I'm still struggling with the losses in my life more than I care to admit. It's not something I can fight, but is very real nevertheless. It makes me realize how much of a Phoenix journey this summer really is.
May 23
The rain pounded my little tent all night long. At one point the thunder and lightening rolled about right above me as I lay there in the night. It was like having my head down under a timpani drum while a wild monkey beat on it. It was too awesome to be frightening, but too frightening to ever be forgotten.
Morning found the rain on pause, with the cloud settled down right on top of the mountain. I began hiking early, with the plan of getting very close to Erwin before the day was finished. As I hiked through the morning the rain turned itself on and off again, never being able to make up it's mind. Finally it cut loose, dumping giant waterfalls of liquid down onto the countryside. At the gap I was offered a ride to a diner to wait out the heavy rain. That is where my day came apart.
Out of the rain and in the shelter of the diner, I began to interact and talk with the two ladies who ran the place. Suddenly it came out. Highlander had been in there as he passed through in much the same conditions. He had stopped for coffee while waiting on some passing weather and had struck up a conversation with the owners, who remembered him well.
It was too much for me to process. I was finished for the day. I left the gap and took an offered ride to Erwin to regroup.
Here in town, I have regrouped. Some phone calls to friends have helped. I have busied myself with laundry, drying out my gear, and re-planning my schedule. My stay with Andy Frazier on Saturday is moved ahead a day to Friday. I will have breakfast with the Matney's on Saturday before I leave town instead of lunch with them as I had planned as I arrived in town. I spent the evening relaxing and watching the stroms roll over the mountaintops all around Erwin, glad I was not up there.
I'm still struggling with the losses in my life more than I care to admit. It's not something I can fight, but is very real nevertheless. It makes me realize how much of a Phoenix journey this summer really is.
The rain pounded my little tent all night long. At one point the thunder and lightening rolled about right above me as I lay there in the night. It was like having my head down under a timpani drum while a wild monkey beat on it. It was too awesome to be frightening, but too frightening to ever be forgotten.
Morning found the rain on pause, with the cloud settled down right on top of the mountain. I began hiking early, with the plan of getting very close to Erwin before the day was finished. As I hiked through the morning the rain turned itself on and off again, never being able to make up it's mind. Finally it cut loose, dumping giant waterfalls of liquid down onto the countryside. At the gap I was offered a ride to a diner to wait out the heavy rain. That is where my day came apart.
Out of the rain and in the shelter of the diner, I began to interact and talk with the two ladies who ran the place. Suddenly it came out. Highlander had been in there as he passed through in much the same conditions. He had stopped for coffee while waiting on some passing weather and had struck up a conversation with the owners, who remembered him well.
It was too much for me to process. I was finished for the day. I left the gap and took an offered ride to Erwin to regroup.
Here in town, I have regrouped. Some phone calls to friends have helped. I have busied myself with laundry, drying out my gear, and re-planning my schedule. My stay with Andy Frazier on Saturday is moved ahead a day to Friday. I will have breakfast with the Matney's on Saturday before I leave town instead of lunch with them as I had planned as I arrived in town. I spent the evening relaxing and watching the stroms roll over the mountaintops all around Erwin, glad I was not up there.
I'm still struggling with the losses in my life more than I care to admit. It's not something I can fight, but is very real nevertheless. It makes me realize how much of a Phoenix journey this summer really is.
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