Why?

March 7, 2017

I am crossing Rocky Top, Tennessee.  Horizontal rain.  Fog shredding across the craggy ridge top.  Wind shaking my pack and me like a dog with a rag toy.  As I stagger to and fro across the path, the insidious question arises – WHY did I agree to a thru hike?

But then … then …

The trail dives over the edge of the ridge, onto the leeward side.  Moist, dead leaves cushion my footsteps.  The wind stops, birds sing, heat creeps into my fingers.  I am enveloped in a mother-of-pearl cloud as morning sun warms the fog.

And I know my answer – I am blessed.