Today I was out at the Crack of dawn. There were 4 loud tents that came in late but of course there is no sign of life this morning. After a few miles I met a hiker named Flick because she plays ultimate Frisbee competitively. I stopped for lunch but got so cold I started freak out thinking I was going into hypothermia shock when Flick from Florida showed up saying cool snow and started taking pictures . getting out of there was the only thing I wanted. And I did, all the way to a shelter that was converted from a barn. It took me back to high school when we stayed in a barn in the Poconos while on a bike trip. Come to think of it we went through hail rain and snow that time. Funny how you never know what experiences prepare you for bigger ones down the road. I mean the stressor we experienced as a couple and a family I now look back and realize how we dealt with them set us up for what we are now dealing with. A group of Recreation students from a Christian college were already there at the barn. Immediately I thought of the day time when my wife, a recent major at a Christian college was on a similar trip and the group almost went into hypothermia shock. Freaky, right ? The next day again I got out before any one else was up or even noticed.
Andy M Davidson 
Dearest Andy,
Just checking in… Where are you on the AT..? Rick and I are researching our gear for our AT trip next Spring 2016… We are becoming quite the regulars @ REI (Franklin, TN).. I have been saving $$$’s for Rick’s (and my) Life-Long Dream to hike the AT EVER SINCE YOU TOOK YOUR FIRST STEP ON THE AT THIS PAST WINTER/SPRING 2015…. Our REI “Thru Hiking” SME has done the PCT twice (He has never taken on the AT). Rick and I are TALKING OF DOING THE PCT in 2017 too after we master the AT next year (Spring 2016). We are going to start training this year and do some 3 to 5 to 7 to 14 day hikes getting all the kinks worked out and getting back to our fighting weight… (LOL)… We may even catch up to you this SUMMER of 2015 on the AT and do a couple of legs with you to Test Fire our Cognitive, Mental/Emotional, Physical and Spititual “RESOLVE..!” We could drive up for a Rendevous, then hike up a few legs, then hike back down. And let you continue your TREK on the AT…! We also could meet you at the end of the AT up in MAINE this AUG/SEP 2015… Rick and I could meet you at the trails end with the “BAND VAN” and we could road trip it back to NC…! It would bring back so many memories for Rick of when he was On Tour with His band (“Toby The Fugitive”) after they signed with Chamberlain Records back in the Summer of 2007… Good times for a 17-20 year old and his ENTOURAGE… SPECIAL REQUEST: We could certainly use your input on what all to buy and how to negotiate the AT…! Call Rick when you get a chance… I just forwarded his info to you… Via iMessage. Love and miss you, Tony
P.S. Andy, you are an INSPIRATION to Rick (in his battle with Cancer), to me in my struggles with CIDP and my myriad of other War Torn 4.5 decade “Service to our Nation” old age degenerative challenges from Bladder Cancer to heart disease to DJD to DSD, Perpheral Neurapathy and at times debilitating Chronic Pain and on and on…. And, ACTUALLY, YOU INSPIRE ALL OF US…! EVERYONE…!!!!! And you challenge all of us to face ADVERSITY head on, look past this life, peer into the next one and know with certainty that God has never forsaken us… Nor will he ever…. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is with us always… Every step we take….!
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” JOHN 16:33
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