Greetings from Kent, Connecticut!
I've made it up to New England with 720 miles left till Mt Katahdin, Maine. It's been 1, 400 miles since I left Mt Springer, Georgia one year and three months ago! Getting closer and closer to my final destination :) I'm almost done with this section, only 5 more days to go on the Trail and then I'm heading back home to Ohio for family vacation, moving into an apartment and starting the school year teaching Spanish. I'm already planning my next hike for next spring and summer. Two months and 700 miles from Massachusetts to Maine :)
The thing I love most about backpacking the Appalachian Trail is the people. I am constantly moved with a deep hope and trust in the beauty of humanity. On a daily basis, I meet complete strangers who encourage me, believe in me and offer their hospitality to me without even knowing who I am or where I am from. They give abundantly without expecting anything in return. It is so incredibly refreshing and so desperately needed in a society that is bombarded with division and fear. When nightmares are being repeated on the daily news and neighbors don't even know each other. The kindness and hospitality is what pushes me when the Trail gets tough; when all my gear is soaked, when I'm exhausted, smelly and sore. This kindness is what keeps me going on the Trail and it is my hope and prayer to bring this kindness back with me to life back "off Trail." This trip has been so refreshing and rejuvenating for my spirit. I am utterly thankful for the beautiful people hiking out here and to the woods who lures us in to seek fellowship with nature :)
I encourage you to go out for a walk in the woods and see what you will find :)
Have fun!
Gaucha
Dear Rachel,
ReplyDeleteI took your advice, and went outside for a walk in the tiny suburban woods behind my house. The sun hadn't come up yet. The full moon was the first thing I noticed. I walked on the overgrown path and remembered that a skunk lives around here. It didn't show up. I walked into the park behind the house, and went to the neighbor's path. When I got back to our backyard, I tried walking on the old paths that my late father had lovingly tended. They have returned to natural wildness, but I found my way partly through. The branches were in my face, and I got covered with prickly things, so as I stumbled through, I started laughing. I laughed all the way into the house, where I walked upstairs to the computer. Here I am. This is life.
Yours in the Sangha,
Kongsaeng Chris Everson