Some Responses to Comments

The headlamp I have is a Tikka Plus I think, with 4 LED's.

Erik, you should see my beard now.  I just got a shower and it is so bushy.  I haven't actually touched it much because I've been kind of dirty... I miss your fingers running through it.  Oh -- and Nikki's... yeah, hers too.

No gear has broken so far, and I'm surprisingly pleased with my REI backpack.  I am bothered by how sweaty I get every night, but that might have to do with getting so few showers, and having a liner and a 15 degree bag when they are currently overkill.  My boots and socks are doing quite fine, but my feet finally failed on me.  Which brings me to a post:

I finally got my first blister.  I went all of Georgia without getting one, but my first 15mi day set it off.  I need to air out my socks at lunch on longer (13+) days, because even with all the wicking and whatever, feet sweat and waterproof boots don't breathe completely.  Feet pruned up, bunched up, and started pinching against themselves.  I have 3 toes wrapped and moleskin on balls of my feet.  Other than that it's been doing well, and I suppose this is time for "shouting out" to all my REI "peeps".

Thanks to Doug for showing me how to place my foot in my boot while I'm tieing it up, Lisa and Peter for fitting me with superfeet, and everyone else in footwear for talking to me while I was shopping boots because I know I talked to all of you about it!

Huge thanks to Roger for talking to me about everything -- Roger, I went daring and I made grilled cheese and sausage sandwiches over the campfire - I'm looking to try your pita pizzas when I get up to it!  Clothing, camping... pack fitting, anything, thanks for talking all of it over with me.

Gary, same goes for you.  SteriPEN is so convenient, the stove is working great and I've made some adjustments (cheap lid, windscreen, fiberglass insulation) so I know what I have and what I like now.  Thanks for helping my parents get what you know I need when they came by.

Dave, thanks for help with getting me the right trekking poles, sleeping pad, and showing me up and down the camping dept.

Thank you everyone else who gave me some input, and thank you everyone who signed that card wishing me well on my trip.  I am travelling with it in my pocket, and I'll look at it whenever I need a boost.

Mike, I have actually had so much going so far I haven't gotten far into Siddhartha, but it is a very easy read and thought provoking, and both of those are great for this trail.  I've been talking to some other people about it already, and they agree I'll love reading it while I'm out here.

Thanks everyone for keeping in touch!  I really appreciate it!