No news from Ward as he is walking the last 30 miles of the 100 Mile Wilderness today. We knew he would have no phone signal during this time. He will hike 30 today and then the FINAL 18 miles tomorrow (Wednesday) and that will include the summit of Mt. Katahdin - the experience he has been waiting for since Feb. 3!!!
It seems like so long ago, and yet yesterday, that we took Ward to Georgia, staying at the Amicolola State Lodge where we stayed overnight before he embarked on this wonderful journey of a lifetime. It was with great anxiety and anticipation that we drove to the parking lot below the start of the trail. As blog followers may recall, Dad (his, not mine) and I hiked the short .9 miles up to the trail head. We had heavy hearts and great worries, but we wanted to demonstrate our support for the venture. It was difficult seeing our 20 year old set off by himself on a 6 month journey...on a day that was well below 20 degrees at mid morning.
Again, you may recall that we encountered another hiker, Matt, as we were descending the mountain. Matt and Ward have been together perhaps 75 % of the time. What an incredible relief to us for Ward to have a companion. Although Ward and Matt could not have been more different, they forged a great and I hope lasting friendship. I suspect they will keep in touch. Perhaps Matt has even caught up with Ward at this point??? We hope so!
As mentioned earlier, Dad, George, and I had planned to fly to Maine and join Ward for the summit of Katahdin. However, Ward decided he preferred to do it with his current hiking partners and we certainly understand that summitting with others who have endured the journey has to be more emotionally powerful. [Dad interjects here: I think it had more to do with the fact that he plans to get the hell out of dodge when he finishes. In his words, "I don't plan to hang around Maine touring and eating lobster for the next five days. I'm heading straight home and I plan to visit friends. Please buy a plan ticket for the day after I finish, to depart after noon."] Of course, this allowed Dad to stay at work and saved much money in airfare and rooms/food! At the end of the day, it is with great anticipation that we meet up with Ward at RDU on Thurs afternoon and hug him and show him what pride we have in his vision, his organization, his physical ability, and his persistence and discipline that allowed him to accomplish this great feat! We can't wait!!!!
Oh, I nearly forgot to add that I had mailed Ward a box of civilian clothes for the Wed night celebration in Millinocket/return flight home. Won't he look odd with the long hair and beard but wearing J. Crew pants, a Brooks Brothers shirt, belt (necessary, Ward said, to hold up pants!) and sperrys? Also included travel-sized deodorant and shampoo, items he has not carried or used except for when he met us on some weekends!
Now, time to move George out of Ward's room and clean it, buy his favorite groceries, make sure George returns his croakies and all the things he's borrowed and make home a welcoming place! Then, what for the homecoming dinner? Crab cakes, trout, wild salmon, scallops, beef, mussels, Thai food?!!! Start with smoked salmon? Anything with sriracha sauce Ward will love! Perhaps a flourless chocolate cake (La Bete Noir- Epicurious-is a favorite of Ward's)....isn't it crazy how much a mother nurtures with food?!!! Because he's still a kid at heart, we'll have some cracker jacks! Ha...sorry to report that, Ward!
Now as one arrives home, we had one take off for Grand Western Tour last Saturday. Camille will tour the great out west with 45 other 15 yr. old kids-what fun! She has already been to Churchill Downs in Louisville and seen a race, been to St. Louis and on to Salina, Kansas, Colorado Springs,....Jackson Hole, Yellowstone, Seattle, San Francisco, Grand Canyon, etc. the list goes on! I want to be a kid again!
George graduated recently and is working this summer for a certain hosiery plant. He is going to Elon in 2012 after a gap year. This fall, he will head to East Africa through a NOLS program...an incredible learning and self discovery program. He will off trail hike through bamboo forests, make strong intercultural connections, attempt to learn some Kiswahili language, go on a safari, possibly summit Mt. Kilimanjaro (!!!!!!!!!!!), travel through dense forests with a 50-60 pound pack (we will get to recycle much of Ward's gear), study wildlife, have a home stay, perform some community service and hopefully learn what it's like to live without cell phones, pizza, Starbucks and the like!!! I think George is in for a very different but equally life changing adventure! His internship at the NC Zoo was a great experience this spring and just a precursor of what he will get to see this Sept! He has the opportunity to earn some college credits and so much more. His spring semester of NOLS has not been confirmed but possibly a sea kayaking/sailing course in Baja. He has already done a 3 week Outward Bound program in Maine that was focused on sailing and sea kayaking, which he enjoys. OB seems to be a little more about reaching one's physical and emotional boundaries while NOLS is a leadership school....Unfortunately, George will have no contact with us so no blog for this one. His course finishes just before Thanksgiving so we are toying with his touring a little after Africa. Unsure at this point but it's time to get visas and flight tickets and gear!
Today's young folks seem to have the world at their feet....life is changing fast and life is global, and it's important that people learn to confidently interact with folks from other countries and cultures (soap box moment). Let's hope the world can be a better place after the all these experiences! And, as Aunt Peggy so astutely noted, the conversations will certainly be interesting at this year's family Christmas Dinner!
We will post after Ward's arrival home and perhaps a few days after just to inform you of how he is acclimating to home life..can't imagine that will be hard to do but Carolina Kid, who hiked in 1999 (I think!), has told us that sleeping in a bed was uncomfortable at first! He also said that it takes a while for your metabolism to slow so the hiker continues to eat copious amounts of food (recall the 6000-8000 calories a day?)....Wow...we will be drooling over Ward's food consumption!
Many thanks to all of you who have followed the blog and given Ward your support. It has been fun for us to share with you his adventure. Happy Trails to all!
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