Over the last couple days, I have gotten to know one of the bravest, determined and together people I think I have ever met. I have known this person for a very long time — 20 years in fact — but I never knew her this way. The person is my daughter, Kate. She is beginning an adventure of a lifetime; one that I must admit I am envious of. This week, she boards a Greyhound bus to travel to the Appalachian Trail, where she will be hiking, camping out and discovering her inner self while experiencing some of the beautiful protected areas of the United States. She is prepared, with all the needed supplies and equipment. Countless hours have been spent, by her alone, to gather the necessary camping gear, survival apparatus and food stuffs. Eight large re-supply boxes have been created, including soups, noodles, snacks, energy bars, nuts, batteries and other needed supplies, which will be mailed to post offices along the route. The boxes are held for general delivery, as she makes her way from one town to the other. The boxes are addressed as such: Kate Gallagher ATTN: Hold for AT hiker ETA “ARRIVAL DATE” “TOWN NAME”, “STATE” Post Office General Delivery “TOWN,” “STATE” “ZIP CODE” The hiking distance differs from point to point; the longest is 107 miles and the shortest is 50 miles. It is a true test of ones’ will and determination. I am very proud to know a person with those qualities, and even prouder that she is my daughter. -Fran Gallagher, publisher and CEO