MAGIC

Hi all, this is post #8 about brother Paul and I as we hike the Appalachian Trail. Thanks much for your encouragement and support. Very soon we will be in Maryland!

A lot of great stuff has happened since started this hike. We have been the recipients of what is known out here as trail magic! The people that supply such are often referred to as trail angels. A couple of them picked us up when we were facing a 6 mile walk to resupply in freezing weather. Another fed us all the hot dogs we could eat after a hard days hike, plus dinner and the next mornings breakfast (thanks legendary angel fresh ground)!

The natural world has also supplied us with numerous magical moments. Wildlife, waterfalls. summit and ridge line views have been just awesome. If magic can be defined as the impossible becoming possible then would have to say that the fact we have made it this far is also magical. There is no way that two months ago when we started out from Damascus that thought would make it out of Virginia. We are though, and for that I am extremely thankful. I don't know how long will be able to keep going but I do know that this has been a heck of a journey and am glad to be here. The goal remains to get to Maine, however in so many ways the trek has already surpassed my hopes and dreams.

I believe that there is much magic to be found all over the world not just in natural surroundings but also from individuals as well as services and programs delivered from organizations. one of the purposes of this hike is to try and raise some funds for two such agencies, Easter Seals of Wisconsin's camp Wawbeek, and Hawaii's non profit attached to its' Services for the Blind program known as the Friends of Ho`opono. Originally as the first posts indicate I did not plan to hike for any charity. Fellow camp counselors from Wisconsin though encouraged me to hike for Camp Wawbeek where I worked a couple of summers. The time spent there was trans formative. After agreeing to do that then decided that it made sense to also try and help out the Friends. After all a huge chunk of my being still remains at Ho`opono. If interested you can read more about these two organizations at the blog sites set up several months ago. They can be found at www.wawbeekaloha.blogspot.com and www.friendsofhoopono.blogspot.com.  There is a short video clip attached to each but you may want to have earplugs handy.

Alright photos follow below. They include deer, bear, birds, waterfalls, and cover highlights of the past few weeks such as scrambling up spy rock, and walking on a stony man. The one of my praying in front of the priest wilderness sign was taken after the tremendous rainfall that hit the south a couple of weeks ago. For some dumb reason I had put up my tent the day before during a slight lull and was one wet camper by the time we got off that mountain! Physical health is a okay and am 90% recovered from a recent chigger army body invasion! Okay next blog should be in early June. By then thinking we may be about done with Pennsylvania!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rocks

Hi all. Thanks for continued reading and comments. This is the seventh post. Nothing lost (except us) last couple of legs! No head bumps!! Did get two tent poles busted on two different tents though. Latest was fixable in the field so all is golden. We are moving along and not too long from now will reach Northern Virginia!

The Appalachian mountains are approximately 500 million years old which makes them like sort of ancient! At one time they were as high or higher than the Rockies but over time have not kept up and are now much shorter than their western cousins. They are however extremely large in volume as shrinking made their belt expand. That translates into making certain climbs up to ridge lines and gaps (passes) quite difficult. The trails are not able to go straight up due to their waist belt expansion. There are usually several ravines and/or gullies one has to go up and down before reaching a clearing.

As a result if the high point of the day is 1300 feet higher then where starting from, before one gets to that spot can pretty much count on having to climb at least 2600 feet or more.

As noted the rocks out here are old. As many of them have found their way to the trail it is kinda fun to think of the impact they have had over the years while one is stepping on them. For sure they have caused billions of blisters, sprained ankles, and sore feet. There must be positive impact as well, such as the result of people deciding to stop hiking and therefore lessening the footprint on the aina. Maybe they helped contribute to the rise and fall of the age of dinosaurs. Whatever, at least they provides lots of photo opps.

We have had some smoking days since the snow storm issue. Largest mileage in one day now stands at 18. That was due to my missing the signage for a shelter. By the time realized the mistake we had gone up a 2000 foot side hall and were not about to come down. Got lost a couple of times that day too as it got late and dark on us.

Met some awesome hikers. Most are quite a bit younger but a few are our age, and better yet not all are men with big beards.

Got a few days off here and there for r and r. Now have a new fav southern restaurant chain known as Cookout! Can get a fancy shake there for $1! Also made friends with patriot Sam Adams!

 

Alright that is all for now. Have plenty to write about later. Will continue to ponder the difference rocks make for the trail. They seem to me to be much like us humans. In other words all over the map. Some are helpful, some not, some beautiful, some well lets say would not take all the rocks come across home to Mama. Some make their mark on the world and others seem inconsequential. Am striving to move myself up towards the side that matters on the rock scale! At the end here are some pictures of the trail. Thanks everybody for your well wishes and thoughts. Have a great spring!

