Yes, I am home! It was an extraordinary trip which seemed to go fast, until I think back to the early days of April, and then I think, "Well, yes, 4 weeks was a long time!" I got Georgia and a good portion of NC knocked out.

I wanted to go further, but in the end I came home just at the right time to escape some cold, snowy weather in the Smoky Mts. I'm seeing pictures of people I knew who are still out there, and they are looking a little miserable.

What's next? I don't feel completely done with the adventure. My friend and hiking partner, Pam, is retiring the end of June, so a July trip may be in the works. We'd like to hike in Virginia and in the Shenandoah National Park.

Drake...put it on your radar...love to see you out there with us!

I'll let you all know if and when we hit the trail again...thank you for all the support! It was fun sharing the experience with you!

Post AT Musings

Judy:
Thank you for your most informative messages about the experiences getting ready for and negotiating all the details of The Trail. Mim and I enjoyed reading your accounts every morning. Your feisty spirit and pursuit gave you one month of testiness not to be minimized or forgotten!  And--Dave's input must be factored into the mix! I can just see him in the "Shark Tank" mode, with a smile saying, "I'm out!"

Keep posting with current events. Of course, we wonder what's next?

Sequel to GOSPEL CRUISE

Whew!!!  This has been the search of searches!!!  Thank you Crystal for the initial data to track this Klopfenstein couple.  A dead end nearly was reached when I could not find any kind of Daniel and Bev K.  So I started on Beverly and out of the gate had the right people.  I said, "HALLELUJAH"!   This couple is actually Dale and Beverly Klopfenstein from Wauseon, Ohio.  I had the nicest phone visit with Bev.

Here's the record that my genealogy file reveals:
Dale and I are 6th Cousin!
Dale and Ralph are 6th Cousin!
Dale and Cleve are 6th Cousin once removed!
Dale and Crystal are 6th Cousin twice removed!

For me--this has been a fun run.  Let me know if you need a family genealogy report.  There are 10-12,000 Klopfenstein family names in file.  Total in file of friends, neighbors and acquaintances is over 52,000 names.

GOSPEL CRUISE

Several months ago I went on a gospel cruise to the Caribbean.  I had a great time & went with many other people from Apostolic Christian churches all over the country (Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Florida, Iowa, Missouri).  The entertainment on the ship was well-known Southern gospel groups such as The Booth Brothers, Greater Vision, Legacy Five, The Mark Trammell Quarter, The Collingsworth Family, and Jim Brady Trio.  Reminded me of the videos of Andrew' Bailes singing Southern gospel.  I'd highly recommend a gospel cruise!  It's so uplifting, the fellow passengers are all believers, and it's an all-around great experience.

Interestingly, the first day we received a list of other passengers and I noticed there was a Klopfenstein couple from Ohio onboard!  I didn't recognize their names & wondered what were the chances of running into them on a ship of 2,000 people plus 900 crew.  The very first night at the first gospel show I found one open seat way down toward the front stage & quickly sat down in this great seat.  I got to talking to an older couple next to me & we chatted about  how many cruises we'd each been on, how we both enjoy Southern gospel music, etc.  They asked me where I was from & mentioned they were from Ohio.  I glanced at their name badges & saw they were the Klopfenstein's!  They couldn't believe it when I gasped & proclaimed that I am a Klopfenstein also!  They were Dan & Bev Klopfenstein, both born & raised in Ohio.  I don't recall the name of their hometown or the name of his parents, but Dan was probably late 70's.  Dan said they & their whole extended family has always pronounced it KlopfenSTEEN, as they think KlopfenSTEIN sounds Jewish.  They asked me if I was Jewish  :).  I mentioned the name of some of my ancestors, but they didn't recognize any names.  Dan thought his family originated in Germany.  I'm curious if Uncle Lynn can find Dan in his list of genealogy records????????

Dan & Bev Klopfenstein