In 1980 I was almost finished crossing the Cumberland Valley in PA. It was starting to get hot and it was time for lunch. The trail was following another paved road. I looked around for a shady spot and saw a huge tree in a field. I had to jump over a fence in order to get to the tree. I pulled out my canteen and food bag and began to enjoy a small feast. After a while I heard a very familiar sound. It was the sound of hiking boots on the road. Since I was a bit out of view, I called out "hello hiker!" I walked over to the fence to see who was coming down the trail. Quite honestly, I didn't recognize him at first. And when I realized who he was, I couldn't believe it!
If you have been reading this blog from the beginning you may have noticed something a long time ago. Back on April 29th I wrote a post called "Judging Pete". It was about a young guy (about my age) who was struggling to make it through the Smoky Mountains. At the time I thought that Pete would never make it to Maine. I had doubts that he would make it through the Smokies. That day in PA proved how wrong I was. After over two months of hiking past the Smokies (about 1,000 miles) I was suddenly face to face with Pete Montgomery!
Pete had a grin on his face a mile wide! Since I had always written in the trail registers, Pete had been able to keep up with me. Since I was ahead of him, I couldn't read about Pete, but I did read about other hikers who were ahead of me. Pete knew that he was starting to catch up with me. After I took off a few days in Carlisle, it gave him just enough time to finally catch up.
We talked about the Smokies and how hard they had been (and had a good laugh about him going the wrong way down a side trail). We talked about all of the things we had seen along the way. Pete had ditched some of his heavy camera equipment. He had also put on some muscle (but he was still skinny like me). He was in his home State of PA where he was a member of the "Blue Eagle Mountain Climbing Club" (something like that). I gathered my gear together and we walked together down the trail. It was a surprise reunion!
Because of my foot I was going slower than Pete. I think we spent the night together in a shelter that night, but after that Pete was going faster than me. For a while I was able to keep track of him in the trail registers. Then he took off a week to go home and I got ahead of him. I heard from him much later and learned that he had made it all the way to Maine. I learned a lot from Pete. I learned how wrong it is to judge people. I learned that patience and perseverance can allow even the most unlikely of persons to accomplish great things. And I learned something about friendship. Pete was a great guy when I first met him in the Smokies. We only saw each other one night in a shelter (when it was freezing cold & there was snow on the ground). But Pete still considered me a friend, even from that brief encounter. Pete would have done anything to help me if I needed help, and I would have done the same for him. It's good to have friends when you are hiking the trail. Even if you are walking alone, there are others who will come beside you to help and encourage you. That's true on the Appalachian Trail, and it is also true in life. My hat is off to my friend, Pete Montgomery!
Here in 2011 I weighed in at 174.6 pounds this morning. I'm trying to understand that after I had (homemade) pizza last night and also a piece of Josh's birthday cake (German chocolate, YUM)! My leg has finally quit hurting, but I am still resting it before I try to start jogging again. I think today will be another day to eat a salad!
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
Why I Like Truckers!
Back when I started this blog I wondered if I would have enough stories to write something every day. Although I have missed a day or two from time to time, I have written something most days. If you are just starting to read this blog, I encourage you to go back to the first posts and read them. You will see some amazing stories!
Toward the end of a long day hiking across the Cumberland Valley in Pennsylvania, I found myself with a small group of hikers at a road crossing. One of the hikers had heard that there was a diner just down the road. So we all decided to take a short side trip in order to get some hamburgers! Sure enough, there was a diner a short distance down the road. We left our backpacks on the front porch and sat around a table, drooling over the menu.
The diner had a lot of truck drivers in it. This area of PA is known for logistics and distribution. A loaded truck from this area can reach a large portion of the United States within one day. Everything that goes to New York and up into New England passes through this area (and vice versa). Interstates 81 and 83 pass through this area along with the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Warehouses were very common. Every other vehicle on the highway was usually a truck going somewhere. That explains why we saw so many truckers that night.
As we all ate our food, a couple of the truckers stopped by and asked who we were and where we were going. All of us that night had hiked from Georgia and were going to Maine. That impressed the drivers. They know about long distances! One of them pulled out his wallet and threw a $20 bill on the table saying, "your dinner is on me!" We were astonished and very thankful for his generosity. The $20 covered the cost of our meals and tip (Hey, it was 1980! Prices were a lot lower back then!).
