(Blogger’s Note: Part 1 of a two-part series. What follows is a lightly embellished trail fable from my heart, not the day-to-day details we experience. The actual breakdown of 100 Mile Wilderness will immediately follow this.)
A tale of two paths
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, or for the more traditional, once upon a time…
There was a proud backcountry hiker and camper. He was good at his job. He looked for fun and exciting places to travel. He thoroughly examined every piece of equipment, loved his gadgets, and was eventually granted the name Inspector Gadget.
Gadget set his sights on the Appalachian Trail and knew this was the quest for champion hikers. He wanted to sit at the table of the few who had walked this path from beginning to end.
But lo and behold, Gadget didn’t know his fate was sealed before he set foot in the 100 Mile Wilderness (100MW). A trail so tough that hikers are warned before entering it.
Gadget knew the trail would test him, but he was prepared and prepared. His test hike would be 100 MW, and he unabashedly believed he could carry 60 pounds of ultralight magical gear through whatever the trail threw at him.
After all, his beautiful girlfriend had once affectionately referred to him as “mule.” Of course, Gadget had teased that he was actually a “pack mule,” but he took the title seriously and said he would do it.
So on day 1, Gadget and his girlfriend headed into the desert.
A couple of days later, the beast of burden he was carrying on his back began to weigh him down a lot, not only physically but also emotionally. Each step became a small torture glove. His knee felt the constant pressure. The seven-day plan became a nine-day plan, not for convenience, but for survival. Then his tried and true air mattress gave up the ghost, and its lifeless shell had to be taken out with everything else.
The desert was hot. The humidity was relentless. The rain fell for several days. Rest became harder to find. Aches, pains, tiredness and pride took turns on Gadget’s back.
Then one day, Gadget lay down to rest.
Little did he know that in that moment his walk changed forever.
The Wilderness laughed and mocked Inspector Gadget for thinking that preparation, planning, choosing equipment, and experience in the field would keep him intact. The Wilderness also wanted to strip it of its trail name. Gadget just laid there, wondering how this story would end, and slowly fell asleep.
When he woke up, a stranger stood in front of him.
The stranger seemed familiar, as if Gadget had met him in some forgotten place. He held out his hand and said that he too had been assaulted by many burdens, but that he had learned to listen, adapt, and walk differently.
The stranger told Gadget that he could help him carry the load. Not by making the path easier, but by helping him and his girlfriend get to the other side of the 100 MW with patience, humility, and a little less nonsense.
Gadget, with all his pride, planning and preparation, finally saw the truth.
He was not defeated.
I just needed help.
Gadget looked the stranger in the eyes and accepted the offer.
«What is your name?» -Gadget asked.
The stranger replied, «Humble Pie.»
Gadget blinked hard. At that moment, the stranger disappeared and Gadget realized that he was looking at his own reflection in the pond next to him.
Humble Pie stood up.
He carried 60 pounds of ultralight magical equipment, his bruised body, interrupted sleep, and wounded pride on his back. Then he walked, humbly, slowly and with a little more respect, for the rest of the 100MW.
The Wilderness was no longer mocking him. He watched a changed man continue moving, step by careful step.
Inspector Gadget didn’t disappear, he just vanished. He simply became a shadow backstage when Humble Pie emerged to the safety of Monson.
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