“I went to college in north Georgia, not far from Springer Mountain. I hiked with friends in college, and they went on and had the time to hike the trail back in the mid ’90s, so it had always been on my mind. I talked about it more and more as I got into my 40s, and I got a chance to have some time away from work about a year ago.” With tears in his eyes, Michael continued: “My wife basically told me I need to put up or shut up, so I put up. Here I am six months later. I did it for the adventure. It was everything I expected. It was an absolute adventure. Well worth it. What is next? Man, tha’ts harder than deciding to hike the trail. I don’t have a job lined up when I get home, but my wife has been extremely supportive.”