all i want to say right now is that i just ate at a buffet in a casion in nevada. so. much. pie!!!!! that is all for now. and my foot hurts. annnnnd life is incredible. ok... now i have to write more... im in lake tahoe. angels have once again found me and have given me an amazing place to heal up. burke is in elmhurst illinois, lovin life. lets all give him some huge love for the 1000+ miles he put on those long legs of his this summer. lurch, we miss you and hope your dreams of being the worlds best golf caddie come to reality soon. cam and luke are in the desolation wilderness. that sounds so bad ass. DESOLATION WILDERNESS!!! hopefully i will be trailing behind them in the next few days, as soon as my sore foot heals and my backpack finds a way to stop being broken... and i win big at the casino...speaking of big... big days have been droppin like mad!!! oh, and its time for it. lots of mid 20s and little 30s. as i sit, the crowd (400+ thru hikers) draws closer and the summer nights are only shrinking now. its time to push it. pictures soon. sorry. but the wait will be worth it! i should be sleeping. mrs burke, thank you for the treats in all those amazing packages you sent mike. you make the absolute best rice crispee treats in the world and you would laugh at how many people we tell about them. seriouly. legendary. mrs orr- we ate those cookies and all that cinnamon bread so fast we had to hike 20 extra miles off trail just to get milk. no, no, i kid i kid, but seriously, so good! thank you!!!! and to everyone! thank you!!! your support keeps the chicago 4 alive and thriving, no matter what. the trail of life never ends! so hike strong, have fun, and be safe! happy summer to all.