Reading through these forums, I'm struck at all the different hiking styles, slow, fast, level, steep, thru-hiking, mountaineering, bushwhacking, solo, group, popular trails, solitary, on and on, and I have to say it ALL sounds amazingly fun in different ways. If I had more money and fewer commitments, I'd be tempted to tour around, meeting up with as many of you as possible and trying out all the different styles and activities. That's not going to happen, but if you do have the time and money, feel free to use my idea. And, definitely blog about it; I can live vicariously through you.