Will's 30th Birthday "Trail Fund"

[Before reading on, note that this page is TOP SECRET - do not tell Will! I hid it from him on Facebook, so please do not share it on social media or otherwise]

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Will's birthday is coming up soon, and it is a VERY special one!

A) It is a milestone birthday - his 30th!

B) It falls on March 30th, which means it is his golden birthday (something I only recently learned about, but still pretty cool - it only happens once in a lifetime!)

C) He is spending it on the Appalachian Trail having the adventure of a lifetime, about a month into his journey of over 2,100 miles.

Although I will be visiting Will a few days after the big 3-0, I won't be able to see him on his actual birthday, and I want to do something big for this milestone, golden, once-in-a-lifetime occasion. 

But what can you offer as a gift for someone whose worldy possessions at the moment are squeezed and squished tightly into a backpack? After debating over this question for a while, I realized that the fact that Will even had the opportunity to have this adventure is a dream-come-true and a huge gift in itself. I want to make his birthday gift relate to his thru-hike because I know that this adventure will be one of the defining experiences of his entire life - it just wouldn't be right to celebrate his birthday without celebrating his courage, perseverance, and stregth on the trail, too.

As you might imagine, there are so many doubts you have to plow through before making a decision to embark on a crazy adventure like hiking from Georgia to Maine. Many of those doubts relate to money and, although we felt the sacrifice was worth it to have this experience, there was a certain uneasiness about significantly changing our income and spending habits for 6 months.

For Will's birthday, I would love to give him peace of mind as he deals with the ups and downs of living life on the trail by creating a "Trail Fund" that he can use for things like food, gear, and miscellaneous expenses. This gift of peace of mind will be worth so much to him, and may even add an extra "boost" of enthusiasm on those days when he probably feels like coming back home to his warm bed!

So, if you'd like to say "Happy Birthday!", please consider giving to Will's birthday Trail Fund in any amount, large or small. I know Will will be thrilled (and completely surprised) when I share this link with him and he sees how many people are supporting him on his journey and celebrating his birthday with him from afar. 

Your gifts for Will's birthday "Trail Fund" will allow him to purchase:

-A new pair of shoes. Even the best of shoes do not last under the intense stress of 2,188 miles. Will will definitely have to purchase another pair (maybe two).
-Overnight stays at hostels/bunkhouses. These stops are crucial to allow Will to rest and resupply on food and gear. They usually cost around $20 per night.
-Miscellaneous gear. It is hard to predict the exact needs that will arise, but just this week Will needed more water purification tablets, gaiters, and a new pair of socks.
-A flight home. The question is not if Will will make it to Mt. Katahdin, Maine, but when! I doubt he'll want to hike back home for another 6 months, so a flight will be important :-)

OH - and this is top secret! I plan on sharing this page with Will on his birthday, March 30th. Keep it on the down low for now! 

Much love and many thanks,
Meridith