 

 

 

She

Hello again! Here is the sixth post! We have finally made it out of the southwest Virginia highlands and are now in the Central Virginia region. May not sound like much but please keep in mind that one third of the distance from Damascus where we started to the end at Maine's Katahdin lies in Virginia! This latest leg found us hiking 17 miles on the first day thanks to my ability to get lost. We were out on this occasion a total of 9 days (which makes over 20 trail days total so far) and now back at smith mountain lake for a couple of zeros before heading back out on 4/16. Glad to report that all lost this time was another stocking hat and a backpack cover. More good news is no head bangs from privies but did scrap the noggin several times at the shelters and a bunkhouse hostel. Super glad to report that there were only two freezing days this round and that the weather has finally warmed up! Here is a photo on top of war spur lookout

At some point will post more later about the latest segment, with pictures and stories about some of the awesome people we met but for now going to report on progress toward meeting one of my main goals for doing the trek. That was to deepen my appreciation for Hawai`i, Ohana, and in particular the one and only, my taitai, Shui yu Betty Lee.

Betty and I first met in April 1978 at the municipal Taipei airport. My former roommate during grad school days at Greeley Colorado, Chaiyutha Lertpachin, had arranged for her and others to show me around the Taiwan capital and country side. Chai had a few years earlier married Betty's roommate from her days at Tamsui's Christ College. There I stood outside the baggage claim area wearing the same sort of footwear and clothes wore to work in those days, open toe sandals and a cotton shirt patterned with elephants. Betty, being a sales representative and English interpreter for a Taiwanese plastics company was not impressed. We did however get along and when got back home started corresponding. That July she came to America on a three month business visa with a mission to try and drum up some North American business for her company. The firm already had a foothold in Australia and wanted to expand to other English language markets. Not long after she arrived in New York City I called and told her about a good friends wedding coming up on September 2 and invited to come on over to Honolulu for that event.

She arrived a few days before Guy and Lynn's ceremony. I met her at the gate for the 1 am arrival. She was smiling, happy and looked as gorgeous then as she does now.

Over the next several days we went to the wedding plus snorkeling,UH football, movies, and camping with the church group at Kualoa regional park. The campout took place during her last weekend in town. I had a plan to take her to the top of Mokoli`i (Chinaman's Hat) and propose.

We paddled out there and climbed to the top but I couldn't get the words out. Was worried she might get mad and push me off the cliff. That afternoon stopped at my brother's house. In this picture she is thinking something like "this bozo has about 12 hours to get it done or will be out of his life forever." I am thinking "gonna get down on my knees begging her please."

That evening we went to the lagoons at the Kahala Hilton. Time was running out as the next morning she was returning to the mainland to finish up her work and then back to Taiwan. Did get down on those knees and thankfully she knew what was coming so no begging necessary. Subsequent conversation settled the number of kids (3) and laid a plan for her to finish up the work she had to do and return to the islands by the end of September prior to  visa expiration.

The next two weeks waiting for her to come back were the longest of my life. As it turned out there was plenty to worry about whether she would return or not. Pressure to not go through with getting married came from all sides, family, business, and friends. Return she did though. By that time had figured out that if we did not get married while she was still in America chances were we would not get married at all. The arrangements fell on me. Even though there were only 8 people present it was still quite a bit of work! Brother John served as photographer and poem reader"soar deep into your love of life".

Sister in law Diana got the flowers and Parker UMC's Reverend Rhodes Martin said he would be thrilled to officiate. October 1, 1978 was world communion Sunday and he saw our union as the joining of east and west. Besides my brother John and Diana, only nephew Jeremiah, plus friends Ken, Clyde and Kay were there.

I had told many others we would have a reception and party at a later date. That turned out to be true, just is such occurred in Taiwan and not Honolulu.

My mother in law once knew that the deed was done started sending daily multi page letters to Betty. They consisted of what and what nots. After she became convinced that her daughter would not get hapai soon and that the marriage was valid she slowed down on the letter writing and eventually stopped altogether. Mother Lee then started planning a ceremony to be held in Taiwan a year and a half later. It was a grand affair, with a 300 plus guest list. Due to a marital law decree cracking down on wedding parties just a few weeks prior dim sum was served during instead of after the hour long minute ceremony. Servers walked up and down the aisles passing and collecting trays of tea and snacks such as bbq pork buns, shrimp spring rolls, turnip cake, and egg custard tarts. While everyone was eating various people gave speeches with the two of us standing at the front of the stage. I did not understand a word. We exited the hall through a wall of firecrackers and smoke. A small banquet followed for a select few with the traditional dishes, and endless toasting. My cheeks hurt for days afterwards from all the smiling.

Time moved on, we made a life with each other and for our three now adult children. Each have their own unique personalities, vocations, and gifts. I wouldn't trade them nor the past 36 years for the world. Many people have asked where does Betty stand on the going away for half a year bit. Some have made comments that indicate their disbelief she would allow such to occur. The truth is Betty has been very supportive. She really did forget that the hike was to be this long until a few months prior but once that was understood was okay. Did not ever expect her to be jumping up and down. After all, our marriage vows did not state that you are to be very happy when your husband decides decades from now to voluntarily leave you for 6 months to go spend a boatload of money ro walk in the woods with his brother. Originally had planned for her to come out around the half way point for a few days but due to circumstances that does not look like will happen. So, now it is 5 weeks since left home and we have been away from each other longer than have ever been.

