Sailing towards home – The Trek

Hello dear reader,

I am your humble blogger here to inform you about my travels. I am writing to you from the historic town of Harpers Ferry. I can’t believe I’ve come this far on the Journey. What a wild ride! The last time I wrote to you was when I was in Damascus all those miles ago and when Harpers Ferry was just a distant memory. Yet here we are together on a field of victory. Let’s breathe and take advantage of the moment.

What did I learn?

Virginia was easier in some parts but difficult in others. I’m going to draw your attention to the Triple Crown area. Where we (my comrades and I) expected clear skies and birds singing, but instead it rained. The entire state of Virginia has been raining and going up and down the triple crown makes for a difficult trip. I’d say it’s harder than Georgia. Along with the physical challenge, the emotional one took its toll. The Virginia Blues hit me like a cannonball coming out of a cannon. Phew!

Aside from that, what have I really learned so far on the trip? You can’t go to 1026.5 and learn nothing. Saying no is a lie to your true self. This is what I learned:

1. don’t rush
2. Don’t plan too far in advance. Sometimes the best plans happen at the last minute.
3. Be kind to yourself
4. You can do phenomenal things as a human being.
5. Enjoy the sun when it shines
6. Be relaxed and listen
7. People who should be with you will appear.
8. Give yourself grace
9. Look enthusiastically to the future
10. Each chapter has a beginning and an end.
11. Just ask, silent mouths don’t feed

I really want to highlight the last one. The Universe, God, will reward those who ask for it. Say what you really want, write it down and let it go. If it’s as simple as needing a ride from point A to point B, you’ll be surprised how helpful people want to be. Maybe their trail culture or maybe the trails opened my eyes a little, but by nature humans want to help. Ask and you will receive. But ask with humility, not with demand.

Life is an adventure and having shared this one with you has been an honor. Unfortunately, I must say that we have reached the end of this journey. I have walked many miles and halfway I realized that what I had achieved is more than enough. So, I’m going to come home and take the last two months with me. I am ready to get back to the normality of life and the demands it makes. To those of you who are reading this now and are thinking about doing the trail, do it. Cry when you have to cry. Dance when you have to dance, sing when you have to sing because the journey is yours, we are just watching and cheering you on. To current and future hikers, I am proud of you. To my friends that I have met along the way, may our paths cross.

Yours on the journey,

Homebound

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