Date: 2008-08-23
From: Baxter Peak, Katahdin

To: Hammock in back yard
Miles today: 0.0

Yes, I have been procrastinating. It's been a week since I arrived back in Ohio. I never realized Ohio could be this nice. I have stayed warm and dry since coming home. Saturday I held my grandson Isaac for the first time. He was born on May 13th. while I was hiking in Virginia. He is a real cute baby as you can tell by the pictures. If you haven't noticed, the latest pictures have been posted. Sunday night my family got together for the feast we had been planning and I had looked forward to. My sister Pearl had white blazes out by the road directing me to their house. They met me with a welcome home sign. The meal was absolutly delicious. There was even a wild flower arrangement for an appetizer sent by my Florida connection. After the evening was over, my friend Ina commented to me about how my family honored me and my hike. I realized how fortunate I was to have a family that cared about me. That was reinforced while sitting in church Sunday morning. As I looked around the sanctuary I saw so many familiar faces that have helped shape my life. Even the folks I don't talk to on a regular basis are part of the fabric of my life. I am part of a group of people that accepts me, and we need each others support. On the hike I realized how much we need people in our lives. There are so many people that helped make my hike possible. All along the trail folks were so helpful and kind. My thanks go out to Gary and Lenny Poteat at Blueberry Hostel, Maria McCabe in Salisbury, Ct. Robert Bird at the Bird House in Dalton, Ma. also to my friends Rick and Donna Malwitz who picked me up in Vernon, New Jersey and took me out to eat. Abner and Virginia Schlabach met me in Rutland, Vemont and bought me supper there. In Monson, Maine I was invited into Daryl and Mary Whitmers house where Mary cooked a delicious meal. In Port Clinton, Pa. the Brubakers had a feed for us, then invited me to their house overnight. I met Springer and Patty on the trail one day and we used their motorhome to search for an unfindable hot dog stand. To my friend Ina who sent me food drops and took me to Damascus to trail days, thank you. You probably saved my hike by realizing I was not eating right and changing my diet at Daleville. Leaving Daleville that day was so lonely. I was undernourished, had shin splints and was hiking alone for the first time. That was the low point of my hike. It was also when I realized the importance of people in my life. On the first day of my hike I met 26.2 my first hiking partner. He was a marathon runner who thought the trail was just another race. I soon realized how hard this hike would be, but was determined to keep up with him. On my second day I met Mountain Sailor and we hiked together for the first 740 miles. His son joined him and I hiked on alone. Mountain Sailor is in the 100 mile wilderness now and will finish early next week, I think. I sure hope it stopped raining up there so the trails and river crossings improve. I also wish to thank my other hiking partners Shiloh, Rethinker, Hometown and Site See. It was a real joy getting to know each of you. Although it would have seemed impossible to all of us, we ended up on top of Katadhin together. I have been asked what I will do now. I am considering writing a book about the experience, and have been asked to speak at several events. Part of the reason for this hike was to have a platform to speak to men. I have been encouraging men to not take their spouses and families for granted. It is so painfull to watch as men leave their families to try and find what they feel they are missing. Do they not realize the pain those children feel. Any grown boy can father a child, but it takes a real man to help raise them. Anything you are doing, all the extra hours away from home, any extra money you are making will never compensate for the loss of time with your family. You may think I am being overly critical, but I assure you the finger of blame is pointed at myself first. I put many regrets to rest on this hike and should you choose to take my advise you will save yourself much pain and get the blessing of time spent with your family. With school starting this week I was reminded of something that happened many years ago. I am very sentimental when it comes to new beginnings and endings. I personally don't like endings and have had too many of them. It was the first day of school for my young daughter. I told her I would be there to see her off on the bus. I got delayed at work and arrived home too late to see her off. What I did see was a fresh set of footprints going up the lawn where she had gotten on the bus. I had blown it that day, something else was more important. What is most important in your life, is what you will do. Men, don't arrive so late that all you see is your childrens footprints, be there to watch them make them. I still weep when I recall this missed opportunity. Finally, I wish to thank my former co-worker and friend Ina and my friend Ivan from Sarasota, Fla. for their encouragement and support before and during this hike. The decision to retire from a good job to do this hike was not an easy one, but their support and advise helped so much. And to you my readers I say a big thank you. Your guest entries were so encouraging. Any time I would get cell service I would always check to see if any one had written. I am so honored that you were interested in my hike. I will from time to time post here, but if you wish to reach me you can at pstutzman@adelphia.net. And now abides Faith, Hope, and Love but the greatest of these is LOVE. Your friend, Paul[apostle] Stutzman