Dawn of the Ducks – Part 4: The path provides

Walking long distances presents a variety of challenges and I am diligent when I launch myself into them. But there are times when overcoming adversity alone is overwhelming. So I have incorporated a method that I use in my daily life.

In difficult moments (hours, days) I rely on my imagination to overcome obstacles. I imagine myself surrounded by people, with all eyes on me.

Some faces I can see very clearly; I know exactly who they are.

The people I admire: some are family, others are long-time friends, and some I have only met in passing.

People who have had a positive impact on my life.

This helps me go deeper, endure the pain, endure the heat, the cold, the rain.

Maintain my standard. Move forward with integrity.

I strive to make the people behind those watching eyes proud enough to say to the person next to them:

That’s my son.

That’s my brother.

That’s my friend.

I am an unsupported supported hiker.

That guy with the big smile: I see you.

The family that reads my stories, watches my videos, follows the journey; You help me walk through the hard pastures of Greene. I see you.

Hey, you’re in the truck reading this before work, I see you.

The co-worker. The fellow hiker. I see you.

You are the faces that bring the fireworks.

Thank you for your support.

At some point, the walk becomes easier…

unless you accidentally do something that sends you on a side quest.

By the time all this happened, I had already seen a lot…

maximum patch,

Roan Highlands,

the smoked ones,

Clingman’s Dome,

the wild ponies of Grayson Highlands: a pony nibble on the handle of my trekking pole…

to name a few.

I really thought I had it all figured out.

That was until the fateful moment when he made a mistake and needed to check the saying, the trail provides.

The day started like any other: coffee, breakfast, plans to put in some good miles.

And that’s exactly what I did.

I reached a point and considered what I had done a success. I only had three miles to the next shelter and had a perfect view of what was shaping up to be a great sunset… followed by just a bit of night walking. No problem.

It was at that point that I thought I should get out my headlamp.

Not in that pocket.

Maybe this one.

How about this bag?

Ah…that’s true. I know exactly where it is.

Sitting on that log…22 miles behind me.

That sunset had gone from beauty… to doom.

Let’s say I walked those three miles with a sense of urgency, I barely made it.

In the morning I made a plan. It sounds simple enough: go to town, buy a headlamp.

No such luck.

I had one last chance: a store that sold snowboards, skis, skateboards…unfortunately, there were no headlights.

It was at that moment that I met the owner of the store. I explained my situation to him and he was understanding of my situation. That’s when he looked at me and said:

«I have one at home. I’ll close the store in 30 minutes; ride with me and I’ll let you have it. Then I’ll take you back to the trail.»

Holy cow…the trail provides.

—Wait, this isn’t over.

He closes the store and we head towards his house. On the way, look and ask:

«Would you like to stop and have a couple of cold drinks?»

«Absolutely,» I said.

Holy cow…the trail provides.

—Wait, this isn’t over.

After we had our fill, we headed to his house. He introduced me to his family: his wife, his daughter and his little boy.

He offered me another cold drink and I accepted. Then he got me the headlight. Of course, I thanked him; I was very grateful for everything.

We went out to the back porch to relax.

(Let me go back for a second—

to the first steps of my walk.

You see, I had picked up a small rock hoping to carry it all the way. Lihat cwhd untuk info lebih lanjut. Like the lighthouse, I lost it a few days ago. But this was not something he could replace; any old rock would not have the same meaning).

There I am, sitting in this gentleman’s backyard, talking about life and the path… when his little guy comes up to me and says, «Hey.»

I lean toward him, face to face, as I do with children.

And if I’m lying, I’m dying…

That boy gave me a small stone.

Let’s go ahead and say it together.

the trail provides.

And just like that, I was back to normal…

with a lighthouse… and a stone… a gift that had a heart.