Appalachian Trail

IGO · Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Posts: 4144 Location: Las Vegas

Congrats my friend and this last read reflects the emotion within though I can only imagine how you really feel. I expect that many of us are envious of you but I only hope our pride in you grossly outweighs that.
When do we get to sit my a campfire with you and hear the tales?
Remember my friend; there is always the PCT and CDT!
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"Surely all God's people, however serious or savage, great or small, like to play. Whales and elephants, dancing, humming gnats, and invisibly small mischievous microbes - all are warm with divine radium and must have lots of fun in them." John Muir

evenstar · Joined: 03 Jan 2003 Posts: 5548 Location: SCW by way of CA

Great news, Tommy and a big congratulations!
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John Richardson and Richie Rich, El Perro de Playero
http://members.tripod.com/~evenstar/index.html
http://www.arizonahikers.com
When the Man waked up he said, "What is Wild Dog doing here?" And the Woman said, "His name is not Wild Dog anymore, but the First Friend, because he will be our friend for always and always and always. Take him with you when you go hunting."
--Rudyard Kipling, from Just So Stories, 1902

Tommy · Joined: 21 Jul 2005 Posts: 192

Thanks guys! As far as pictures, maybe later next week.

I'm in Portland, Maine right now looking like a mix between a homeless person and a tourist. My train arrives in Utah on wednesday. also, my digital camera broke, so I've been using a disposable camera and relying on other hikers I know to hopefully upload some pics that I can pilfer.

not sure when I'll get back to AZ again either as a visitor or resident - haven't decided..I'll try to make it to a G.H.O.T.M in the near future. soon, I need to find a J.O.B. and make some M.O.N.E.Y.

beckett · Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 1066

Yeah Tommy!!!! You are my hero of the day!! week? summer? Any ways....Congrats!!

Linda

P.S. Love the new signature line!!!
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"A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out."

-- Walter Winchell, American newspaper commentator

Shawn · Posted: 8/4/2007, 6:44 pm Post subject:

Bravo Tommy, congratulations.
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The bear went over the mountain to see what he could see.

beckett · Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 1066

Bump!
This has already made it off the home page. We need to celebrate a little longer!!
Can't wait to see the pictures.
Linda
_________________
"A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out."

-- Walter Winchell, American newspaper commentator

threedogz · Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 668 Location: Chandler

What a great achievement! I see a book in the making.
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You can never eat too much candy...

Suz · Joined: 27 Nov 2005 Posts: 3186

Wow

Awesome achievement!

Congrats!!
Let us know when you are back in town...I'm sure we'll all buy you a Beer

wanderingsoul · Joined: 19 Jul 2004 Posts: 2285 Location: Gilbert AZ

Congrats Tommy,

I knew you could do it !!!! that was awesome Applause

What memories you must have besides your writing, pictures and friends you've made along the way. You must make it back one day for a GHOTM to tell all you can, the special parts that sometimes get lost in writing and only surface in the brain later upon reflection. How proud you must feel to have accomplished so much. My hat is off to you! I can only hope to achieve some of the more Hearty hikes in the state, much less than what you have achieved.
The anti-climatic ending....hmmm yes to think it was all over is probably expected. But the other feeling will hit you when you least expect it and one day you'll be walking along with a Big Smile on your face and people will wonder why... Wink

Good luck in the J.O.B. search, reality hits.....ouch Rolling Eyes

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Wanderingsoul (Michelle)

Positive Thinking Is the Spark that Makes Dreams Happen~~~Unknown

Hikngrl · Posted: 8/5/2007, 2:06 pm Post subject:

The big smile Michelle previously mentioned will be yours forever Tommy! You could even have some fun with it on the right occasions! Congratulations! that is so awesome! WTG Gopher! You are so blessed to have experienced what most will never be able to! And to Tommy's Daddy, I would like to say you are the Man! You supported Tommy through this in a way that no one else could have! He is a lucky man to have you for a Daddy!
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~~~Diane~~~

I want to shine!

Davis2001R6 · Joined: 12 Dec 2003 Posts: 5591 Location: Italy

Way to go Tommy, congrats! Best of luck on your return from the trail. I'm envious, which I could have hiked a few miles of it with, but you went to fast!

-TIM-

Trishness · Posted: 8/5/2007, 9:21 pm Post subject:

Way to go Tommy! I know that last stretch through the 100 mile wilderness in Maine and then getting up "K" is a chore but YOU DID IT MAN! Very cool you had some great people to share it with too.

Can't wait to hear about your adventure and see the pics.

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~~~Trish~~~

"Eastward the dawn rose, ridge behind ridge into the morning, and vanished out of eyesight into guess; it was no more than a glimmer blending with the hem of the sky, but it spoke to them, out of the memory and old tales, of the high and distant mountains." ï¿½ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of The Rings.

paintninaz · Joined: 06 Jan 2003 Posts: 3515

Job well done, Tommy!! Hiking

Despite your unwillingness to complete your cabana boy training Rolling Eyes

, I never doubted for a moment that you wouldn't succeed with this grand adventure!! Agree

Looking forward to hearing the stories and seeing the pictures!

Congrats! Yahoo!

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~Tracy

“Friends make the bad times good — and the good times unforgettable.”

azbackpackr · Posted: 8/6/2007, 4:47 am Post subject:

Congrats, Tommy! It was fun "following" you as you went along! I am sure that most of us were just astonished at your daily mileages, which enabled you to get finished in August and back home to Utah, or where ever you'll be living, just in time for all the great late summer and autumn backpacking! Razz

Way to go, dude! But man, it sure is a hard act to follow! PCT, eh? That one is a bear--very few re-supply places close to the trail, you have to depend upon trail angels for a lot of things, such as the water they leave out there for people. And then there is the brutal heat, especially in crossing the Mojave, which everyone does at night, walking along the top of the All-American Canal. But hey, I know you can do it if you choose to!

Elizabeth

thesuperstitions · Guest

Tommy... I couldn't be happier for you. Can't even imagine all you've gone through during your journey. There are a many traits and assets that must all come together, I would think, to make such a trip possible... strong hiking skills, love of the outdoors, iron will, outgoing personality and supportive family and friends. I know that you possess all of those, and it's been a pleasure following your progress as you put them all into action toward your goal. Congratulation Gopher... and welcome back.