Let It Begin

I've been up since 3:15,
showered for the last time in 5 days, walked out the door to SNOW! and am now in a van with 14 other people heading down to NY to begin the AT hike.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

iBlogger

I'm blogging from the comfort of my bed using my iPhone tonight. This means that technically, I was in bed by 10 this evening, for those of you keeping track of my New Year's resolution. ( and I know you're out there.....Nicole Viele)
I'm testing it's use for the AT hike. I'd like to post at least a small blurb each night if possible and this seems an efficient way to accomplish that. We'll see....

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Endurance

With the AT hike in four days, the idea of endurance has been on my mind. To complete this 5 day journey, I will need to set my will to the task before me and take one step at a time. The terrain will vary. At times it will be a simple walk, on even ground, and the pace will be easy. Inevitably, however, the rugged terrain will come and weariness will pervade every muscle . There will be only the determination to do what is needed that keeps us putting one boot after the other. Not every moment will be filled with friends and the laughter that comes with wonderful companionship. Some moments will find you squatting in the woods, wishing for even the comfort of an outhouse. Simply put, to complete this hike will take perseverance and a commitment to endure to the end.

It may be an odd parallel to the journey of marriage but I think it fits quite nicely. We celebrated my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary this past Saturday. The cloth of their marriage has been woven with great love, heart-wrenching sorrow, times of severe trial and moments of perfect peace. A commitment was made by John Romano and Beverly Fountain on Easter Sunday, six decades ago, to travel life's journey side by side and they have followed through. The long road has taken them through both green pastures and parched landscape and they have not wavered. They set their feet to the task and have provided an example of self-sacrificing love and an enduring marriage for their posterity to follow.

Endure!

Perfect Timing

After leaving Hillhouse this afternoon I headed to Walmart to pick up the ingredients to make Chex Mix with my Pioneer Club kids. Almost immediately after turning onto Old Brunswick Road, I passed a home on the right where a young toddler, clad in a pink sleeper, was slowly walking down the ramp of a side door. It took a moment to register in my mind that I had not seen any adult outside. I felt a prompting to turn around quickly to check on the little girl. Only a few seconds had passed but reaching the house again, I saw that she had made her way to the edge of the road, oblivious to any danger. I could see a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction, so quickly stopping in the middle of the road, (thankful that no one was behind me), I put the hazards on, threw it into Park and ran across the street, scooping up the toddler. The door at the top of the ramp was slightly open and a medium-size, black, shaggy dog greeted me. Having a fear of canines, I was grateful that it only gave a few half-hearted barks at my intrusion into the sunroom. I knocked on the open door, expecting an immediate response from someone in the house but heard nothing. After a few minutes of loud knocking and hollering "Hello!" I ventured into the sunroom to the doorway of the main living area. The little girl, no more than 18 mos., was in my arms, looking calmly into my eyes. From this doorway I was able to hear the sound of a loud television and thought for sure that I would soon see someone emerge from one of the doorways to see who was yelling into their home, but even after a few minutes there was nothing. At this point, I thought I should probably call the police. However, in my haste, I had left my phone in the van. I didn't like the idea of anyone seeing me carrying someone else's child toward my vehicle but decided to head for my phone anyway. Thankfully, stepping off the ramp, I realized that a vehicle had entered the driveway and as a woman exited her car, I explained the situation. As it turns out, she was the child's grandmother. She pointed out that her daughter's car was in the front of the yard, indicating that she was home. I was able to hand the pig-tailed toddler over to her grandma and be on my way. I don't know what situation led to this little girl nearly being run over but I'm thankful God allowed me to be in the right place at the right time.

When You've Got An Itch

Yesterday I noticed that Tell had a blue Peep from his Easter basket in his hand. Knowing that he had already consumed two I directed him to put it on the island, telling him that he had already had plenty. Having been distracted by something else for a minute, I looked back to see my little imp slowly scraping the inside of his mouth with the marshmallow. "Tell! I said no more candy. Put it on the island now." As usual, he was ready with his justification. "But Mama, I not eathin it, I jeth scratchin the inthide of my mouth."

Countdown......16 Days

My sleeping bag for the AT hike arrived yesterday so I had to snuggle in and test it out. It is a woman's mummy bag, rated for 20 degrees, the perfect length, and has the zippered foot vent so my feet can breathe.........very toasty warm.

The Gift of Friends

This weekend marked 3 weeks until the AT Hike. My friend and co-hiker, Liz Brown gave me a homemade insulator for my food packets. This will help my dehydrated foods to "cook up" faster during supper on the trail. Thank you, Liz!....... I love the thoughtfulness of friends.
Saturday evening Jim and I spent a childless evening in Buxton at the Pendleton's with the Raymonds, Brunks and Redlons. Thank you, Buxton Crowd!........ I love laughing so much it gives me a headache.