First my mom, who has always given me the most support and mailed several boxes to me, among countless other versions of assistance.
Jack "Appalashireman" and Natalie "Moosemulch" for Dinner at Pinkham Notch, snakebite treatment, and good company.
The Waynesboro Viriginia YMCA, for a free shower and for being so hiker-friendly.
Mary "Valverie" and her son for some rope, a terrible but engrossing book, and good company.
Sam & Adam, for keeping me young, getting songs stuck in my head, and keeping in touch throughout the trip, despite not seeing each other after New Hampshire (they were always ahead of me).
(this is me singing something Sam & Adam were humming earlier).
Sally "Ruby Slippers" in Norwich VT for letting me stay with her. She even called to check up on me months later. If you're reading this, thanks. I was in the Shenadoahs in Virginia when you called, and I only got a voicemail and no missed-call number, since my phone was off, so I was unable to call you back since I don't know your number.
My Dad, who shipped boxes and his self a few times, visiting me and finishing the last day with me. And thanks to Carol and Miranda as well, for helping him help me, not to mention things like buying me an iPod.
Chris "No Budget" & his dog Mofo, who made me miss my own dog more than anyone else.
Bobby Leonard, Noog, Wade, & Jeff. Four fun kids I camped with in Vermont and who were good company.
Megan in Keene, NH, who I mostly sincerely wish to see again and wish I had successfully convinced to come to Delaware Water Gap, PA when she almost did.
Bob, Beth, and Leah Volat, who all welcomed me like a long-lost relative and were my most gracious and hospitable hosts.
Patrick, a LT thru-hiker I camped with on 7/24 who shared his flask of whiskey.
A nice couple I met at Gifford Woods State Park in Vermont, who were very willing to share their food, which was meticulously planned.
A guy named "Stats" I met in New Jersey, who also had meticulously planned meals and a willingness to share them.
Uncle Johnny's in Erwin, TN.
Bolt, GirlPilot, Team Blackcat, various people named Jason, and Sawyer, who helped me remember to stop and enjoy myself. They were all extremely fast hikers, and did the trail in half the time I did. And stopped and smelled zero flowers.
Mr Cheap, who, like the speed demons above, reminded me to make sure I took every step. He skipped ahead ~100 miles to finish on time, and it was eating him up. I'm proud to say I hiked a continuous footpath from Katahdin to Springer, and any steps that were not officially white-blaze were parallel to it in some way, and amounted to less than half of 1% of the 2181 miles.
Connie and Travis at the Greasy Creek Friendly in NC. Very sweet and loving, and I got to put my footprints on her kitchen floor in blue paint, which was a lot of fun.
Bacon Jam and his girlfriend Jungle Fox, who I was glad to meet in Maine, and had fun with in Hanover NH.
The Belmont Outing Club, which was my favorite of the Outing Clubs I met, if only because I got to give a girl a hug.
The Haverford Outing Club, whose students seem very intelligent regarding philosophy and biology, but could work on their mathematical and navigation skills. But I loved the lot of them as we camped together in the Mt Rodgers, VA area.
The Relax Inn in Atkins, VA, which, despite just being a truckstop, was indeed relaxing.
Lumbermack, Dwayne and Wayne, who gave me a ride and some trailmagic (sodas and crackers) by Ceres, VA.
The "Party Train" with varying members including Chief, Tomatio, Vlad, Sk8, Shirtless, Redbeard, Foot Z, Pilot, Dozer, Bucko, Unc, Vesuvio, and whoever else. Because people need to relax and talk about something other than hiking with other hikers, and the party train was always a welcoming place to unwind. I had some good chess matches with Vlad, and the ongoing risk games were as epic as any mountain climb. I wish you all the best.
Short Fuse, who I had a wonderful day picking blueberries with, and who was always close, and I lament not catching her at the end.
The Town of Glasgow, VA. for it's hospitality, hiker-friendliness and in-town shelter, and most of all its giant dinosaur.
My favorite Nicole, my other favorite Nicole, Chris, Jess, and even Drew in Winston-Salem, NC, for putting up with me and my smelly and bug-filled bag, as well as taking me to a downtown "Rock the Block" event, which is almost the exact opposite of hiking. And Nicole for several other reasons.
Jason the flipflopper, who shared with me and even attempted to get my guidebook back to me. But he was, alas, unsuccessful, which is why I'm just doing this thank-you list off the top of my head.
Ed, Travis, Teresa, and Labelle who let me sleep on an air mattress and gave me so much food in the Shenadoahs. You are all very beautiful people.
The Allenberry in Boiling Springs, although your price increases are like Netflix's.
