Great news, Truman--glad the date went well. I'm in the same boat myself--just a few weeks ahead in the cycle--and know how exciting it can be when something looks like it may have a future.

As for the backpacking trip, you can't seriously think we're going to tell you anything other than you should use the 23 days to let your beard grow, right?!? Seriously, it really is a great opportunity to give it time to do its thing, without trimming, and then once you're back you can see what parts of it you like and which parts you want to trim back some.