Date: 2004-04-28
To: Erwin Tennessee
Miles today: 0.0

Much to my surprise my hike is back on track. After a meeting on Monday afternoon, it turned out that I can just fit my hike in on the original schedule and everything should turn out fine, Lord willing. I have been scrambling since then, going over checklists and cramming the last minute preparation into the remaining time. Everything has been so rushed that I hope I'm not forgetting something important. It's 4:45 in the morning, and I am ready to load up and head out to get the rental car and the drive to the trail. I should be in Erwin Tennessee tonight, ready to begin hiking at sunrise tomorrow. I'm very excited and anticipating getting started. More to come. Birmingham Alabama to Erwin Tennessee Today was full of many varied experiences. I awoke at 4:30 in my bed at home and got up quickly to shower and finish my final packing to be ready to leave around 5:30. Marlene and I loaded up my gear, I said goodbye to Zac who sleepily acknowledged my words and then we were off. This was different in that I was planning to rent a car and drive to the trail instead of being dropped off by Marlene right on the path as in years past. At the airport we waited about 1/2 hour to get the car and then transferred my gear and I was ready. We said our goodbyes and went to our separate vehicles. It was hard to part. We drove the airport approach road side by side, waving more goodbyes as we went. On the interstate we drove together for a few hundred yards and then I watched as the lanes split, with me taking I59 north and Marlene taking I20 east. The long fork, that is formed as the two roads diverge, gradually widened, and soon the distance and a small hill took her out of my sight. So that was it. The trip had begun. I had a very enjoyable drive. I thought about Marlene as I drove and got excited as I anticipated the hike and reviewed the plans for the next two weeks. Until I got to the Georgia state line. We have a habit that we kiss as we cross state lines - a tradition that began on our honeymoon in 1976. (We have never missed, except a few times when Marlene was grouchy (or was it me??!)) As I hit the state line I looked over at the other seat and saw a pile of maps and plastic bags where she would have been. I imagined her there, chattering away in her usual animated manner, and felt a twinge of loneliness as I said goodbye to Alabama and hello to Georgia. I missed her then. On through Chattanooga and Knoxville and it was time to phone Vicky, Tom's wife, and check in about getting picked up at the Tri-Cities airport. She was there and ready to come when I called again later upon my arrival, along with her brother-in-law Bill Ponder. When they pulled up in Bill's van I knew it was her as her sign for me was to be carrying a red bandana. We shook hands, and then hugged, and I could tell her heart was still heavy over the loss of her husband. I met Bill and we seemed to get along right away. The trip to Erwin went by quickly as we got to know each other and enjoyed the beautiful countryside. All along the way Bill and Vicky pointed out the mountains along the Appalachian Trail route, off in the distance. The higher elevations were bare of new spring leaves, just as I had hoped. It was interesting to see the lower mountains fully leafed out, and tiny bare trees along the high ridge lines. We stopped at Miss Janet's hostel just to see her. She was not there - out on a shuttle run I think - and the hostel was full, so we went on to Uncle Johnny's. This worked out for the best as I want to get on the trail at sunrise, and Uncle Johnny's is right next to the trail where I ended last year's hike. After getting checked in, we went to Bill's to pick up his wife Brenda, who is Vicky's sister, and then out to eat at a local restaurant for a great home-cooked meal. It was a good time to get to know one another. Bill invited me to church for Wednesday everning service. I learned that he is the Pastor of a Southern Baptist church in the area. Vicky had a plastic bag full of special gifts for me. As I opened the ziploc bag, I found some of Tom's homemade beef jerky, Tom's GA - ME AT patch for me to sew onto my pack, two pictures of Tom - the first time I laid eyes on him, a copy of the funeral card/program, and a KJV new testament that she had given to Tom at Christmas this year so he could take it on his hikes. It was inscribed originally to Tom, then to me, dated today 4/28/2004 as a gift to me in his memory. She wanted me to have it because my friendship with Tom had been important to him. I will carry it on my hikes, and guard it as a special gift. They dropped me off at the hostel so I could arrange my gear for the night and then they came back to pick me up in time for church. It was a neat Wednesday evening prayer service in a small church. I got a chance to say a few words to introduce myself and spoke of my relationship with the Lord, and about how I knew Tom. We sang old hymns and had a great time together. We chatted for a few minutes afterwards on the lawn. It was a beautiful little church in a mountain setting, and a pretty late Spring evening. I made some new friends today. Vicky gave me a ride back to the hostel. She thanked me for being Tom's friend. He was looking forward to hiking a few days together, as was I, and I think our meeting will help her along the grieving process. We hugged goodbye and I could still sense her sorrow. I went up onto the hostel deck and watched her drive away, with one final wave. I pray that God will comfort her. I know her aloneness is hard to bear right now. I turned and joined the group of hikers assembled around the hostel and immersed myself in life on the trail. I met Half Moon, Gyspy Wind and others - all very friendly and good company. I have a bunk in the hostel bunkhouse. It is 9:30 p.m. and we are sitting around quietly writing, watching an Indiana Jones movie (Raiders of the Lost Ark - typical hostel fare) and enjoying quiet conversation. I am ready to start in the morning. I plan to leave early - at first light. A very full and interesting day. I miss Marlene as I settle in for the night. This year's trip has begun and I am ready. I am reminded of some verses in the Bible: Isaiah 40:28-31 - Do you not know? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. It will be my inspiration as I hike along. Goodnight Sweetheart.