DAN CECIL

Have to give a little background on him first: Dan married Kim when they were 17 and 16. Dan finished high school and joined the Air Force. After the birth of their daughter, he started taking classes thanks to the Air Force. After moving through the ranks of enlisted he finished his first 4 years of college and was promoted to a Lt. Once receiving his Master's he opted to take a remote assignment in a war zone so his family could stay in Tipp and the girls could graduate. He came back to WPAFB and received his PHD and once again accepted a remote in a war zone to keep his family together in Tipp. Jeff and I think so much of Dan and Kim - they have won the battle of what could have been a disaster. They are finally back in this area after being in GA, FL and CA. Dan decided to retire as a Lt Col and make his home back in Ohio.

Now comes why I am writing about them. Just got an e-mail from Kim that they are leaving for a trip down south where once again they will be apart for approximately 6 months. Dan has decided to hike the Appalachian Trail as a "thru-hiker" on Monday, March 5 in the morning, beginning near Springer Mt.,GA. He has mapped out a six-month trek, giving himself extra time to do some vacationing along the way. Kim will meet him a couple of times along the way to bring in new supplies and do some sight seeing. Dan will be ending his almost 2200 mile hike at Mt. Katahdin, Maine sometime in late summer. I know he can do this - it is obvious that when he sets a goal, he either meets or exceeds it.

Boy this e-mail just made all of you "cycle & running geeks" look completely normal! Thought I would never say that :P