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I came across your video of your AT hike, and was transported to the trail through your photos and video footage. I am an avid hiker, but live life with a traumatic brain injury and multiple sclerosis---so my dreams of taking on such a feat lie in living them vicariously through folks like you.
I am partnered with a service dog, so I can also relate to the aspect of the canine-human bond, and was especially drawn to your accomplishment with your canine friend, Kooper; what a GREAT trail dog! My service dog, Nadja loves to go hiking with my daughter and I when I am blessed enough with the good health to do it, but I can't imagine taking her to the heights (literally) that you did with Kooper---wow!!
I can also relate to learning how to live simply and finding out what's really important. Although, this lesson wasn't taught to me through getting back to nature, but by losing my home with my little girl after a brutal home invasion caused us to lose our entire family/home in one horrible night. I learned that living with so much less frees you up to discover new pathways in life---ones that are usually covered up in clutter (mental and physical).
Thank you for sharing your journey with the world---and for folks like me, whose bodies can not handle the rigors of the trail, but whose spirit desire it. ;-)
God bless you and Kooper----please tell him that K-9 Nadja sends him a great, big doggie shout out ;-)
Blessings,
Kimberly

just ran across your youtube video. i too love to go hiking with my dog Tiger. lost my border collie, Sadie in may of 2011. she had developed health problems over the last 3 years of her life. we used to go mt. biking every weekend and then she just got old and sick. i tell people we both got old and fat the last 3 years she was with me (i got over 300lbs.). when she died i took a personel inventory and decided it was time to get back into shape. so i went to the shelter looking for the most obnoxious dog i could find. my plan was to save him and he would save me. june 12, 2011 was the day. that day i couldn't go 2 miles without killing myself. a year later i was down over 50lbs. and doing 10-15 mile death marches on sat and sun and 3-5 miles on week day afternoons. This year i started keeping a mileage log and Tiger and i will break 1500 miles by year end. we did a small portion of the AT in may by NOC. My son was so impressed with Tiger he rescued Koda who now has joined the hiking team. She had issues too but happy to report that in a year of rehabilitation she has completely come out of her shell and even learned to play.
i'm not a religious person but there is something spiritual about hiking in the woods with your dog. there is a bond i have with Tiger that i could never have with a human. my wife even gets jealous sometimes. since i got Tiger he has missed only one 5 mile hike due to a minor leg injury and i had to confine him to keep him in. he would have done the hike with a bum leg.
if anyone else needs motivation to get out hiking more, may i recommend a dog. any dog will do too. the shelters are full of them. it took me a few months to train Tiger but between obedience and agility classes we created a lifetime bond. i use to smoke 15-20 cigars a week and drink lots of bourbon. i still enjoy an occasional smoke and drink but lets just say the local cigar shops and liquor stores have seen a major decrease in income thanks to the Tiger Dog. when i do stop by them i usually have Tiger with me and they laugh about it and comment on the weight loss. my day used to revolve around getting done at work and heading to a bar or poker game (aka the smoke filled rooms) and now it revolves around my afternoon hikes with the dogs. every afternoon they are waiting for me to put on the hiking boots and get on the trails behind my house. if i'm not on the deck they start barking letting me know its time to go. on weekends i can't even get to the van without them jumping in because they are worried i might leave without them.
so again, if you need motivation just go rescue a dog. they never say no to a hike in the woods.

Best Video Ever, Congratulations!!!

Just watched your video again, will always love it. I envy you so much, and only wish I could hike the Appalachian Trail too. How is little Kooper?

Do you think you could email me? I am thinking about hiking the AT with my dog Huck (he's a vizsla too). I just wanted to talk to some one who had gone through it with a dog. Mainly, what you did on the sections where dogs are not allowed. Thanks, Jeff jeffcfuchs@gmail.com

Great to hear from you. Tredd, Stacy, and Titus.

Congratulations!

Wow! Found your note from 6/13/10 at Bobblets Gap in Va. http://ow.ly/i/4n4P
I see you just finished. Congrats! Awesome accomplishment!

Good to see you and Kooper romping over the AT. Was a terrific time out there! Our best to you and a huge hug to Kooper!!

congrats?!

Congrats Dan !! Stacy and I been following your journey since we met you before the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the trail.. well done Dan, well done !!
Stacy, Tredd and our little dog Titus

Congrats Daniel, I'm proud of you!

Just spent of week with a mutual friend of yours Roy Darden. So glad for you Daniel this has been an amazing journey for you and Kooper. A lifetime of memories has been made. Thank you for allowing All of Us to Live this out with you as you progressed in the Journey. May all of your Joys become complete in the one who holds all in His hands.

Yeah, but with all the out and back that guy did I'm sure he has done 1.5 ATs. Good job Koop.

was there only two [arks the dog couldnt go and one you can like hick around or have a service take him around

Go you two! Had a great time sharing the trail with you. best of luck in your future adventures. Dutch and Cabana Boy

Good rock scrambles ahead! It's You, God and
Sky up there.

Guess it is a good thing I forgot that last pack of freeze dried ?

Looks like Kooper has a buddy. Does he like hiking with another dog?

Picture?????

Pics or it didn't happen.

Keep going strong Sims! Hoping these days/miles at the end of your NOBO journey are some of the best yet.

Where are you on your hike?

who is gollem/smeegal?

this is great

Good now get back to Florida so you can attend to your slowly decaying user-base

Stunning views! Loved the post, too. Man... it must be suck to forget something when you're hiking, but that's awesome that the hostel had denatured alcohol!
You're almost there!