Date: 2003-09-09
From: Bodfish Farm Road

To: A Pause for a Story
Miles today: 0.0

I have a story to tell. It should have been told ten months ago, but the party in question expressed reservations, which I honored. He was being gallant, it turns out, trying to protect me. And he was right. The world is full of resentful people.But it left a big hole in my AT "story," and I wanted credit to fall where credit was due. My friend finally consented to let me tell this tale. Ha! I guess he figured out I could handle myself however the chips fell. So to those who, upon hearing this story, feel some resentment towards him or towards me, I say two words, and I say them with all my heart: grow up! My friend Dan Hammer had a dream like mine - to walk the entire Appalachian Trail. As a longtime trail maintainer and member of the Tidewater AT Club, he'd certainly seen the AT from the working end. Now it was his time to walk. So one spring, he set off from Springer, Georgia with his backpack.But Dan's generous and life-loving heart was damaged by a previous heart attack. It was not up to the stiff, oxygen-demanding climbs of the southern AT. Hammer was forced, against his desires, to call off his thru-hike.But the dream of that long walk from Georgia to Maine never left him. If he couldn't hike it, maybe he could help someone else hike it.It turned out that I was that someone. Like everyone else applying for this one-time grant, I had to go through a filtering process, and write letters, offer references, answer questions, get checked out by Hammer and his daughter Holly. But after all the paperwork flew, on January 3, I got the word: Hammer was officially my "sponsor."I knew it was going to be a great partnership when his grown daughter Holly signed my guestbook saying "my father is AWESOME!" Anyone who can inspire that sort of admiration from an adult child IS awesome.So, now I am in Maine. And Hammer has "walked" with me, every step of the way. Some of you have commented on the length of my online journal entries. Yes, I can go on... I knew from the beginning I wanted to chronicle my experience as accurately as possible - so I could remember, and also so future hikers could draw benefit.But it was also to give Hammer a bird's eye view of the AT experience; in the process, I've gotten comments from many folks who felt THEY had gotten one as well. Keeping an online journal has been an enormous amount of work, but also a joy. I have gotten so much back from you all.The story continues. In addition to sponsorship, Hammer became a friend and super cheerleader. He made sure I was dry-bunked at Trail Days (thank you Sandy!). When I lost my jacket and ID before The Partnership Shelter in Virginia - a potentially hike-ending incident - it took but one call and Hammer had mustered the Seventh Cavalry! Folks turned up at the shelter with cash money for me to continue. New debit cards appeared. Moral support was extended. I felt utterly supported, and I will never forget that fantastic outpouring at my lowest time. It was impressive how many friends Dan Hammer had! So, I wanted this particular story "out there" as I head out into the 100-mile Wilderness. If the Fates continue to grace me with good health and a northbound direction, I will stand on Katahdin September 19 or 20. And yes, while "the summit" will be for me, and also for Hospice, it will also be for my friend and constant "hiking buddy," the one who has "walked" every step of the AT with me in spirit - Dan Hammer.Thanks, Hammer! Thank you.