Day 156

Katahdin - Mile 2189 - Sep 2_nd, 2015

Yesterday, at around 11 am, I climbed my final mountain, Mt. Katahdin. After 2189.2 miles, my journey has come to an end. My greatest adventure has been completed. Successfully! For the rest of my life, I can say that I'm a thru hiker. That I have what it takes. That I hiked from Georgia to Maine in 156 days.

I really just want to take this time to say thank you. Thanks to each and every one of you for joining me on what became my single proudest moment. Thanks for pushing me, inspiring me and making my journey a success story. The outpouring of love and support from total strangers is what really made a lasting impression on me. The fact is, there are beautiful, wonderful people out there. It begins with YOU. Thanks to my friends and family for always having my back. For being exactly who you are and pushing me here. Thanks to my dads office for rallying around a poor hiker. Simply put, you all inspired greatness out of me. When I was tired and cold, I used this whole fundraiser to warm and fuel my spirit. To lift me from the ground and fly me north. I think about all the people who pledged money on someone they never met. It just makes me smile. I always wanted to make everyone happy. I hope you enjoyed my journey, my journal. I wanted you all to see and feel the power of the trail. From trail magic to hitching rides, I couldn't have done it without ANY of the random acts of kindness I encountered. I can't wait to pay you people back. To do something nice, kind, generous for a stranger. To change someone's day; for the better. You have started a revolution! The karma train is coming through. All aboard.

In the next week, I'll take some time to write one more journal entry. One more story. One more tale from Michelangelo. Just give me a bit of time... I really want to put this whole thing in perspective and find the right words to describe my emotions.

Currently, I am working on heading back to Virginia. I'll take a couple days to recover, visit some folks and then head down to Blacksburg to watch the Hokies beat the poisonous Buckeyes for the second straight year. I will be in the stands, hopefully with Rafiki, willing the Hokies toward victory. That stick has special powers you know.

Anyways, thanks! You made a difference in my life. We made a difference in someone else's. We made it! We did it! It's over... For now.

I'll be in touch soon.