Date: 2007-09-08
From: Mt. Katahdin Summit--Journey's End

To: Back to My Other Life...Sill I Rise.
Miles today: 0.0

***Darren is fine. As with most teens he recovered well but sad he was unable to finish the journey.I miss the music of the trees, streams, hiking poles and even the rocks that linger deep and long in my soul. The very personal aspect of walking the Trail is lost on most who focus on the distance, time it took and the why (...to hike or not to hike, that is the ???). The reason(s) for my journey were manifold (much of it I have no words for), but I just could not escape the draw of the mountains--they kept calling me--along with the promise of a serious personal challenge. I'm still sorting out the spiritual and emotional aspects and how they fit into my life. I feel a deep sense of satisfaction and it is reportedly evident in my eyes. My mind's eye has a tremendous series of views and vistas that will remain with me till I depart this life and quite possibly after that. The journey of a lifetime is truly only just now beginning. Now that the dust has settled and I'm forced into a 'normal routine' I'm finding what "stress" is again. The largest contributor so far is driving, which I used to enjoy. Not to mention my teen boys who are in the "Teenage Wasteland" and "James Dean" phase of this wonderful life. However, I really like sleeping in my bed, sitting in chairs and eating fresh food again. I also very much missed my music. The news is slow, sad and heartbreaking. My body and scraggly beard draw the most comment. While I knew I lost weight, I did not realize how much my whole body had changed, more Hunter-Gatherer less Cro-magnon Couch-Potato (and none of my clothes fit, but I'll wait a while before $$$). I also can't believe how much "stuff" I have, sad almost. The beard is coming off next week and some of the weight will surely, slowly reappear soon enough.Most often asked questions from my friends so far:-See any bears? (so I know they only skimmed the blog) Yes-Did you carry a gun? No (shock, horror)-Will you do it again? No-What is your next hike? A leisurely 350 mile stroll from Oundle to Cornwall with my good friend Stephen via B&B's (of course).-What do you remember most? How hard the last few weeks on the Trail were and the generosity of strangers.If you are thinking about a long distance hike, or fulfilling a lifetime's ambition, get up and walk thru the door! My starting music selections: "Raincheck" by Van Morrison, "Hymns to the Silence" by Van Morrison, "The Philosophers Stone" by Van Morrison, "Alan Watts Blues" by Van Morrison, "Go the Distance" by Walter Trout, "Everybody's Talking at Me" by Harry Nilsson, "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong and "Imagine" by John Lennon. Start your own today..."Hike Your Own Hike""To those who would see the Maine wilderness, tramp day by day through a succession of ever delightful forest, past lake and stream, and over mountains, we would say: Follow the Appalachian Trail across Maine. It cannot be followed on horse or awheel. Remote for detachment, narrow for chosen company, winding for leisure, lonely for contemplation, it beckons not merely north and south but upward to the body, mind and soul of man." - Myron Avery, In the Maine Woods, 1934