Family Emergency Update and New Game Plan

So I had to get off the trail again to celebrate the life of my wonderful grandmother. I left Wednesday morning and will go back Friday morning. She was such a wonderful woman and extremely supportive of everything I've ever done. I would like to thank everyone that has supported me or my family during this time. It has been difficult but it makes it easier when you have such a loving family to go through it with you.

Me and her had a special bond. But then again, she had a special bond with everyone in her life. That's what made her so special. I was her birthday present on January 23, 1991. Ever since then we have shared a birthday full of love and tater tot casserole (our traditional birthday dish). Only a couple of years ago I found out that when I was an infant I almost got sick and it could have been very dangerous for me. She stayed up all night with me and made sure I was ok. She would have done anything for any of her 29 grand children. She was a spectacular grandmother, and that's how I'll always remember her. Now I hike the trail not only for myself, but also for her. She made me promise I would finish the trail for her. She was always ao encouraging! I love that lady! :)

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On another note. I have decided that the town visits I've experienced so far here in the beginning section of the trail are a bit to full of the greed and consumerism that the trail was created to help you escape. So I am going to stretch the time I go between towns a little farther. Instead of 4-7 days between I hope to do 10-14 days between towns. This will help me get in touch with a little more nature. And  a little less of people that just want to profit off of hikers. But it also means that I have to carry almost double the weight in food.