Date: 2017-10-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Late last month I briefly went back to the trail where I started, close to Bull's Bridge, CT. I wanted to see a meteor shower, and with the usual articles describing the Orionids around October 21st, I decided to go where it would be dark enough to get some visibility. The night was clear, and the moon was new, just a sliver. I camped at the tent site where the Ten Mile River flows into the Housatonic. I had company: a scoutmaster with two scouts, two men with a surly dog, and three young people partying. The men with the dog took the shelter, which is on a large open space. The dog behaved badly and I decided to use my tent and work from the smaller open area at the tent site. In any event, it was cold, I got up in the middle of the night and saw one meteor. I plan to try again, in November the Leonids are scheduled for the 17th, again with a new moon. Weather permitting, I'll be there. The river was pretty in the morning, misty where it turned and headed down to the sea, and decorated with autumn leaves on one bank. I took the Homestead Trail back toward my car, since it was easier walking and I had already done the section several times. And I passed the sign where the AT turns North, which is where I started late in 2012. As my section hike developed, the goal of completing it by the time I was 70 became part of my thinking. I got a little confused, perhaps because the Bible talks about three score and ten as the normal lifespan. So somewhere in the back of my mind, completing the trail was like the final goal and endpoint of my life, after which I was just supposed to hang around and wait for the end. I won't say I got depressed, just a little bit at loose ends, what do I do now? I played with various options, one of which was to become a full-time protestor against the current administration, neo Nazis, white supremacists and alt-right organizations, etc. Then there was the scheme of going down to Nashville and becoming a country singer, along the lines of Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Townes Van Zandt, Hank Williams, etc. Never realistic, and less so at 70. Nobody wants to hear an old guy sing, although Willie would be an exception. A lot of them had life styles that weren't conducive to longevity, I'm not sure whether its a BFOQ or not. Anyway for whatever bonus years I get, the plan is to continue writing about stocks, collect the modest income from page clicks, and donate the proceeds to causes I support. I plan to continue hiking, but not much backpacking, and more focus on enjoying nature. I will stay with the guitar and singing, and learn a few new songs from time to time.  If I had been aware of how difficult the terrain is in NH and ME I wouldn't have committed to making the journey. But once I got started, it turned into a pilgrimage of sorts, a once in a lifetime journey, with Katahdin as the goal. Somewhere in human nature is the archetype of life as a journey, and the Appalachian Trail with its grand sweep fits into the mold. Certainly one can learn (or practice) patience, perseverance, planning, preparation, tolerance, courage, fortitude and other life skills on the trail. And it's always good to get away from modern life and focus on basics like food, shelter and water. It clears the mind. Happy Trails to All.