Date: 2004-10-01
From: East B Hill Rd.

To: Bemis Mtn. Lean-to
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: clear sky

I just finished night hiking. The moon is a sliver shy of being full and has a faint orange glow. The stars dot the sky with Orion proudly donning his belt. My day went by quickly but was wonderful. All day I just talked with God as I walked. After 10 days of sleeping barely 4 hours a night, I slept 10 hours last night :-). Pop Tart and I took our time to pack up. Paul and Eileen, our hosts, gave us tea and we thanked them for everything. Pine Ellis B&B was the quiet rest I needed, whereas ¢The Cabin¢ was wonderful, but less ideal for holing up in a room. At just prior to 11 a.m. we packed up to hit the trail. We started around 11:15. As we started the sky was blue, the air crisp. The leaves even more colorful than yesterday, and the path perfect. As we started Pop Tart and I began to debate about who should be president. We both saw the 1st debate on TV last night. As usual I am significantly torn in liking neither candidate. Pop Tart defended Kerry and I took up the reasons to vote Nader or Bush. We never reached a ¢resolution¢ but it was fun. As we decided to move on I realized that our pace had been extremely fast. At 2 miles I moved past Pop Tart and passed a gorgeous mountain lake reflecting the foliage encompassing it. It was sweet. As I hiked on through the leaves on an easy slope I prayed and reflected on God. Then, I had the following fun thought: I have the perfect hiking partner. He loves to walk with me and he¢s walked the path I¢m on before. Whenever I¢m willing to ask him for help he guides me. When I add ¢weight¢ to the burden on my back, he¢s ready to take as much of my load as I give him. He never complains but is always at my side to encourage me. He¢s also there to pick me up when I fall. He would do anything for me. I just wish I could walk like him :-). My spiritual contemplation was cut short as a loud sound startled me. Suddenly, a huge bull moose went running through the woods as it heard me approach. It was massive and I was in awe. Sadly, I am out of film for the next 4 days :-(. Still the powerful beast impressed me and I felt blessed to see it. With slightly more adrenaline racing through my body, I reached the shelter 6 miles in. The ¢easy¢ part of my day was over. As I left I began a 1.4 mile steep downhill. To my surprise, my knees felt better than they have in a while. As I walked I reflected on the people I have met on this hike who I now consider my friends. I thought of staying in WalkSoftly¢s home, of both of us along with Indiana Jane and the Roman Noodles holed up in Gatlinburg. Happy, Krispy, BooBoo, and others I walked through Virginia with. I thought of the Shenandoahs with Skippy, Poppins, & Friar. I thought of southbound stints with Gordy as well as Tinkerbell and Tapeworm. So many friends have touched me out here. As I walked I prayed for my friends with a tear in my eye. The down hill was not as bad as I expected. At the bottom I reached a brook that has to be forded in high water season, but in October I could easily hop across on the rocks. Then I began to climb Moody Mtn. At first the slope was steep with bars secured into the rock for added support. As I pulled my body straight up I ached, I was sweating profusely, and a few tears even pored out of my eyes. In 10 minutes though, the worst of my climb was over. In no time at all I was at the top and then gently descending the leaf-covered trail. Again, I drifted into deep thought. This time my mother would be proud :-). I thought about the real world that awaits me in 2 weeks. I thought about budgets, planning, and stewardship. I also thought about being humble, godly, and not living for ¢things¢. As I return home I¢m dead broke and in debt. I¢m not stressed but aware I must address certain issues. Can I live at home? Where should I work for the first few months? I need to wrap up my masters defense. I also want to begin classes (slowly) to be a youth pastor. Where I often ¢worry¢ about the above things I just processed them and prayed. I know it will not be easy, but I know God will carry me must as he does out here.   I want my hike and my life to glorify him. Around 4:30 p.m. I reached South Arm Road at the base of Old Blue. I had heard it would be a long climb, 2,200 feet in 2.8 miles. As I started I felt surprisingly nimble and I moved quickly. I was still thinking of home as I moved. I could feel myself sweating, but I did not feel tired. As I reached 2 small acmes I knew I had not covered 3 miles so I pushed on expecting the ¢big climb¢ ahead. It never came. I ran into a very late sobo (started 9/20) who told me I was 5 minutes from the top. It was 6:17 and I felt ¢fresh¢. I happily jaunted up to the top of the hill. Atop the summit I was nestled in pine. I could see the beauteous pinks and orange of the setting sun. The mountains faded with a perfect blue beneath a light purple haze. The colorful trees slowly dropped into shadow. Awestruck, I thanked God. Then I pushed quickly to use the last of the day¢s light. The beginning of the descent was nice. There were numerous bog walks and it was generally flat to gentle. By the time dusk was fully over I was another 1.5 miles from Old Blue. 4.4 to go through the night to the shelter. As though the AT was teasing me the trail became very rocky and laden with roots right as night settled in. Rather than letting the obstacles get me I slowly navigated them through the night. Dodging rock after root I slowly began to climb Bemis. More of the same. No steep climb just mud and obstacles to avoid. After a careful walk I found myself 1.7 miles from the shelter atop the mountain. My final section was awesome. From Bemis the trail was often on a rocky ridge. Stars shown through the openings in the pine as I walked along the rock trail. The moon seemed to smile with a glorious radiance. Where I had begun to be tired the night picked me up. It was inspiring. I finished my day of thought in prayer and song. I prayed for friends and family, my life and future, my desire to have a family someday, but most of all for my hope to fully serve him. On the trail I¢ve learned to be disciplined and walk with God each day. At home I want to be set apart for him. All day long today I was touched. Maine is beautiful, especially in the clear weather. From lakes to Moose to a perfect night, I walk in a dream. Still I believe I¢m ready to wake up¢¦but first I will sleep a few more minutes :-), they are always the best ones. The NightThe stars remind me who I am One of the sons of AbrahamAnd as I stare into the night I watch the moon reflect the lightSomeday I hope to do the same And point others toward his nameFor though within this realm I¢m smallJust looking up I hear the callTo go and shine just like a starTo other people where they areFor as I stare at sky above I¢m overtaken by his love.Goodnight, BEATBOX   ttt