I am still recovering physically but feeling much better today after some great meals, rest, and time with my family. Marion Hoffman and I communicated multiple times yesterday, and I am very hopeful that he will be able to join me in thru-hiking the Florida Trail from Pensacola to the Everglades in the near future. Knowing that my responsibilities are covered for the next 6 months, I want to take advantage of this window and think the Florida Trail is the way to go. Since this trail is fairly flat (max elevation about 200 feet), I believe hiking 15-20 miles hikes per day is possible. The trail is 1,400 miles, so we should be able to finish the Florida Trail within 3 months. My family could join me often since we will be in Florida, and I will be available for Thanksgiving and Christmas 2025. After finishing the Florida Trail, I have time for another AT section hike, cycling, a cruise, SCUBA diving or other adventure.

Since I have already done significant portions of the Appalachian Trail (Springer Mountain to Neel’s Gap, Georgia; Presidential Range in White Mountain, NH; Mt. Katahdin to White Cap Mountain, ME), I still think completing the AT with multiple section hikes (1-2 week hikes) is possible over the next 5-10 years. Kathy thinks we can arrange vacation locations around sections needed to finish the AT. Like the trail angel I met last week following his thru-hiker wife, she could meet me along the way since road crossings tend to occur every 5-10 miles. Stay tuned!

Our family will again participate in the Florida Frontiersmen’s Alafia River Rendezvous in Homeland, Florida in mid-late January 2026. I love cycling and do have plans to do the Ends of the Earth Cycling Fort Myers to Key West Tour in March 2026. I also have plans to lead a Volunteers in Medical Missions team to Roatan and Olanchito, Honduras in April 2026.

Lastly, I hope to return part-time to Shell Point Retirement Community to care for my former patients at least 2-3 days per week in February 2026. Kathy doesn’t think I would do well sitting around the house during retirement, and I truly enjoy practicing medicine. Therefore, working is not only therapeutic for me but makes retirement even more enjoyable!