Thanksgiving - Take Two

Those who read my weekly posts and know the story know why these yearly hikes are inevitable.

I hope everyone is having a a relaxing and peaceful Thanksgiving weekend.

There are no storyline posts this weekend due to brain farts and mental fatigue.

I dropped the ball on my Thanksgiving Post two days ago - no photo & no substantial content, just one line with a rushed greeting and three lines of cheep advertising - crummy commercials.

I put that together about a week before, as a starting point, with intentions on returning to fill it out more and adding a photo. I forgot to return.

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In this current phase of life I am spending a lot of time and energy working physically challenging jobs. Last week I stuffed another side gig into a couple of evenings.

I’m not complaining - I am thankful that these opportunities are presenting themselves in this intense money-making phase of life.

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Why is Sprawl in money-making-mode???

Those of you who follow my Sprawl Facebook Page may remember my funds running out four weeks into my seven week 2023 spring section-hike. Money for home expenses were running dry as well - I wasn’t there to bring in my part of the income.

May 3, 2023 - I was at a crossroads in the middle of the New England states. Flat in finances, I was flat in spirit over possibly being forced off trail.

I received a bit of off-trail trail magic in Salisbury Connecticut, a town just off trail, in an unlikely location, as I stopped for a cup of coffee. This encounter changed everything. I posted about the magic that lifted my spirits in a Facebook post, which prompted several friends and readers to Venmo donations to support the rest my hike.

For that I am forever thankful.

I didn’t spend a penny on lodging, only on food and supplies for the next two weeks. The rest went home to help cover expenses until I could finish the section.

Those who have traveled with me know how frugal (cheap!) I am. Unfortunately, I was traveling through the New England states in the height of the recession. Example: A box of cereal that cost $2.99 in North Carolina a couple years ago might be $3.99 at the same store, but in the northeast it was running $10.00 (higher in a few areas).

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I vowed on the trail that when I got home I’d focus on

1. work, work, and more work for one year

2. being able to travel with my wife anywhere she wanted to go for her autumn vacation. (She travels frugally, but she ain’t sleepin’ in a tent on vacation.)

3. do whatever the hell it takes to help my son succeed in his second chance in life - Take Two.

4. knuckle down and pay off all debt as quickly as possible.

5. decline offers to travel with friends on big trips. That one really hurt.

6. have X amount of money saved by the end of the year.

7. be overly prepared with finances in 2024 for the final section of the hike.

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Many of the goals listed above have been met and others are on their way to being reality.

“If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.” - Zig Ziglar

“In order to meet goals you have to first set them.” - Everyone with good sense…..& Sprawl

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I am thankful for this year’s combination of good physical & mental health and a rise in opportunities to meet goals.

I am thankful for my readers and supporters.

I will not allow my current (temporary) money-making-phase interfere with my writings again.

You deserve better - the story deserves better.

A new phase is coming!

Book III is on it’s way!

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Those who read my weekly posts and know the story know why these yearly hikes are inevitable.

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