Good video. Heal fast. Unfortunately, the older we get, the easier we can get injured. When you are up to it. Just try day hikes on local trails. They do a lot of good for you, mentally and physically. Happy Trails. Good Luck, Rick

I love this video and am truly humbled that you spotlighted our friendship. I'll add to the story that Mittens and I met you - briefly - just north of Delaware Water Gap. You were super grouchy and we commented among ourselves that you weren't having a good time. When we hit whatever 100-mile marker wasn't far north of there, Typical was waiting for you, saying he wanted to experience the milestone with his buddy. I've been fortunate to make good friends on the AT, but you're the best of the bunch. You are family and you are welcome in our home anytime. Love you, brother!

You have made my day!! I was so happy when your video popped up today… I love hearing about how you remember your journey and it’s affect on you. And the effects of the people you met along the way….i have missed you….thank goodness you are in a better place now….and you have new love in your life….don’t be a stranger. Keep us in the loop! ❤

Great heart warming video. Thanks for sharing it was pleasure following you. So happy for your new relationship. Enjoy

God bless you!

Amazing video, Billy! I am blessed to hear this. A testimony that nothing happens by accident... all God ordained to show His love, mercy, and grace to and for you. Love is all over your journey in AT. From God, the source of love chanelled through your friends Pat , Vegas and the rest of your friends. Even after the journey, there are many evidences of His love and goodness to you, may not see it instantly- but it's there..always there (gift of life, family, friends and for you- ability to inspire and influence through your videos 😊 remember all these when you're down.. God loves you that He lay down His life for you just like Pat who left his backpack to help you. 😊 wherever life leads you, May the good Lord continue to guide you and protect you. ❤ You are loved by many. Numbers 6:24-26. Your Bayonne friend- Cheri😊

It's been a long time since BigWillyDawg has popped up in my feed. It's good to see you again. I was watching my second season of Through-hikers and suspected you were past halfway when I started watching your channel. That was after I stumbled upon Pat Townsend - his videos were a joy, leading to Jordan Hikes, BigWillyDawg, and Vegas the Pied Piper. I've drawn inspiration from each video I've watched, but your "Face the Bully" speech is the only line I ever quoted while on trail.

I love your heart BW. I hope life blesses you. Take care.

Beautiful BWD. You are the best of us. Love you brother.

Wow Big Willie! This had to have been one of the best post AT hike videos Ive ever seen. You can tell in your voice and smile how you love your friends you met on the trail. A fantastic group for sure! You certainly did experience a miracle, shes lovely. God Bless you both and stay safe. Phillipians 4:8 , "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things". Keep the Love going.

What a wonderful heartfelt video and what a wonderful surprise for me getting another BWD video!

BigWilly… Wow great testimony and a heart filled message. I so enjoyed you, Vegas, Typical and Pigpen and that gang of five all through 2023. I pray you will continue to post content on your channel. You can help and entertain a lot of people my friend. I hope to share a hiking adventure with you, Vagas and Typical in the future. Stay well my friend remember your life is to hike your own hike. Plus I have learned you have to work at keep friendships. Love you . ❤😊 Hod Bless you .

I'm so very happy for you. She's a real cute one. Has the fire you need. I was tearing up thru this whole video. I'm such a fan big willy. In many ways. I sensed your struggles and was praying for you. Dreaming alot too. This has been perfect timing too. 😊 I'm following some at and pct hikers this year while I'm busy with my beach house and grandkids but know you and Pat and Vegas have places in my heart I cannot describe..... well I was inspired by you all last year with a soft spot for you. We know. I'm Kathleen saying....looking forward to your next. Whatever you do. ❤

This was a nice surprise. Loved the video and all of your stories. Every time you got in a pickle, someone appeared and rescued you. Very uplifting and brought me lots of smiles. Love you BigWillyDawg and Typical and Vegas THE pied piper.😊❤

Amazing memories, beautiful people, and a great God who looks out for you! (P.S. who could ever leave you behind Big Willy?)

What an uplifting video! You have some amazing friends from the trail that helped carry you along. Even though I don't know you personally, I feel like part of your family. I appreciate all your encouragement and support on my 520 mile AT hike this year. So glad you found your soulmate!Stay strong, heal that knee, and keep making great videos!

Nice to hear from you. A lot of thoughts from the heart, as expected. Stick around NJ with your new love, plenty of others to take on the AT through hike.

