Good Morning!  

I am now in a place where writing my first blog entry after my hike began makes sense.  It’s been a tough beginning for me – believe it or not.  Standing on a scale that read 275lbs. before I left Bob Reiss’s home in San Diego, helped me understand just how out of control the weight gain had gotten in my life.  As of today, 266 miles hiked, and 20lbs. Lighter, my feet are finally beginning to feel hardened and ready for the next 250 miles.  

The terrain has been quite impressive and really surprising.  I was expecting a much different place – but the growth of several plants, cactus and even trees in the higher elevations.  Not quite what you think when you hear desert!

I’ve had to work through multiple blisters, tender feet, chafing, shin splints and extremes in weather.  I’ve seen snakes, beetles, spiders, rabbits and some bears trapped in cages at a private zoo that trains animals for movies.  

I’m having fun, enjoying the challenge and appreciating meeting people; lots of past AT Thru-Hikers out here too.  I couldn’t do this without the love and support of all my trail family – and loved ones back home.  

Currently I am getting a ride back to the trail and won’t have service much longer so I wanted to post this while I could.  Please click on the link at the bottom of this page to see some photos I’ve posted to my Facebook page.  I will update again very soon with some additional photos.  

Thank you all for your support and love – it truly means the world to me. Please pass this on to your friends and family to help me achieve my goals for financial aid for ALS and Mental Health!  

Much Love~
Aqua-Man