Date: 2004-06-21
From: Blackburn Trail Center

To: Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: few clouds

The morning's majesty has spoken. Shades of pink, orange, fusia, and purple vie for which can be most beautiful. Slowly the orange fades with the rising dawn and the lilac clouds are highlighted by a faint glow of flouresence. The birds sing, unaware that anyone is sleeping. The misty blue ridges lay below skies everchanging pastel, afraid to move and miss the view unfolding. Slowly homes appear out of the mist, rivers come into light, and a city presents itself in the distance. Neath the layers of powder blue, white, and neon pink, I'm met by the direction of my youth. The city is Wahsington,D.C. arrayed in its splendor; beyond that is the subtle comfort that raised me: My sweet Maryland. As illumination grows, and light from the levitating flame sneaks throught the trees, my longing for that comfort awakens with the valley before me. I peer toward the horizon filled with hope and warmth flows in my heart despite the uncharacteristic summer chill encompassing me. I know that soon the sky will again return to blue, the various shades will dissipate, the summer sun will rise again to reclaim her throne in the sky, and I will make a journey eastward; a journey to my home.   Sometimes I don't feel I deserve to witness the radiant blessings God showers on me. I'm not worthy to bask in a creation so perfect. Undeserving or not, I don't complain. I enjoy the soft caress of my Creator's hand. This morning I awoke to such a blessing and my heart was touched before I walked even a mile. From that point my day would sink into a difficult journey only to be resurrected to yet an even larger sense of joy.   I wrote the introduction of this journal at 8 AM after witnessing the gorgeous sunrise. At 8:15 AM, only moments later, my mood would drop precipitously. I could tell something was wrong with Skippy and Poppins earlier and it was at the above time they told me they wanted to hike alone for a bit. Yippee let me know why. Last night I relayed a story to Yippee and Jabberwock about the events on the night of June __th. When I relayed them I knew that they both read my journals and would soon know the events anyway. What I had forgotten was my promise not to talk to hikers or write in the registers about that night. My lack of thought and assumptions that it would be OK had led me to betray my friends confidence without even realizing it. Skippy and Poppins had heard me the previous night and had become upset. They had every right to be. This morning they had pulled Yippee aside and taked to her. When Yippee told me this and I realized fully what I had done, my stomach sank. I felt like a jerk and was afraid I had lost 2 good friends.   I have enjoyed Skippy and Poppin's company so much and I felt alone when I saw them hike on . Thank God taht Yippee and Jabberwock were there. Yippee and Jabberwock may be the coolest couple I have met on the trail. They were happy to have me hike with them and they comforted me that my friends would understand my misunderstanding and forgive my poor decision. I quickly realized how similar Jabberwock and I are in some ways. As we began to hike we began to talk. The conversation completely distracted me from my dilemma.   Jabberwock and I entered a huge discussion on God, war, religion, and passive response. Over 2 1/2 hours we delved deep into thought and bounced numerous ideas off of each other. Every once in a while Yippee would join in too. We all stopped however after 3 miles: We hit the 1,000 mile mark...WOOHOO! Though I wished I had Skippy and Poppins with me, I had awesome friends on both sides. Yippee hiked ahead and let us alone to converse. By the time we wrapped up conversation and reunited with Yippee we had flown through 7 miles.    My stomach hurt for the last 5 miles, partially due to a deeper worry in my gut. The 3 of us hike on and yet again my freinds distracted me. Yippee and I talked bout bad movies ("The Day After Tomorrow", "Wild Wild West", "Radio", etc.) Then shortly after lunch Jaberwock quated the entire poem "The Raven"(very impressive). I rapped for them, and we all hit Harper's Ferry togethter. Harper's Ferry, the symbolic halfway point, a beautiful town, yet still my mind was focused solely on my friends.   I hiked the last mile to the footbridge alone and Jaberwock and Yippee headed to hte Post Office. I prayed as I walked and let God have my concerns. Soon I reached the Maryland line but stopped without crossing. I will enter Maryland when I return. As I tuend around I saw "Lonesome Dove" for the first time in 2 weeks. SHe cheered me up before I went to approach the A.T.C. (Appalachian Trail Conference) Office. As I said goodbye to Lonesome Dove, and headed up the hill to the A.T.C., I saw my estranged friends approaching in the opposite direction.    Skippy and Poppins smiled and said "hello". The said they assumed I would catch up, but I cut to the chase. I apologized for being an idiot and told them how much I regretted my actions. As I explained myself they were accepting. I should have realized they would be since they are awesome friends. Still it was awesome to see them and not fret during my triop home. As I cleared my conscience they smiled and Poppins let me know what was on her mind. She did not want to answer questions if people read my journal. (If you are reading this now, please do not bother my friends; I will update my June journal to its full explanation after the trail, and not until then. Thank you.) After talking I decided to omitpart of my journal until after the trail so as to avoid questions that are uncomfortable for my friends. I let Poppins knokw this and see seemed far happier. I felt so blessed to run into them and know our friendship was OK. My prayer was answered.    I said goodbye to the ladies and went to the A.T.C.Office. There I signed in as the 396th Thru-hiker to reach Harper's Ferry this year. It was an awesome moment & was the first time it sunk in. They took my picture as I drank a cold coke. There in the sign-in book I saw Walk Softly, Krispy Kritter, The Roman Noodles, and countless other friends. I was so happy! I said goodbye to Yippee and Jaberwock and thanked them for their help this morning. Then I left to find my sister Carla and to go home.   I hugged my sister and we left the trail. I love her, and though anxious, I'm excited to see my family. We took a break at the McDonald's and I had 2 double cheeseburgers and 2 McCHichen Sandwiches. I'm not going to write journals while I'm at home...it's my time off. I'll be home soon where I will see my Dad and my friends. I'll write again in 3 days (hopefully) which is when I plan to try the 40.5 miles of Maryland in a day. Until then, I wish everyone well. I hope it is aparent how awesome God has blessed me out here so far. I'll write more about those blessings and my daily life when I return. 1,000 miles...WOW!   Beatbox ttt