Charlie was an old Bluefield friend who over the years walked the Appalachian Trail from Maine to Georgia. One summer he invited me to go along on a "short" hike. I was, still am, a walker, so happily said yes. He said he'd meet me out near Winchester. Said we'd be on the trail one night, but don't bring a lot because you'll have to carry it. I already had some boots, so borrowed a backpack, packed a few essentials, including some trail mix I'd made, and headed out. Met up with him about noon, and we walked until it was just about dark. He fixed us dinner, mostly hot soup made from a powdered mix, and I was so hungry I thought it was delicious. We also had coffee and my trail mix. By the time we finished I was so sleepy I could hardly keep my eyes open. And tired. He set up a little tent, barely room for two, on a fairly level-looking area. I had brought a roll-up yoga-type pad about an inch thick and my sleeping bag, so crawled in and tried to get comfortable. :rolleyes:. Although I was exhausted, it didn't seem like I slept a lot. Didn't even think about stargazing. The ground was hard, and not as smooth as it had looked. I tossed and turned but there was not that "give" that you get on a mattress. I guess if we'd been married or lovers it would have been more ... uh ... comfortable.
Woke up about dawn, and it was a bit awkward. I had realized the night before that relieving oneself out on the trail is bad enough in the dark, but in the morning? With a male friend?
We walked most of the next day, and a lot of it was on a ridge with fairly level path, real high, so a pleasant not too tiring walk. But the descent was no fun at all The path led us down down down a rocky path so steep that my toes were jammed into the toes of my boots all the way. By the time we got to the motel where we would spend the second night, I was pretty much wiped out. Bad headache. We shared a room, but romance was the furthest thing from my mind. He finally asked me if I wanted him to go find me some aspirin, and I said yes. I couldn't seem to get enough to drink. Realized the next day that if I ever did that again, I had to remember to carry a water bottle or flask, and keep it filled.
Never did that again. We walked again for a while, every summer, but they were day trips. No more overnights for me.
Awesome Libby! :yes:
Quote from: Palehorse on March 03, 2013, 04:56:18 PM
Awesome Libby! :yes:
Thank you, PH. I miss him. He passed away several years ago (cancer) at a relatively young age.
Quote from: libby on March 03, 2013, 07:04:04 PM
Thank you, PH. I miss him. He passed away several years ago (cancer) at a relatively young age.
I'm sure he watches over you from time to time. Particularly when you miss him. :yes: :'(
You should get out and do an overnight trip sometime. His spirit will visit you then for sure.
Quote from: Locutus on March 03, 2013, 09:35:54 PM
:spooked:
The higher the physical location in this place, the easier it is for the spirit to cross over from the other side to pay us a visit. :yes:
Quote from: Palehorse on March 03, 2013, 09:50:12 PM
The higher the physical location in this place, the easier it is for the spirit to cross over from the other side to pay us a visit. :yes:
Well there are certainly plenty of spots on the Appalachian Trail that fit that bill, however if I'm alone at night somewhere on the trail, the last thing I want to see is a spirit. :biggrin:
There have been a few murders along the Appalachian Trail as well so I'm sure the spirits abound there.
Quote from: Locutus on March 03, 2013, 10:01:23 PM
Well there are certainly plenty of spots on the Appalachian Trail that fit that bill, however if I'm alone at night somewhere on the trail, the last thing I want to see is a spirit. :biggrin:
There have been a few murders along the Appalachian Trail as well so I'm sure the spirits abound there.
This is not the place for it but I have a story about spirits and the Smokies. I'll try to relate that in my area sometime this week if I remember to do it. . .
And a new spirit was added already this year.
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/jan/16/overdue-hiker-found-dead-in-smokies/
Don't want you to think I'm nutty, Locutus, and I agree that I would not go off hiking on that trail alone. But, I did experience something about a month after he died, when I drove to Beckley to visit his grave (I didn't go to his funeral). I don't know what I expected, but as I stood there looking down at his grave, I felt absolutely nothing. Then, for some reason, as I was getting ready to leave, I looked up and closed my eyes, and he was there. I sensed his presence. I heard his little chuckle. I don't know how long I stood there like that, with no awareness of anything but the moment, but finally I realized I was crying. And I opened my eyes and remembered where I was -- in the graveyard where he was buried. And then, I got into my car and drove back to Northern Virginia.
Quote from: Locutus on March 03, 2013, 10:10:10 PM
And a new spirit was added already this year.
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/jan/16/overdue-hiker-found-dead-in-smokies/
One of my great-grandfathers is buried near the Appalachian Trail near Roan Mountain.
Quote from: Palehorse on March 03, 2013, 10:04:40 PM
This is not the place for it but I have a story about spirits and the Smokies. I'll try to relate that in my area sometime this week if I remember to do it. . .
Lookin' forward to hearin' it.
Quote from: libby on March 03, 2013, 10:27:16 PM
Don't want you to think I'm nutty, Locutus, and I agree that I would not go off hiking on that trail alone. But, I did experience something about a month after he died, when I drove to Beckley to visit his grave (I didn't go to his funeral). I don't know what I expected, but as I stood there looking down at his grave, I felt absolutely nothing. Then, for some reason, as I was getting ready to leave, I looked up and closed my eyes, and he was there. I sensed his presence. I heard his little chuckle. I don't know how long I stood there like that, with no awareness of anything but the moment, but finally I realized I was crying. And I opened my eyes and remembered where I was -- in the graveyard where he was buried. And then, I got into my car and drove back to Northern Virginia.
:yes: :smitten: :yes: Now THAT's what I'm talking about. 8)