Followed you all the way and was wondering how you were doing. Keep us fans updated! ❤️

Great video, so good to hear from you!👍 Hope your knee heals quickly. It's awesome that there's someone close and special in your life now 🙏💓💥👍

Big Willy Dawg, my brother for life - this had me in tears. I have no words. An absolutely beautiful video that makes me ache for those times on trail again. When you announced you're hopefully in for The Foothills, I yelled "YES" lol. I'll be seeing you in New Jersey sometime soon!

cried tears of joy for the beautiful memories and mentions, especially pat, vegas, and your youtube subscribers. love that ozone's a history teacher, could listen to his lessons for hours! i remember when you retired. one of the best sheriffs ever! am so sorry that you've struggled. had a feeling but didn't want to pressure you about it. now, you have this beautiful lady by your side and am beyond happy for you, my friend! hope to meet her. may your blessings rain down upon you both always! 😊❤❤

I have been watching AT hikers on KZfaq for 25 years. Never have I seen hikers like the group of hikers you talked about on this video. God tells us to love our neighbor and this group of guys got it right. Especially you. God bless you and the rest of your tramily.

Thank you for the love Bill! I love you too and would be there for you any time. We made memories that I will cherish forever and I look forward to our next adventure.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences of the "AT" with us. It's great to see that you have someone to share your life with. I wish only the best for both of you.

Verklempt! Talks amongst yourselves!

Miss your videos Big Willie! have you hiked this summer? I see you were at Trail Days!

quite an interesting profile title change 🤔 time for the southbound hike! may your trail blessings rain down upon you always! 🙏🙏🙏

Big Willy have you decided whether to SOBO the trail starting in mid July? 😊

Man, I am hitting the trail March 2025 and I only hope I can hike with people like you and your tightknit group. True friends are hard to come by. My Father always told me you would only have a handful of true friends in your lifetime and he was right. Thanks for your videos, Brother. Keep your head up...

Wanted to say hello 😊

i remember when you said how cold you were. hate the cold weather and hope to leave it behind someday forever. glad you were okay, though. i also remember when you lost the signal on your phone. can't stand that either, need to be connected all the time and easily reached. ran out of videos to rewatch, hope to see more soon 😊❤

What a great celebration of friends! Looks like you had a great time. You did an excellent job on this video.

Despite the rain, you look so happy! What a life changing event for you…I am so proud of you, Bill! Keep those memories and friendships close to heart.

the weather that day was weird. i feel like since hurricane sandy, we haven't had normal weather here 😕🤔

meant to ask, how was the damascus brewery? any sweet drinks like heavy reel? 🤔

deliverance 🪕

the consistent green jacket 😊

adding onto my old comment on my rewatch: hail to tigger, another new jerseyan! 🙌🙌🙌 many blessings to her on her 2024 thru hike 😊 my parents watched dancing with the stars and actually were ballroom dancers as an extracurricular activity. good show. pat and his signature orange shirt 😊 wow, skip from australia! 🙌 love the yearbooks and damascus diner (bacon!). agreed, nature life's a peaceful one. sometimes, civilization's overrated. yeah, definitely to the adventures of bwd and vegas! and others who'll join you ❤❤❤

adding onto my old comment on my rewatch: hail to bwd, fellow jersey shore resident and my friend! 👑👑👑 it was destiny that we met and we'll always be friends 😊 love the john muir quote, the father of the american park system, guitar, because my father plays it, globetrotter's picture, historical landmarks, then there was three wording because it reminded me of and then there none by agatha christie, awesome book (not to be weird), chick-fil-a, and breakfast. hi, scribe! questions: noticed vegas had hooks on his sleeves going over the thumbs and you did, too, on previous videos. is that a hiker style? 🤔 why red head lamps, not yellow? and is hitchiking legal in virginia? (sorry being a nerd 🤓)

looked like a great time!

I appreciate all of your support, but I have gotten off trail in Salem. I am going to mull it over until Monday, but right now I plan on renting a car and driving home. I don't know what a hernia looks like but I have an odd knot in my goin area, my shin was killing me yesterday and still hurts today, but the biggest issue is I not having any fun so pride is the only reason to continue. I have been hiking by myself every day. I can do that at home

adding onto my old comment on my rewatch: always, always, always love seeing our beloved jersey shore in your videos ❤❤❤ many fond memories for me at the seaside boardwalk, even point pleasant beach and ortley beach. love daydreaming, too. agreed, you need to work at a hostel or be a guide for the woods is your happy place. i spy a woodburning stove and willy wonka, good book and movies. woud be reading or playing a video game on the train. one of my favorite videos 😊