As we left the diner, we were all thankful for the generosity of that trucker. They don't earn a lot of money to begin with, and $20 went a long way. We hiked a short distance down the trail and spent the night. It seems like every time I turned around, someone was helping me along the way. My foot was still sore, but I was being careful. The cushion in my boot helped a lot. I knew I was going to make it.
Here in 2011 I weighed in at 175.2 pounds this morning. I hoed in the garden so much yesterday that I got a blister on my hand. I'm trying to eat salads as much as I can too. We ate out yesterday for my son's birthday but I got the "veggie burger". It actually tasted good! Yes, I had a few french fries and a piece of cake (it was a birthday after all!) But, I continue to make progress a little at a time! I'm going to keep on trucking!
Toward the end of a long day hiking across the Cumberland Valley in Pennsylvania, I found myself with a small group of hikers at a road crossing. One of the hikers had heard that there was a diner just down the road. So we all decided to take a short side trip in order to get some hamburgers! Sure enough, there was a diner a short distance down the road. We left our backpacks on the front porch and sat around a table, drooling over the menu.
The diner had a lot of truck drivers in it. This area of PA is known for logistics and distribution. A loaded truck from this area can reach a large portion of the United States within one day. Everything that goes to New York and up into New England passes through this area (and vice versa). Interstates 81 and 83 pass through this area along with the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Warehouses were very common. Every other vehicle on the highway was usually a truck going somewhere. That explains why we saw so many truckers that night.
As we all ate our food, a couple of the truckers stopped by and asked who we were and where we were going. All of us that night had hiked from Georgia and were going to Maine. That impressed the drivers. They know about long distances! One of them pulled out his wallet and threw a $20 bill on the table saying, "your dinner is on me!" We were astonished and very thankful for his generosity. The $20 covered the cost of our meals and tip (Hey, it was 1980! Prices were a lot lower back then!).
As we left the diner, we were all thankful for the generosity of that trucker. They don't earn a lot of money to begin with, and $20 went a long way. We hiked a short distance down the trail and spent the night. It seems like every time I turned around, someone was helping me along the way. My foot was still sore, but I was being careful. The cushion in my boot helped a lot. I knew I was going to make it.
Here in 2011 I weighed in at 175.2 pounds this morning. I hoed in the garden so much yesterday that I got a blister on my hand. I'm trying to eat salads as much as I can too. We ate out yesterday for my son's birthday but I got the "veggie burger". It actually tasted good! Yes, I had a few french fries and a piece of cake (it was a birthday after all!) But, I continue to make progress a little at a time! I'm going to keep on trucking!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
The love and hospitality of strangers is something that I would never forget!
After resting my injured foot for a few days back in 1980, it was time to get back on the trail. Mrs. Farley was concerned about my safety, but I assured her that I would take care of myself. She drove me back to the place where I had left the trail and dropped me off. She had tears in her eyes as she waved goodbye. I had truly been blessed by her and her family while I recuperated.
I was now in the Cumberland Valley of Pennsylvania. Back in 1980 there was a long stretch of the trail that followed paved roads (I believe most of that is now in the woods). Hiking along a paved road in the summer wasn't too bad. The temperature was nothing like the heat I knew back in Georgia. I walked carefully and used my hiking staff to take some of the pressure off of my right foot. The thick pad that the doctors had given me was a good cushion. I stopped often to rest, determined not to over-do it.
As the day began to close, I was still on the road, not sure where I would spend the night. A car pulled up to me and a woman rolled down her window. She was the pastor of a nearby church (I'm not sure what denomination, perhaps Lutheran? She was wearing the "dog collar" shirt like a priest). She told me that I would never make it to the farm where the trail went back into the woods by nightfall. I explained that I was walking slow because of an injury. That's when she offered for me to camp inside their church building.
That night I spread my sleeping bag on the floor of a Sunday School room. The pastor let me borrow the phone in her office for a few minutes. I called Mrs. Farley to tell here that I was ok. At first she was frantic on the other end and just "knew" that she would have to come pick me up again. I assured her that I was ok and let her know where I was. I know that she appreciated my calling. I was glad that there were people in this world who genuinely care about others! God was continuing to look out for me and provide for me on my journey. The love and hospitality of strangers is something that I would never forget!
