Introduction

About Pathways

Appalachian Trail

Why Walk?

Make a Pledge

Hiking Schedule

Journal

Photos

Links

Acknowledgements

June 6, 2001

Hard time keeping up with this journal. Spent the past two nights in Luray at Gabe's house. Christy and Pete Connally showed up the second night for a visit and cook-out. Gabe made BBQ ribs to die for.

Out of the Shenandoah's now. Saw a box turtle, frog, and woodpecker today, plus all of the deer. Would've seen more, but I sang a lot so I wouldn't think about sore feet after 24+ miles. It is really great to see good friends. But it also opens my brain, puts me in myself again, makes me vulnerable, and opens the flood gates. Watching other people's faces when I talk about home is always painful. They look uncomfortable, ready for me to change the subject, unwilling to listen. Today it finally occurred to me that they might be mirroring the look in my face. When I talked to Dad he said that all he wanted for father's day was for me to check in and stop being angry at him.

There's a bird I've only heard in the Shenandoah's that sounds like a continuing, sliding scale of waterfall chirps--like on Wayne's world or a laser fun or pinball machine. I like it.