I want to thank you all for your advice/suggestions/comments and concerns I have received. This site is absolutely wonderful for advice on preparation for a thru in general. I've learned so much and I haven't even seen my first white blaze. I've got all my food good to go, gear good to go, and I'm finishing up odds and ends around the house. I'm hitting the trail this Sat. with an open mind, open schedule, and no expectations except to live it up and have some fun taking it one step at a time! Thanks again!