And Then There Were None (left on the trail)

The doorbell rang a little after 5:00 this afternoon and I was greeted with a big grin worn by someone very familiar, though altered - a grizzled mountain man look, (but he wears it well). Like Madeline, he too gained 20 pounds on the trail. I dare say some is muscle mass; he definitely has a sturdier look about him. The experience of being home felt somewhat surreal, in part due to the length of time he's been gone, and in part due to having missed out on the opportunity for sleep last night. He has toured the house and commented on how different everything is, (it's not), communed with the animals, all of whom were welcoming, got a shower and a fresh set of clothes, had dinner, which Madeline had kindly prepared before going to work this afternoon, shared company and chatter, and retired for the night.

Shortly after we talked this morning, the manager of the truck stop restaurant asked him if he could use a hot meal. He accepted and was treated to the breakfast buffet on the house. He didn't get his first ride of the day until about 1:00 this afternoon, having waited a full 12 hours in the same location. That first ride, by a man on his way to work at the Honda factory, took him some 4o miles in the right direction. He went the distance with the ride that followed shortly there after. He was picked up by a woman, her daughter and grandson on their way to Louisville for Thanksgiving. As they were passing through Cincinnati, they dropped him at the Mitchell Avenue exit and he hoofed it on home from there. This woman recognized the hiker spirit in him as she had just completed her own journey on the Pilgrimage Trail which stretches across Spain. He enjoyed the hours spent with them.

So the trail is a little lighter today. He said he felt a sadness in that last day of hiking. He took it slowly and soaked it all in. He contemplated just sitting outside after having been home but a few hours, and even toyed with sleeping outside. I think he might be a little slower to acclimate to this altered life than Madeline was. It's hard to figure out what the next chapter in life will look like. The hitch home took three days but the kindness of strangers and the kind drivers that helped him made it a good final chapter. He was given two free meals, housed for a night and made $32 in donations that he never solicited. One can not hear these tales without feeling a renewed faith in the essence of good in people.

Alot of miles have passed under the feet of my two youngest children since this journey began on the fifth of July. It was definitely a journey worth taking. There are now adjustments to be made and memories to reflect upon. Stay tuned for a posting of pictures from New Hampshire to Maine and then south from Pennsylvania to Virginia. Given some time, Jonathan will have some reflections to share as well so we're not done just yet. I'm glad to have this boy back safe and sound. ~ Amy

I now have new respect for the term 'within walking distance'
~ Welches (AT hiker, 2000)