Faithful... Faithful Pilgrim... David Barnes in the real world, but on the trail he will always be Faithful. He was setting out on a young man's dream, a dream I had often shared at his age. A dream that had almost been lost to me. Faithful had a few reasons for not being out on that trail... and every reason to try it anyway. I don't believe he would mind my sharing that he has epilepsy, and has had surgeries to attempt to prevent seizures. Faithful, on the recommendation of his Doctor, was looking to hike with somebody, to make his trip safer. We connected, and decided that we would hit the trail together. It was to my delight to be hiking with another Christian! It was also nice to have a hiking partner, as I was terribly out of shape, and had a knee injury that had still not healed completely...
We had a great time, not without it's tough moments, but all in all, a GREAT time! We hiked together North, from Andover, starting out with tough hiking, and staying tough, up and down some rugged mountains, across the Bigelow Range, through the "100 mile wilderness" and up Katahdin! Then, back to Andover, and heading South, through the Mahoosics and the Whites, up and over beautiful Mt. Washington. On we went to Vermont, a terrific State to hike! I began to have a problem with swelling in my lower right leg, and could see my hike coming to a possible end. By the time we got into Bennington, I figured I may have a fracture, and it would be best for us to head home...
That was a turning point in our plans. I needed medical attention, and may have been finished... Faithful wanted so badly to go on... we both came home. I was thoroughly checked out, determined to have an infection in my leg, and needed to heal and rest. It was uncertain if I would return to the trail. Faithful, his family, and his Doctor made a decision... he would go back on trail, alone. After a week off trail, he headed back, bravely hiking solo.
Three weeks after coming home, my leg mostly healed, my body weight back up a bit, and my muscles definitely not as strong, I also returned to Bennington, Vermont. I had missed out on three weeks of hiking, but more importantly, I was well behind all of the SOBO's, and the NOBO's were very few. Most of them had gotten North of Bennington while I was off trail. I still got opportunities to witness to a few, and some dayhikers. There were a lot of Freshman orientation groups from various Colleges that were out for section hikes, and I got to speak with many of them. I tried as best as I could to catch up with some SOBO's, but even pacing off 22 miles or so a day, it was to no avail. The hiking was still very enjoyable, but witness opportunities were few. It was also becoming dangerous, as I may not see anybody for a couple of days, and if I got injured on a high ridge on a Monday, it was likely that I wouldn't be found until the next weekend... So... I hiked on, until I reached the Greymoor Friary, in Peekskill, New York, where I spent a night in prayer, seeking to find the right decision regarding continuing the hike. The next morning, I packed my gear, and headed out... seeking an easy path that would lead me home to Maine. In a brief 24 Hours, I was safe at home, resting. Hard to believe... I was again filled with many emotions, sadness of leaving the trail, joy in being home with my wife, Cari. Happiness that the Lord allowed me this wonderful time out on the trail, meeting so many wonderful, and sometimes lost, people. Dissapointment in not finishing the trail, missing out on being with other hikers. Wonderment that I was able to hike 800 miles! ...and, yeah, I know that I could have continued... but I knew that it wasn't my time to hike. God will have me do that at a later date.
So, here I was at home, making the most of it. I ventured up to Stratton/Eustis a couple of times, and was blessed with the opportunity to help out fellow (and lady) hikers. One lady, "Bunker", was a hiker I had met in Vermont! So, yes, the Lord continued to Bless! I continued to follow Faithful's progress, keeping him held up in prayer, as he meandered South. I began working on a few more ScriptureSticks, and tried to accustom myself to the "real world". Faithful continued on, making good progress, hiking all the way down South, into Virginia!
Springtime came to Maine, slowly, and as it did, Faithful returned to the trail, down South. I had the pleasure of following his progress once again, and I with others, shared his joy and victory, as he completed his thru-hike in May, finishing at Springer Mtn., Georgia!
As for myself, I have revisited, in my mind, bits and pieces of the trail, reminiscing about the time spent with Faithful, and so, so many people that I have met along my journey.
Last night, May 31st, was a culmination of our hikes, for both Faithful and I. His family and friends all got together at their little Church in Canaan, Maine. They had a celebration for him, and for the completion of his hike. It was a wonderful time, lot's of well-wishers, food, slide show, and great conversation. I got to talk a bit with Faithful, congratulating him on a hike well done... Somehow, a congratulation does not seem adequate, for I really do know what it takes to walk that path... or at least part of it. With a nice smile, Faithful seemed to understand. He also said something that meant an awful lot to me. "You walked the hardest part of the trail...". That, to me, was not meant as just an acknowledgement that I had done something hard... it was taken in the spirit of encouragement, that next time... next time. For sure, I will attempt it again.
Last year, and yesterday, are now sweet memories, for both Faithful and I. Today, and tonight, I continue to reminisce, and ponder the paths that we wandered down. Today, June 1st, one year ago... we had embarked on an incredible journey. One was completed, and the other complete, but not finished... Today, June 1st, one year ago, we were sleeping in the wilds, our first night of many.
Today, June 1st... Faithful, I suspect, is sleeping soundly, at home. I have opted to stay up late, savor the memories until the clock ticks off a new day, and everything that it holds for me. I will spend these last few minutes of June 1st wondering who has started SOBO, from Katahdin today... and lift them in prayer, for a safe and wonder-filled journey.
Looking forward... I am not a young man... but I still have a young man's dream in this old man's body. I hope and pray that I will be able to return to the trail someday, maybe in a year or two. I will work on the ScriptureStick Ministry in anticipation! So... as I pray for this new batch of hikers this evening, I hope you will join me... and include me in your prayers, too!
Tick, tick, tick... almost a new day! God Bless you all, and again, thank you for all of your love and support!
Stickman
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