Before I leave town, I am going to find a place that serves the biggest, greasy cheeseburger around and order one up in memory of Johnny Walker, Highlander, Wildcat, and all the other friends I met along the path that have filled my life this summer.
September 6, 2013
I am settled into my last camp before Harpers Ferry. Tomorrow morning I will hike about 4.5 miles to a bridge crossing the Shenandoah River. Once across the river I will be in town.
There are several things I have planned once I get there. First, I will visit the headquarters of the ATC, which oversees the trail and promotes it's care and use. Once I have paid my respects to the organization that made my hike possible, I plan on finding a quiet stop nearby and spend some time remembering my Dad and Highlander. Both of them were convinced I would make it here, and in many ways have walked with me the entire journey. Before I leave town, I am going to find a place that serves the biggest, greasy cheeseburger around and order one up in memory of Johnny Walker, Highlander, Wildcat, and all the other friends I met along the path that have filled my life this summer. When I finish, I plan to spend some time giving thanks for all the people who stepped forward and helped make this hike really happen.
For tonight, I am celebrating with a last fire at my last campsite. I thought I was completely alone, enjoying my fire in the failing light, when a lone hiker came down the trail southbound. In the last light of the day he set up his tent and joined me at the fire. He had started at Harpers Ferry today and is headed south to hike the entire state of Virginia over the next six weeks. We talked until 9 pm, way after hiker's midnight, sharing stories and offering advice and swapping notes. It seems fitting to have him join me tonight. He is just beginning and I am ready to end.
I am settled now in the familiar comfort of my tent, my portable home for the summer. The woods around me are filled with the night sounds of the great outdoors. The rhythm of the insects is pulling me down into the place of sleep. What was so foreign to me just a few months ago is now familiar and comforting. I'm going to miss this!
I am settled into my last camp before Harpers Ferry. Tomorrow morning I will hike about 4.5 miles to a bridge crossing the Shenandoah River. Once across the river I will be in town.
There are several things I have planned once I get there. First, I will visit the headquarters of the ATC, which oversees the trail and promotes it's care and use. Once I have paid my respects to the organization that made my hike possible, I plan on finding a quiet stop nearby and spend some time remembering my Dad and Highlander. Both of them were convinced I would make it here, and in many ways have walked with me the entire journey. Before I leave town, I am going to find a place that serves the biggest, greasy cheeseburger around and order one up in memory of Johnny Walker, Highlander, Wildcat, and all the other friends I met along the path that have filled my life this summer. When I finish, I plan to spend some time giving thanks for all the people who stepped forward and helped make this hike really happen.
For tonight, I am celebrating with a last fire at my last campsite. I thought I was completely alone, enjoying my fire in the failing light, when a lone hiker came down the trail southbound. In the last light of the day he set up his tent and joined me at the fire. He had started at Harpers Ferry today and is headed south to hike the entire state of Virginia over the next six weeks. We talked until 9 pm, way after hiker's midnight, sharing stories and offering advice and swapping notes. It seems fitting to have him join me tonight. He is just beginning and I am ready to end.
I am settled now in the familiar comfort of my tent, my portable home for the summer. The woods around me are filled with the night sounds of the great outdoors. The rhythm of the insects is pulling me down into the place of sleep. What was so foreign to me just a few months ago is now familiar and comforting. I'm going to miss this!
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