Homeward Bound

Homeward bound!

After 45 days and 550 miles am heading home for 2 days of R and R . "Golf" will be picked up by his daughter , Odysseus and I will be picked up by Betty. We will then return to the trail on Tuesday . As I reflect on these last 45 days it is amazing to see what the trail has given to me. Where ever you turn new connections are made. Who would of guessed that two strangers, one from CT the other from GA, hiking together would know two other people hiking the PCT and sitting at Hikers Heaven together. Truly it's a small world. Or a guide book listing s non-existing Church hostile with the cell  phone number of Sandi who works for a church conference center and make  arrangements for thru hikers to stay at the conference center. Picking you up at the trail head. Having lunch waiting when you arrive. Free use of  the Laundry room. Ride into town for resupply. Chicken parm, pasta, salad, and dessert for dinner. Director of the center gave us a ride to trail head and shuttled our packs to us 12 miles down the trail with Tuna sandwiches. All for $42 per person. All because of the wrong info in the trail guide. Sandi's daughter and son are AT thru hikers. Part of the AT family giving back.  Trail Angels opening their homes to hikers suffering from heat exhaustion.  Strangers sharing rooms and sharing beds at motels. Sharing news about Bear activity. Stories of Kenny the shuttle driver! Hiking in the rain. Getting in your sleeping bag at 7 for the night just to stay warm. Waiting for fellow hikers that hike slower than you do.  Fellow hikers checking  in on each. Warning fellow hikers of bear activity in shelters. Walking a mile into town for a hot meal. A hot shower and bed at one of the many hostiles on the trail. People helping people, wanting nothing in return. Tough days and good days. Tears and laughter. Time to walk with your thoughts without interruption. The beauty of creation. A bag of ice for a sore ankle or knee. Looking around after falling flat on your face for no apparent reason. Walking for a mile or more before realizing you have not seen a white blaze! Wiperwills waking you at 2 am. A group of first year MD students on a team building camping trip!  20 or more school students hiking for the first time. "Snow White" throwing her back pack down steep inclines! Having your college classmate spend the weekend. Trips to micro Breweries! Slack packing when least expected, but much needed. A weekend with my wife.  "Golf", "Odyseuss","Gary Two Times"and "Guinness"for their frendship. The saying "the trail will provide what you need" is alive and well!

Life is good!