Hey-thanks all...
I can't respond to all the posts here. It'd take me all day. I have to admit, the 'snap out of it' comment made me laugh--in a good way. It's good to know that I am not the only one that has stumble during a first big tour. Btw, I did take a few over nighters before I set out. But, they were regional and I was really comfortable with the terrain. Maybe a lesson for other thinking about doing a long tour. Take some small, overnighters but do it way from what you are use to. The tour that I had planned wasn't about escaping from the real world or anything like that; I had accomplished my educational goals. I don't have kids, no debt and there was nothing holding me back. It seemed like the right time to take some time and see the world. Like I said, I'm getting back on the bike. I'm thinking of a going to the NC mountains this fall, do some riding and camping.