hey Leprechaun,
I enjoyed following your Trail Journal, along with several of the other thru-hikes you were with (e.g. Moxie and some others). I was section hiking Atkins to Glasgow this spring, came back to Florida from Glasgow 2 weeks ago, got off the trail at Foot Bridge across James River. I'm not the least bit surprised you are already feeling the trail tugging you back. A couple weeks home in the old routine, and I also can't wait to get back again to the AT. I know exactly how you felt when you decided to go back to Alabama for a break from the trail. You had been on the trail for quite a while, and I think you just needed a mental break. I also live on the Gulf Coast (Panama City Beach, FL), so we are not that far apart....
here's what I think.... many AT thru hikers take zeros of different lengths along their journey, some for one day, some for several days or more... if they live fairly close to the AT or have family or friends nearby, it's not a huge logistic challenge for them to get off the trail and recharge their mental batteries. I know I don't have that option, and I guess you don't either. If we want to zero, we do it in the woods, or we got to a hostel or motel in towns, which can get expensive. ...living so far from the AT, especially from central VA where we got off the trail. It's a 765 mile drive for me to get back up there or a 25 hour Greyhound bus ride to Roanoke, VA to get back.
you sound like you are now considering resuming your hike.... if you are ready, go for it.... think about the lessons learned from what you have done so far.... think about why you got burned out the first time. Were you getting into a race, hiking too many miles a day? were you just bored with the VA terrain? should you take a day off every week or so? you are almost halfway on the AT thru hike, Harpers Ferry is not that much further. You still have time to finish this year if you are psyched. If not, no big deal, you can section hike the AT... that's what I do now, and my next hike is the Long Trail in Vermont in September... the weather and scenery are awesome in Vermont in the fall.
good luck on whatever you decide to do!