Brett Flashnick / AP Photo
The mystery is solved! Vanished Governor Mark Sanford has apparently been out for a hike on the Appalachian Trail, which explains why he hasn't been heard from since Thursday. His spokesman released the statement late Monday after First Lady Jenny Sanford said she hadn't heard from her husband since Thursday, including on Father's Day. Earlier, the South Carolina governor's office released a statement saying that he had taken some away to "recharge...and to work on a couple of projects that have fallen by the wayside." The statement added that his office would not discuss the details of his whereabouts or security, suggesting his office had no idea of his location, either. Sanford's critics are using the governor's vanishing act as an opportunity to portray him as reckless. "As the head of our state, in the unfortunate event of a state of emergency or homeland security situation, Governor Sanford should be available at all times," one of the critics said.