Hi all, this is the fourth post of preparation activities of my attempt to hike the 
Appalachian Trail with brother Paul starting March 16. We hope to walk around 2000 miles through buku states. More background on the whys and hows can be found on the earlier posts.

SOON

Leaving the islands in less than a week! Can't wait but on the other hand given the big winter storm Titan currently hitting the Appalachian Trail maybe I can! If a storm is also predicted for the day we plan to start hiking will definitely have to wait it out. Been living in warm weather too long to just be thrown into the cold. Motto is if below 70 can handle but best to doddle.

Recently finished up with the GP, DDS, and Podiatrist. Glad to report the medical profession is squarely behind this venture and fully confident that can do it. They also have given plenty of encouragement and words of wisdom. Favorite nuggets include: "No worry about the home front as am sure your wife is glad you are going away; Is ok eat all the apple pie you want why not!; Go get em and don't walk into any trees."

This picture shows Betty's reaction when told her what the Doc said about being glad.

The kids called me a pig for gobbling down in one setting over half of a costco apple pie. Hey does this look like that big a slice?

Upon leaving the Podiatrist office I promptly got a bloodied forehead and almost knocked to the ground from walking into a tree - all can say is it was one big tree!

 So except for the go get em comment sort of struck out on the medical advice bit but nonetheless their well wishes were appreciated.

Lots to do once arrive at brother's Paul and Susie's home in Smith Mountain Lake

Virginia on 3/11. First will set up tents as need to seal the notch and also still undecided just which shelter to start off with. Will get to the supply store as have barely used and unsed gear to get a refund on. Then need to decide whether to use such on yet another tent or a sat phone. My brother and I have to figure out how to add some map apps and we are also going to go take a class on wilderness first aid. If I get knocked down by any more trees at least Paul will know what to do. Main thing before start hiking is get to a Bojangles for southern style chicken and biscuits. Trust me it is gooood!

Time do all that will be heading down to Damascus on 3/15 to start the walk the next day. Of course if it is not 70 F on 3/16 will wait a few till it is!

Okay as you may recall there are three of us brothers and John is the oldest.He and his wife are currently visiting China for the next few months. We are hoping he gets back in time to join or greet us at the finish line. Here is a shot of the boys from 1979 just prior to the final cousin bowl. We ended up with something like twenty victories to their zero over a span of decades. Had such a great record mainly because the Eveland cousins were always like 20 years older than us!

Don't know when will update again. When do so probably will be short and brief. Thanks everyone for your support and encouragement! Please continue to wish us luck. Here is an aerial shot of the trail. Paul has it figured out on his website how to show where we are on the map but don't look for that sort of insight here!