official countdown has started

After 1 year of planning, new job for Rachel, selling the house (finally), moving to a new state, new school for kids, downsizing our lifestyle, and learning to live on a lot less money, the countdown has started.  After 8.5 great years at Knology, I turned in my notice on May 1 this year.  I have work opportunity up until July 15th.  I will then be headed north to pick up the Appalachian Trail where I have last left off in Harper's Ferry.  This will be my starting point this year and I will have exactly 3 months to complete the remaining 1200 miles into Baxter State Park, ME. Many thanks to my gracious wife for  agreeing that now is the time to complete this dream.  If you see her, tell her that you hear me thanking her all the time.
Many of you know, I started this dream in 2003 when I headed out of north Georgia on this same trail.  2 weeks into that trip, we found out that we were pregnant with our wonderful little girl (now 8 years old), Izzy.  I ended up walking about  700 miles that year and have pieced together about 300 more since then.
I will be using this blog as a way to journal from the trail, post pictures, and keep everyone informed of my whereabouts.
Between now and July 15th, I will be posting pictures of past hikes, gear that will be used, and some explanations of what life is like on the trail.  Please feel free to send me suggestions of any topics you would like more information on.
Explanation #1.  On trail, no one goes by their real name.  Everyone is given, earned, or sometimes self named a "trailname". You typically are given a name that somehow represents you, where you are from, certain habits you may have, or something that invokes a funny story about you.  In 2003, I was named Switchback.  In north GA, the trails seem to go straight up the mountain instead of using switchbacks (the zig zagging of the path to lessen the rate of incline).  I guess I was complaining about this too much and talking about switchbacks so much, that someone in my group started calling me Switchback.  If you happen to be with me while visiting friends from the trail and you say my real name, you will get strange looks as if nobody knows who you are talking about.
Thanks for following my adventure on this blog, hopefully I will not bore you.
Switchback (A.K.A. Nathan Wright)