Epic Days!

I have spent the last couple of weeks traveling I-95, learning a little more about my own country and seeing old friends. It began with a quick stay in NYC with two friends that I studied with in Buenas Aires, Argentina, then I continued to Cape Cod where it was an Ambassador reunion (i.e. college friends). It was blast. We did nothing but eat, drink, and be merry. Of course, with the occasional political conversation, but hey, that's what friends are for. Occasionally, they challenge you way of thinking.

Next I was on to Boston to see a little of this country's most interesting history. I admit the T is a little confusing, but when you ahve a good local tour guide it's fairly mindless. After wearing out my welcome there, I was off to meet Raleigh in Manchester, NH. We overnighted in an Econolodge, and then the next morning were off to N. Conway to meet some friends of his and jump back on the AT. Raleight is currently thru-hiking southbound and had jumped off to suprise his mom in NC for her birthday. Since, having started he had suffered through rain about every day. I believe it was one of the wettest summers in New England history. And, the trend continued while Raleigh and I hiked through The Whites.

It was our second day on the trail when Raleigh and I had our first Epic Adventure. We started out late because of lightening and thunder. Leaving the shelter we made good time towards our destination. Our intention was to possibly meet his friends at a visitor center and either bivy out back of possibly catch a ride into town for a hot meal. After the day we had, we choose the latter. So, we arrive at one of the huts around 5:00 p.m. and decide to press on another 6 miles to make the VC and get our hot meal. Our thinking was 2 miles per hour, how difficult could this be. We had been averaging well over this pace the entire time walking. So, we setout. Around 8.15 p.m. we were finally at the top of the ridge, yikes. We could the VC was a couple thousand feet below us, packed with dry, warm, tourists. Once again, we were really looking forward to doning our warm, dry clothes so we continued to meet our friends. It began to rain really heavily just as the sun set behind the mountains so we put on the headlamps. Unfortunately, mine was only had the red tinted lense for reading in close quarters, which proved to be supremely ineffective for navigating steep, slippery rocks, in fog, at night.

About two hours later, after loosing the trial twice and charing through a caution tape barrier (marking the trail was closed) we arrived at the river. The only thing standing between us and the VC. Against our better judgement we charged the river with packs unbuckled in case we were swept away. The water was moving pretty good because of hte contiuous rain and quickly we found ourselves on hands and knees crwaling. Upon reaching the other side, we were estatic. Another quick one mile hoof to the VC and we were headed back to town. Fresh zucchini muffins, pine nut pasta and hot showers were just what we needed.

Once again, the kindess of strangers or at least new friends is overwhelming. Just when you are beat down and need a few nice gestures, you find the kindness of another. It boils down to a few simple things when hiking, let alone life. Food, water, shelter, and someone to talk too...these things can make the most of any situation.