"See
ya Dad!" were his last words as he took the first of an esimated
5 million steps north to Mt. Khatadin Maine. I watched him walk
through the stone arch marking the beginning of the uphill 8 mile
approach trail leading to the start of the Appalachian itself on
the summit of Springer Mountain, his 31-pound pack swaying on his
back... I don't think he even knew it was there! With a
final turn and smiling wave, he disappeared into the pines and mountain
laurel.
A
year ago when Chris asked, not my permission but my opinion, if the
trail was something he should attempt, it took me all of 10 seconds to
say 'Go for It!'
Going
for it he has... and whether he completes 2000 miles or 200, the
adventure is his, and the reward will be in the journey, not the
destination.
I
hope to maintain this site to keep his family and friends abreast of
his travels, post the photos he sends home, and excerpts from the
journal he hopes to keep up. I'll also pass along any words of
support you may have... drop me an email if you wish and I'll see that
he gets the message.
Finally,
my thanks to our family and the many friends and coworkers who have supported and
wished him well, his mom, who worries about the bears, and his brother
Kevin, who put this site all together.
