It just dawned on me that I had one of the best Memorial Day weekends in my life. Jack (Gator) and I did a brief section hike from Deep Gap to Wallace Gap. Hiking highlights included great weather, a wonderful reunion with Jack and Cindy, taking on Mt Albert after 14 miles of hiking (wasn’t as bad as I imagined but still kicked my butt), fantastic views from under the smoke tower and a peaceful night at Big Spring Shelter. What made my weekend was meeting two inspiring veterans.
We VERY briefly hiked on and off with a former Naval intell vet named Jim. He was smoking as he passed us on the trail and was quite gracious to us two AT novices. Jim had thruhiked in 2002 and at 66 years old is in fantastic shape. He was always upbeat and obviously kept a positive outlook on life.
The second vet I me is a former marine. Kevin is celebrating his 20th year anniversary since his initial thru-hike by giving the AT another go. Kevin is a military history buff. We enjoyed a lengthy discussion (including sketching diagrams in the sand) about the Civil and Peninsular Wars at Rock Gap. We also rememnisced and swapped stories about those who we knew and respected when we served in the military. I wished Kevin a safe hike as I jumped in Cindy’s car on our way home. He saddled upped, saluted to thank me for the quick lesson and then turned northbound toward Silar Bald Shelter.
Well it’s the Friday after my return and I’m sitting in my office wishing I was trudging (and burning calories) along side Gator, Jim and Kevin and any other hero who had served our country. So if you didn’t get a chance last weekend give a thanks to a vet and buy him/her a beer in town (or the beverage of choice). If you run into jim or Kevin the Marine tell them they made Tony and Jack’s Memorial Day on the AT truly memorable.
Best of luck to all still hiking!!
Tony