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Deere Asylum, VA / USA - November 2020: An empty clinic room in the medical building on the campus of an abandoned mental hospital.
I completed most of my miles last winter, January through April, and dedicated my efforts to my best friend, Alison, who was going through a year of interferon treatment for cancer. When I reached 98 miles, I stopped, and waited for Alison. She is an avid walker and runner, and during her treatment, she was unable to even walk 1/2 mile. In September, upon completion of her treatment, we walked my last two miles together on the trail north of Marquette. The Hike 100 will forever be a milestone in both our lives. She plans to do it herself in 2017!
Hiking the North Country Trail on Oct. 16 north of Lake Owen in Bayfield Co, WI my wife and I hiked through a 1.5 mile section of sugar maples trees in full golden color. The canopy was like golden stars and the maple shrubs carpeted the forest floor with thousands of gold sparks. A magical moment on the North Country Trail.
I started this journey with my son, to get into shape for Scout camp. Shortly after we started hiking, it was clear to me that my body just couldn't handle it. My doctor was getting angry with me because I kept pushing myself, so after only 20 miles, I decided maybe the doctor was correct. I stopped hiking. Then after a while of feeling depressed because I love being outside and loved the hiking, I decided to go against my doctors orders, I was going to finish this thing. I started hiking again after the kids went to school, so there was no one to stop me. I then injured my foot at home, and was laid up for 6 weeks, thinking I would never finish, but I was determined to prove to myself, my kids, and the world, I am not a quitter. I don't give up. Last week, I started out on Monday needing 46 miles to finish the challenge. So I pushed myself to finish before snow comes and covers Michigan and locks me indoors. I finished yesterday. A beautiful Day! Thank you for the Challenge. I did it!
We had a lot of laughter swatting bugs, sinking in mud, climbing over downed trees and celebrating every completed hike and additional mile.
What a wonderful experience this was. I finished up my 100 miles on the Lowell portion of the NCT. Just before I hit the mile marker, I crossed paths with a coyote somewhere between the Boy Scout Cabin and Fallasburg Park. Man, that was such an honor to witness! When I finished my hike that afternoon I asked myself, "What's next for me now that I have completed my 100 mile goal?" Then it hit me: I still have over 4000 miles of the NCT that I need to explore! I cannot wait to hike the next 100 miles and beyond. It's been a great hike so far, but I know I have a lot more to accomplish on the NCT in the future.