Andy here,

While moving into a new apartment, looking for a job and readjusting back to city life can be fun and exciting, it can be equally overwhelming and anxiety producing.

But more on that in another post.

I wanted to share with y’all a picture of my PCT finisher’s medal!

Receiving it helped me relive many memories from the trail, but it also made me realize that this adventure was really over.

That saddened me, but every time I looked at this medal, I smiled.

I chose to leave this token from the trail with parents in LA. It serves as a daily thank you for all of their help.

My mom made the majority of our dinners and my dad shipped all of our boxes (adding cheese into each box before taking them to the Post Office ☺).

My dad proudly wore the medal and it brought me great joy to see him walking around with it, showing it to his neighbors and friends.

It would be impossible for me to thank my parents for their help and the role they played in helping me realize an 8 year dream. 

I’m just grateful to have their support and love.

And speaking of being grateful, my mom is grateful to all you – our readers.

She wanted me to pass on this message from her:

Dear followers,

Thank you all for following our hikers. Your encouragement and support through comments was very important for them.

As parents, we were very happy to know they had so many supporters and friends on their journey.

When we would read your comments, we would feel very grateful and happy and teary eyed.

Bless you all.