Along the trail there are many people who go out of their way to do something special for hikers. Ward relayed a story about a local hiking club that sets up a military-style tent along the trail beginning January 1 each year, offering food and a rest stop for passing thru-hikers through peak season. Matt talked about a local restaurant that gave him complimentary food and drinks when they found out he was a thru-hiker. Last week, a hotel in Johnson City, TN offered to discount my room rate when they found out Ward was hiking the AT.
Even before his trek began, Ward was the beneficiary of another person's kindness. Brad Ivey, who hiked the trail in 1999, spent many hours with Ward, providing valuable guidance about the trail, equipment, maps, and most important, safety. Brad continues to send notes of support and encouragement, which are appreciated by Beth and me as much as they are by Ward. Brad is also a "trail angel" - a person who takes time to do something special for AT hikers he does not know, like leave a cooler full of drinks along the trail on a hot weekend.
What is interesting to me is that Brad's impact on Ward did not begin this year. It started 10 or 11 years ago when Brad shared his AT experience with Ward's Boy Scout Troop. The image of a room full of young scouts on the edges of their seats and watching and listening as Brad projected slide-show images, is etched in my mind. Brad used a carousel setup - the ones that require actual slides made from film-generated photos, and which make a loud "click-clank" sound as the pictures change. I was on the edge of my seat as well that night, for I had no idea what a trek of the entire AT entailed before then. I was immediately impressed with Brad, and my admiration has only grown since then.
There is no way to know that any single event caused Ward to take on such a challenge, but I do believe that night had a significant, positive impact. In my mind, it planted a seed that helped Ward to begin thinking in terms of dreams, possibilities, and big challenges. I hope the kindness of Brad and people like him is contagious, as we need more people like him in this world.
Thank you, Brad.
Thank you big Ward for those kind words.
ReplyDeleteIts funny how inspiration works! Inspiration for most of us is easy...excitement. To put one foot in front of the other, and nose down in the wind thru the daily grind of the trail is different...reality, persistence, determination. Ward is showing us all how determined he really is. I'm just glad I can share this with Ward, and I love following him on the map.
Quick story
Carrie and I were in Wisconsin over the weekend for a funeral. The connecting flight on the way back left from Detroit to Charlotte. The weather was crystal clear. Carrie knows I love the window seat, especially when we cross the mountains. (I don't know much in this world, but I do have a keen sense of pointing out things). During the flight I saw Bristol Motor Speedway below, just as the Captain said, "folks were about to cross into NC" All of a sudden I saw Watagua Lake, Roan Mountain, Grayson Highlands etc. These high areas were unmistakable because they were snow cappped. My eyes quickly ran the ridgeline of the AT thru this area. It was really cool! I few minutes later I saw Grandfather Mtn, Linville Gorge and some other areas not on the AT. The best part of this story was when I got home and checked on Ward's progress thru the "spot". Monday it looks as if he was somewhere in the Watagua Lake area! So let him know on that day he had more than one set of eyes looking down on him.
We never know who's watching. So glad to see Ward looking so strong. Great pictures! It gives us all solace to know that people like Brad, of such, as you say "abundant spirit" are all around us. Great for Brad that, to whatever degree, young Ward is perpetuating his legacy.
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