Epilogue October 15,1999 After a month off the trail, I'm still in the afterglow. I'm a few pounds heavier, a few steps slower, and my knees still hurt, but 2,658 miles still course through my brain. I hope the feeling never ends. After a great Manning Park dinner celebration, Team Henry went home. Cynthia and I spent some time in Seattle visiting friends and then I returned to Manning to meet up with the PCTers who finished a few days later. Though I didn't get to see them finish, I did see Shirt, Packrat, Charlotte, Jim, Jason and Lara. We shared some beers, trail stories, and a cabin. The next morning we went our separate ways. I dropped Shirt and Packrat off in Seattle and then drove to Portland in time for a 101st birthday party for Cynthia's grandfather. From long walk to long life--a fitting conclusion to the summer adventure. I learned some things during the walk. Here are a few of them: Long distance hiking is not a physical challenge--at least not compared to the mental challenge. Your brain gets you to Canada, not your legs or your equipment. 4.5 months on the trail is not the same thing as a series of shorter hikes. You undergo a metamorphoses that never happens on a backpacking trip. The human body is the most amazing thing on the planet. Whales are a close second. For future PCT hikers, my advice is to go light, wear shoes that breathe well, and believe in your dreams. See you on the trail, Henry