Here in 2011 I weighed in at 174.4 pounds. I finally finished fixing my old Mazda (it's back on the road again). I can stand on my leg just fine, but I can't walk long distances. I went to the grocery store with my wife and had to go to the car and rest after a trip all the way around the building. Rest for my leg is best. Diet will have to do for now until I can exercise again.
I was now in the Cumberland Valley of Pennsylvania. Back in 1980 there was a long stretch of the trail that followed paved roads (I believe most of that is now in the woods). Hiking along a paved road in the summer wasn't too bad. The temperature was nothing like the heat I knew back in Georgia. I walked carefully and used my hiking staff to take some of the pressure off of my right foot. The thick pad that the doctors had given me was a good cushion. I stopped often to rest, determined not to over-do it.
As the day began to close, I was still on the road, not sure where I would spend the night. A car pulled up to me and a woman rolled down her window. She was the pastor of a nearby church (I'm not sure what denomination, perhaps Lutheran? She was wearing the "dog collar" shirt like a priest). She told me that I would never make it to the farm where the trail went back into the woods by nightfall. I explained that I was walking slow because of an injury. That's when she offered for me to camp inside their church building.
That night I spread my sleeping bag on the floor of a Sunday School room. The pastor let me borrow the phone in her office for a few minutes. I called Mrs. Farley to tell here that I was ok. At first she was frantic on the other end and just "knew" that she would have to come pick me up again. I assured her that I was ok and let her know where I was. I know that she appreciated my calling. I was glad that there were people in this world who genuinely care about others! God was continuing to look out for me and provide for me on my journey. The love and hospitality of strangers is something that I would never forget!
Here in 2011 I weighed in at 174.4 pounds. I finally finished fixing my old Mazda (it's back on the road again). I can stand on my leg just fine, but I can't walk long distances. I went to the grocery store with my wife and had to go to the car and rest after a trip all the way around the building. Rest for my leg is best. Diet will have to do for now until I can exercise again.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
A Restful Time at "Rivendell"!
Back in 1980 after spending the night in the Salvation Army shelter I was just finished getting ready for the day when one of the staff came up to me and said I had a visitor. It was Mrs. Farley, come to collect me and take me to her home. The staffer told me that I was "very lucky" to have someone come pick me up! As we drove back to her house in Carlisle, I realized that I had a new "Mom" (at least for a short while)!
The first order of business when we arrived home was to feed me. Food was abundant and I was spoiled unmercilessly! One of my favorite books at the time was "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien. In that book, a group of travelers arrive at a place called "Rivendell". There they rest and are refreshed before returning to their journey. The few days I stayed at the Farley's house was a lot like being at Rivendell. I rested, I read, I ate, I slept. It was a time of physical and emotional healing.
One thing I remember clearly is sitting in the back yard, soaking my injured foot in a tub of water with Epsom Salts. While I sat, the Farley's young son ran around the backyard playing with delight. Giant shade trees made the backyard a cool and restful oasis. Day by day my foot got better and better. Being in the presence of people who showed unconditional love made a powerful impact on my life. It was one thing to TALK about being a follower of Jesus, it was quite another to see people put their genuine faith into ACTION.
Here in 2011 I weighed in at 174.6 pounds this morning. I checked it twice to be sure, but that was what it said. Wow, as of today I have lost over 12 pounds! I couldn't go jogging, but I did spend time working on the cars (changing oil & filters, and flushing the radiator on the Mazda). This afternoon I helped a friend paint the inside of his mother-in-law's new house (she is a widow). It may not have been jogging, but it was certainly a workout! I'm still watching what I am eating and hope to keep making progress!
The first order of business when we arrived home was to feed me. Food was abundant and I was spoiled unmercilessly! One of my favorite books at the time was "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien. In that book, a group of travelers arrive at a place called "Rivendell". There they rest and are refreshed before returning to their journey. The few days I stayed at the Farley's house was a lot like being at Rivendell. I rested, I read, I ate, I slept. It was a time of physical and emotional healing.
One thing I remember clearly is sitting in the back yard, soaking my injured foot in a tub of water with Epsom Salts. While I sat, the Farley's young son ran around the backyard playing with delight. Giant shade trees made the backyard a cool and restful oasis. Day by day my foot got better and better. Being in the presence of people who showed unconditional love made a powerful impact on my life. It was one thing to TALK about being a follower of Jesus, it was quite another to see people put their genuine faith into ACTION.
