "put it away somewhere" and didn't know where.

Today I was sorting some papers and found it.  Inside is a letter and a certificate and this:

Cause I really have walked TWO THOUSAND MILES.  INSANITY!!

Now I'm just waiting for my End to End certificate for the Long Trail... then I'll be a legit hard core hiker... or at least I'll tell myself that!!