Well the journey is finally over. Physically my body is happy to be off the trail, but mentally I already miss it. Right now I'm in North Carolina hanging out with Mom, Rick, and Granny. Mom has been keeping me full and Granny has been keeping baked goods on hand and Rick has been ensuring we're stocked with all of the ingredients and libations we need. There is a rumor Granny will also be making biscuits and sausage gravy in the morning. Life is pretty good right now. I'll be heading back to Texas soon, and then I'll really have to re-enter reality. I'm going to have to find a job and a place to live pretty soon. Then it will really feel like this trip is over and just a distant memory.
Thank you to everyone who followed along and supported me along the way. It took an army of help to get me from Georgia to Maine. I've also gotten a ton of supporters who have already lined up to help get me from hobo back to a productive member of society. I would like to thank everyone individually here, but I know I'll accidentally forget someone. I will be thanking each and every one of you personally though.
However I would like to give one special thank you to my buddy Brandon Cox. Thanks for getting me hooked on backpacking. I hold you personally responsible for this crazy trip; in a good way.
I also have one special apology to make to Josh Bowman. Josh for 175 days and 2,189.8 miles I was Squatching, and I didn't see a single Squatch. I also didn't manage to see a single moose despite seeing tons of moose droppings, so maybe I'm not the best Squatcher.
Once again thank you all for following along on this insane journey with me. If you have any questions about the trip or anything you'd like to know feel free to ask in the comments below. I've got plenty of time in my hands. Or if you prefer you can reach me directly through the "Contact" button in the upper right of the page or by emailing freeontheat.me@gmail.com.
And just for fun, here is all of the destruction and loss from this trip:
Lost
Fossil Creek Dental Hat
Space Pen
Glove
Deuce of spades
Second poop trowel
Third poop trowel
15 feet of bear line to stupidity the first day
Water filter and water bottle (this one really sucked)
Ear Buds - Panasonic
LifeProof case headphone adapter
Toothpaste and toothbrush
Consumed
Altra Lone Peak 3.0 high tops
Brooks Calderas
Brooks Cascadia 12s - 3 pairs
Trekking pole tips - 2 pairs
Darn tough socks - 2 pairs
Synthetic socks - 3 pairs
Damaged
Smartwool T-Shirt
Icebreaker T-Shirt
Soffee running shorts
Ripped several holes in backpack outer mesh
Aqua Clip
Ear Buds - Samsung
Ear Buds - Panasonic
Ear Buds - Generic from the grocery store
USB Cable - Amazon
Other Glove
Bent Leki trekking pole
Hip belt pocket strap and zipper broke
Tent Mesh netting
Two holes in Thermarest mattress
Carbon fiber support in backpack
Hole in Sea to summit food bag
Nexus 6 water damaged
Marmot rain jacket velcro fell off
Big Agnes Fly Creek UL seams came un-taped