Here in 2011 I weighed in at 174.6 pounds this morning. I checked it twice to be sure, but that was what it said. Wow, as of today I have lost over 12 pounds! I couldn't go jogging, but I did spend time working on the cars (changing oil & filters, and flushing the radiator on the Mazda). This afternoon I helped a friend paint the inside of his mother-in-law's new house (she is a widow). It may not have been jogging, but it was certainly a workout! I'm still watching what I am eating and hope to keep making progress!
Monday, June 27, 2011
The Salvation Army
It's one thing to befriend a hiker and feed him a meal. It is something else to provide a place for him to recuperate from an injury. Back in 1980 I didn't expect the lady that helped me (I think her last name was Farley) to do anything special. All I really needed was a place to setup camp and rest for a few days, hoping to get back on the trail again. After feeding me, it now became a question of what to do with me. Mr. Farley was a high school chemistry teacher and had the summer off from teaching school. They had a precious little boy that was about four years old. It turned out that Mr. & Mrs. Farley had tickets to see a play and had already lined up a babysitter for their son. It was obvious that I would have to find someplace else to stay.
Mrs. Farley spoke with her husband and did some calling on the phone. Late that afternoon I found myself in her car, driving toward the Salvation Army. She dropped me off and promised to come pick me up again in the morning. I thanked her and assured her that she didn't have to do any more, but she insisted that she would be there to get me in the morning. I limped into the Salvation Army building, thankful for people who were willing to help me in my time of need. I reminded me of Matthew 25:35-36
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
I met the criteria of hungry, thirsty, stranger, and sick (injured)! A lot of people don't know that the Salvation Army is actually a church. They run thrift stores and collect money at Christmas time, but they also run shelters for people who are down on their luck. I was now in one of their shelters. It was a simple place. I had supper with all of the other men who were in the shelter. We slept in bunk beds. It was a different world to be in the midst of drunks and drifters and other people in need. The staff members were polite and caring people. As I drifted off to sleep I was thankful. Thankful that I was safe. Thankful that I had food to eat. Thankful for a bed to sleep in. Thankful for the Farleys and the Salvation Army. And thankful for God's provision for a weary, injured traveler.
Here in 2011 I weighed in at 176.2 pounds. After 11 weeks I have lost 10.6 pounds which is slightly below my goal of one pound per week. I'm still not jogging but my calf muscle is somewhat improved. I have been eating salads again. I'm not sure what to do for exercise. I may have to go out and weed the garden later (hoe, hoe hoe!)
Mrs. Farley spoke with her husband and did some calling on the phone. Late that afternoon I found myself in her car, driving toward the Salvation Army. She dropped me off and promised to come pick me up again in the morning. I thanked her and assured her that she didn't have to do any more, but she insisted that she would be there to get me in the morning. I limped into the Salvation Army building, thankful for people who were willing to help me in my time of need. I reminded me of Matthew 25:35-36
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
I met the criteria of hungry, thirsty, stranger, and sick (injured)! A lot of people don't know that the Salvation Army is actually a church. They run thrift stores and collect money at Christmas time, but they also run shelters for people who are down on their luck. I was now in one of their shelters. It was a simple place. I had supper with all of the other men who were in the shelter. We slept in bunk beds. It was a different world to be in the midst of drunks and drifters and other people in need. The staff members were polite and caring people. As I drifted off to sleep I was thankful. Thankful that I was safe. Thankful that I had food to eat. Thankful for a bed to sleep in. Thankful for the Farleys and the Salvation Army. And thankful for God's provision for a weary, injured traveler.
Here in 2011 I weighed in at 176.2 pounds. After 11 weeks I have lost 10.6 pounds which is slightly below my goal of one pound per week. I'm still not jogging but my calf muscle is somewhat improved. I have been eating salads again. I'm not sure what to do for exercise. I may have to go out and weed the garden later (hoe, hoe hoe!)
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Angels Cook Fried Bologna Sandwiches!