Peter "Leaf", who gave me my full trail name.
Rebekah at the Lake Shore House in Monson, ME. My first real AT Hostel on the trip, it was quite possibly my favorite. And to the guy who gave me a ride and played guitar at the bar: Good set and thanks again.
To Sundowner, who I really liked but who I was not meant to hike with, as we got lost for hours. HOURS!
Jim Murray, who is so generous to hikers and has a beautiful property.
Amp"Lexus" who happily took the role of ladies' man so I didn't have to.
My friends who gave me various versions of encouragement, including Jake Lacey, Mike Murry, Hunter Mulhal, Dianne Ford, Chris & Melissa Dominguez, Amanda Seelman, Jessica Lomelin, and others.
The town of Linden, VA, where I was given an apple by one nice man and then minutes later was given a beer by another as I just passed thru.
Blah Blah, a Nobo with a chip on his shoulder, who I was able to find common ground with in music, among other things.
Shaw's in Monson, ME for THE best breakfast deal on the entire trail.
The ATC in Harper's Ferry for the big map and organizing and all the necessary evils that you do.
The Safety Tribe, who make all other hikers feel less lazy by comparison.
Native Landscapes and Garden Center in NY, and "Dust" who was working there. Although there were some bad things going on (the place had just been robbed) they were very kind to me and let me stay the night there.
Evan Chadwick, for countless things, especially his beat boxing ability.
Vesuvio, who was probably my favorite fellow hiker, and I'm not even sure why. But just overall "good vibes".
Curtis and Hawk at Standing Bear, just North of the Smokies. It was a cool place and was the first time I'd ever used an old-fashioned washboard and wringer to do laundry.
The Montebello General Store, where the people were very nice as I moved before & after seeing Nicole.
Upper Goose Pond in Massachusetts, one of only 3 on-trail zeroes I took. Free Pancakes? Yeah that's worth staying a whole other day.
Another hiker just outside of Dalton, MA, who also shared my love of rhyming: Nutter Butter Peanut Butter Cookie Bite Sandwich.
Tom Levardi, the legend of the AT, who is even more humbly good since the arrival of the Birdcage.
The Methodist Church in Damascus, VA and "The Place" behind it. Despite what rumors floated around, we treated the place with care and I am very thankful they keep it open to hikers.
The wonderful woman I met at the grocery store in Daleville, VA, who gave me a giftcard after we talked awhile and I said I was a thru hiker.
Julia Tyler, who inspired my thru-hike and has given me wonderful encouragement along the way.
The Afton Mountain visitor's center and the folks who gave me a free ride in/out of Waynesboro, VA.
Harrison's Pierce Pond Camps, for the 12-pancake breakfast, and the ability to play with Sam & Adam and hear an interesting political debate about windmills.
My sister Brenna and her husband Grant, who sent me some fun stuff and lots of love. And thanks to the Patti clan for the socks, Jerkey, Jacket, Reading Material, and all the love.
The Stratton Motel and Pine Ellis Lodge in Maine
The Lewis and Mark Experience, who were good company.
Mike Kelly for selflessly giving me his OtterBox Defender for my phone, which suffered a lot of abuse, but thanks to his case it survived the whole trip.
Jeri & ....AH I can't remember his name! But the family-operated White Mountains Lodge and Hostel. One of only 3 on-trail zeroes, and strait-up my favorite place I stayed on the trail.
Brad "Woody", who I saw in ME, VT, PA, MD, WV, VA, TN, & NC, making him the hiker I was in the most states with. I never saw Nate "continuing getting bent" Jochen in Maine, and really my extensive interactions with Woody in Maine might have been slightly exaggerated. But thanks to them both, the fellow hikers I spent the most time with.
Jenn Bower for some good cookies and drunk dials.
The Port Clinton, PA pavilion and The Church of the Mountain in Delaware Water Gap, PA, Cumberland Farms in Wallingford, VT, and all of the Huts in the White Mountains of NH.
Jeremy and Pasquiano, my first trail angels who gave me sooo much food and played football with me and really helped a complete stranger out. A lot of people on this trip were strangers who helped me for no reason other than altruism, and I can't thank you all enough.
Erin "Fern Toe" who has no idea who I am, but we actually met on day 1, and then I followed her in the logs as she was always good about writing. And always ahead of me.
Heather Mooney for throwing me the first surprise party of my entire life and giving me some good trinkets before I set out on this wonderful adventure.
The Doyle in Duncannon, every hiker's favorite place to stay.
Basically every person and establishment in Hanover, NH.
And thank you, for sitting there and reading this.
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