“I have no need for friendship, For friendship causes pain. I am a rock. I am an island.” Finley was singing from his spot on top of the pack. “Only two more miles, Finley. We’re almost to the next shelter.” They passed two more northbounders on the trail. Fleetfeet and Bocce Ball stopped for a short chat. Then they headed on. They had another twelve miles to cover. “Uncle Harry”, asked Finley. “Why do we southbound, while everyone else is hiking north? Are we anti-social? The NOBOs hike with the same groups for weeks on end. They seem to have a lot of friends among the other NOBOs.” Bocce Ball had asked about her friend, Squeegee. They’d lost track of her when they’d taken a zero day in town. “Finley,” said Harry. “Everyone hike’s his or her own hike. Most thruhikers northbound because they will be hiking for three to six months. If they leave from the south in spring, they should get to Maine before winter. Generally, the weather is best that way. If they southbound from Maine, they cannot start until the snow melts from Katahdin in June. Then they’re headed into the south during the summer. Section hikers have more options. They don’t have the weather constraints of the other hikers. We can hike whichever way we want.” Finley and Harry stopped on the mountaintop to admire the view, and to rest for a bit. “This isn’t a four thousand footer, Harry.” “You can’t have everything your own way, Finley. Many people start hiking together. But, everyone has his or her own pace. People hike together for a while, then may not see each other again for weeks, or even months. Many friendships are formed on the trail. Look at it this way: Southbounding, we get to meet more people. Remember when we were day hiking in the Gap?” “That wasn’t a four thousand footer, either,” interrupted Finley. Harry sighed. “But we met Pea Soup and Unbridled. We had met them in Virginia. They saw us and yelled ‘It’s Harry and Finley!’” “Yes, it was nice to see them again.” They headed down the trail to Ice Water Spring Shelter. “So, you see, Finley, we all hike the trail of life alone. Sometimes we make friends along the way. Sometimes we hike with them for a while, like Shennandoah Bound, in Massachusetts. But ultimately, you have to hike your own hike. That doesn’t mean that we’re loners, or anti-social.” It was still early when they got to the shelter. Most thruhikers do twenty mile days, and a lot take a zero in the next town. So this shelter was not usually too crowded. Harry picked his spot in the shelter, filtered their water, and started dinner. Green Dragon stopped by, to sign in at the shelter register. He still had a long way to hike today. In fact, he planned on some night hiking. “What’s this all about?” he asked? He pointed at the last entry in the register. “’Harry does not play well with others’, signed Finley.” “Harry won’t take me up any more four thousand footers on this section.” “But there aren’t any more on this section!” Harry sighed loudly.   ~ Paul (AHikingDude@aol.com)~ You are welcome to use the graphics on this page providing you use them as a set and don't mix them with other graphics. You may use a different title and different text, but be sure to include my button and a link back. (http://www.geocities/writerswinter2004/) All poems and short stories on this website have a copyright. If you wish to use one or more on your website, contact the author for permission. If you enjoyed this page, check these out: Captive Audience Anne Lise Mercer's Pond And.......for many others, click the link for HOME. Home: Writers' Winter 2004 Index