March 26 2012

Hi, everyone!  Sorry this update is a little late.  After I dropped
Michael and Branden off on the trail I drove to Memphis, TN to visit my
son.  I just returned home today.

Not really much news yet.  They started their hike Thursday, March 22,
on the "cusp of the new moon".  They started their journey that
afternoon in a drizzly rain.  The temperature was close to 70 so it was
not really uncomfortable.  John and Chandra Dreyer, our friends who live
in north Georgia, and I walked with them to the top of Springer
Mountain.  We took some pictures and Michael and Branden signed the
trail register.  There were 6 or 7 other hikers on the mountain but no
other thru hikers.  It was a very touching and exciting moment for all
of us.

I have received 4 "Spot" notifications from Branden since they left.
All of them had the same message, "Yo! We're alive!", which is the same
message I hope to receive each time.  He is also able to post "Help!".
Of course I don't ever want to receive that message.

I will continue sending out these updates whenever I have news to
share.

I am very proud of Michael and Branden.
Your friend,
Sheila