Driving through Springfield today,
I did a double-take when I saw this guy, deep in the bowels of the big city. He had his eyes intently fixed down the road, waiting for a bus. He might as well have been a deer, he looked so out of place on Main St. downtown.
He might have been on a REALLY long hike, like the Appalachian or M&M. I was surprised to learn how often one takes advantage of, or is forced to, use modern transportation and amenities during those long wilderness jaunts. This book set me straight:
A Walk in the Woods, by Bill Bryson.
A real good book, about a recreational hiker and his unlikely partner, taking on the immense distances of Appalachian Trail. Hilarious, and informative.
I dream of someday doing a REALLY long hike. I can't see myself ever having the time to do, say, the whole Appalachian Trail. It takes several months to cover that 2100 mile Maine to Georgia trek. My buddy Mike actually tried to do a Connecticut border-north section of it, and he fully committed himself, in gear and mentality. He did a commendable hike, covering I think about 60+ miles, before his ankles and baser temptations did him in. Still, it was an amazing haul for anyone in my circle of losers to pull off. I hope at best to do the M&M (100+ miles I think), and even that probably in sections. I'd be happy with that. I've done several sections of it already.
There's still plenty of rope left...I hope.
I get knocked down, but I get up again...
In case you've just gotten your computer back from the repair shop, the local Sultan of Cyberspace, Tommy Devine, has resurfaced, and in fighting trim. Check out his continuing journeys of the mind and soul, here: http://www.tommydevine.blogspot.com/
3 comments:
Love the photo of the skyscape driving into Springfield. I also started casting a cold eye on winter about 10 years ago, but I still think it's about as beautiful as it gets around here sometimes after it snows and I LOVE having a wood stove now, whereas I don't think I would have fully appreciated it when I was younger and hardier.
Thanks for the plug, and Dude, I just wanted to say that after perusuing all your posts that I missed while in rehab that you are evolving into a professional level photographer. You have a natural eye for it, and that's something that can't be taught.
Your next career?
Wood stoves are great. We had fireplaces in two of the houses I grew up in, we always used them throughout the winters. It was very nice, some of the better winter moments for sure...I think shoveling/plowing has dampened the glory of snow a little bit for me though, it's just more work falling from the sky!
Hi Tom, glad your liking the photos...I'm sure if I got too serious about photography, you'd see the pics getting worse not better!
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