Back in 1980 I remember limping down the sidewalk after getting out of the Emergency Room. It was only a hairline crack in one of my foot bones, but it still hurt! Honestly, that this the only bone that I have ever broken in my whole life (and I'm almost 50). I saw a church steeple and began walking toward it, not really sure what would happen. I prayed that God would help me through this situation. As I limped down the sidewalk, passing well groomed lawns and beautiful houses, I noticed a woman walking toward me. When she got near, I smiled and simply said "hello". On the trail you speak to everyone (usually sharing information about distances to the next shelter, next water supply, trail conditions, etc.) I really didn't think about speaking to her, it seemed to be the polite thing to do.
The woman stopped and we engaged in friendly conversation. Who was I? What was I doing? Why was I on the sidewalk? Is that a limp I see? Where are you headed? Those were the questions of someone who had a genuine care and concern for others. I answered simply and honestly that I was Tommy Kennedy, had hiked the Appalachian Trail from Georgia (headed to Maine), I had just come from the ER because of my foot, and I was headed toward the church building to see if I could get some help.
The woman was astonished that I had WALKED over 1,000 miles in just over 10 weeks. She also said that she was returning from the church building and no one was there at this time. Then she insisted that I come to her house. I turned around and we walked the short distance to her house. That's how I found myself sitting at her kitchen table, engaged in wonderful conversation. She asked, "are you hungry?" By this time it was midafternoon and I had not eaten anything since breakfast. I wasn't just hungry, I was STARVING. Yes, I had food in my pack that I could cook, but I had not found a place to setup for that. I didn't tell the lady all of this, I meekly said, "well... yes."
The next thing I know she was making me a fried bologna sandwich. I remember that, because I had never had one before. I had always eaten bologna cold. The aroma of the meat heating up filled the kitchen. She placed the piping hot sandwich in front of me with a smile then turned to straighten up the kitchen. When she turned back to say something she noticed that only crumbs were left on my plate. "Oh my goodness!" she exclaimed (realizing now how much food it takes to feed a hungry thru-hiker). The first sandwich was followed by a second (and perhaps a third, I don't really remember). I was in heaven. That's when I realized that angels cook fried bologna sandwiches!
Here in 2011: After several days of being stable at 175.4, this morning I weighed in at 176.8. I hope that it is a temporary setback. I tried to run yesterday, but my right calf muscle was so tight that I had to walk/jog for a while. It hurt so bad that I finally had to give up. Last night I soaked it in Epsom salts. I will take a few days off from running and hope to heal up (again!). It reminds me of my time in Carlisle, PA -- having to rest up and recover. It's time for lunch.....do we have any bologna?!
The woman stopped and we engaged in friendly conversation. Who was I? What was I doing? Why was I on the sidewalk? Is that a limp I see? Where are you headed? Those were the questions of someone who had a genuine care and concern for others. I answered simply and honestly that I was Tommy Kennedy, had hiked the Appalachian Trail from Georgia (headed to Maine), I had just come from the ER because of my foot, and I was headed toward the church building to see if I could get some help.
The woman was astonished that I had WALKED over 1,000 miles in just over 10 weeks. She also said that she was returning from the church building and no one was there at this time. Then she insisted that I come to her house. I turned around and we walked the short distance to her house. That's how I found myself sitting at her kitchen table, engaged in wonderful conversation. She asked, "are you hungry?" By this time it was midafternoon and I had not eaten anything since breakfast. I wasn't just hungry, I was STARVING. Yes, I had food in my pack that I could cook, but I had not found a place to setup for that. I didn't tell the lady all of this, I meekly said, "well... yes."
The next thing I know she was making me a fried bologna sandwich. I remember that, because I had never had one before. I had always eaten bologna cold. The aroma of the meat heating up filled the kitchen. She placed the piping hot sandwich in front of me with a smile then turned to straighten up the kitchen. When she turned back to say something she noticed that only crumbs were left on my plate. "Oh my goodness!" she exclaimed (realizing now how much food it takes to feed a hungry thru-hiker). The first sandwich was followed by a second (and perhaps a third, I don't really remember). I was in heaven. That's when I realized that angels cook fried bologna sandwiches!
Here in 2011: After several days of being stable at 175.4, this morning I weighed in at 176.8. I hope that it is a temporary setback. I tried to run yesterday, but my right calf muscle was so tight that I had to walk/jog for a while. It hurt so bad that I finally had to give up. Last night I soaked it in Epsom salts. I will take a few days off from running and hope to heal up (again!). It reminds me of my time in Carlisle, PA -- having to rest up and recover. It's time for lunch.....do we have any bologna?!
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