The hardest part of hiking the Appalachian Trail is the mental toughness it takes to get through. There are physical challenges plenty and several have faced already such as muscle strains, bone spurs, freezing cold, rain, poison ivy, infections, hard climbs, and missed trail signs. Thanks to proper gear, and supplements such as garlinase (mahalo army buddy, top medic first class C Montoya) have got through listed ailments and think can deal with those yet to come. There is not a pill though that am aware of to make it easier to deal with being away from home this long. When planning the hike did not think 5 or 6 months would be a problem. When consider that this year is already 4 months old and that 4 months from now will be done or close to it makes me think what is the big deal. That line of reasoning however does not take into account when one wakes up in the middle of the night alone in a shelter with the full moon shining bright, or having no one to make some sort of herbal concoction to improve whatever is hurting, or a thousand other things.

I miss Hawai`i, the children, our home, but most of all I miss my wife. The goal to deepen appreciation for her has been met a hundred times over already.

Am trying to figure out just what takes the greater mental toughness. Sticking it out so can be with my brother on this quest or possessing enough resiliency to go home and not regret missing out on the rest of this once in a lifetime hike and its moments of solitude, peace, and pure joy. If do leave early it will be due to the need that have to get back to the side of she to whom I belong. If continue on the next 4 or 5 months will be due to the fact that besides being stupid am confident that when get home to Betty she will be supportive of the choice I made. As one friend said 'she must be a saint." As far as I am concerned that such is true there is no doubt.

Grand Canyons

Hello all and welcome back! This is the fifth post and covers among other things the first segment of our hike from Damascus to Bland Virginia.  At the start of this post is a picture of  the Virginia highlands.

My Mom (originally a Jenkins) and Dad when they were newly married made a trip for the first time in their lives to the American West. Uncle Paul (current hiking partner aka brother Paul's namesake) also went along and some other relatives were no doubt present as well but sorry Jenkins clan am not sure exactly which ones. The primary destination of their journey was the Grand Canyon and they like so many upon first sight of that wonder were astonished by its beauty. Here is a picture of the canyon's bright angel trail that they decided on the spur of the moment to travel on.

After a few minutes of walking Uncle Paul told the group to stay put and he would go find some mules so they could ride all the way to the Colorado River some 8 miles and four thousand feet below. In the meantime Dad had made friends with somebody from Europe whom took off walking and as he followed that man so did the other group members. An hour or so and a few miles later Uncle Paul showed up with the news that no mules could be found for the journey. As they had already traveled awhile the decision was made to keep on going to the bottom, despite the fact that the only water they had for four people was a picnic thermos jug. Plus Dad was wearing his dress  shirt with tie and Mom her traveling dress with low platform shoes. They got to the river in good condition, refilled the thermos and started the hike back out. By that time though the midday sun was out and the group worried if they had enough water and energy to make it out. Uncle Paul set everyone down and said "listen we will be okay, stay calm and I will find water somewhere and we will make it out of here." A few miles later the group was nearly out of water and still a long ways from topside. Uncle spotted a cabin not far off the trail and took off to get help. He ignored the posted sign which said no water or food available for hikers and knocked on the door. Luckily a woman answered and after explaining the circumstances refilled the thermos and made sandwiches for everyone. Thanks to her kindness the gang got to the top before it was too late at night and all were a okay. They were very fortunate. As a youngster hearing the story of how my parents jaunt in the grand canyon could have ended in disaster hundreds of times I figured that hiking mainly was equated with beating the odds to stay alive. As grew older came to understand that there are tons of adventures one can have without putting life and limb at risk.

No wonder that challeging adventures in the outdoors have always stuck in my memory as grand canyons. The first segment of our Appalachian Trail hike in the highlands of southern Virginia definitely belongs in that category. We had a glorious 11 days of hiking the first leg. Most all of the time there was no one else around for miles and miles. The views were stunning,  the climbs invigorating, the streams flowing. One would be hard pressed to hope for more despite the fact that it was like freezing cold the whole time. Icicles everywhere, 10 degree nights, frozen boots, numb feet, howling winds, snow drifts and the list goes on. Coming down off a mountain on the third day we ate lunch in a privy as that was the only place could take the gloves off and not worry about frost bite. The last couple of days walked in a snowstorm. It was hard to see the white blazes on the trees and we did go off track a few times. One more wrong turn and we easily would have not reached our last night's campsite until well after dark if at all. Here is a picture of that day's destination named appropriately the Jenkins Shelter! Grandpa Jenkins would be happy we made it there!

As it was everytime brother Paul sat down on a log to rest I worried that we would end up like Warren Beatty unable to move in the snow at the end of McCabe and Mrs.Miller (of course he was also shot but that is besides the point). That is my brother sitting on the log and the one right below him is what was going through my mind as to how we could end up if didn't keep moving!

A positive is that the weather provided the opportunity for my first backpack ever in winter conditions. Plus can sing when no one else is around. Songs about home were best although trying to vocalize Honolulu city lights in driving snow on slippery paths can really make the voice crack.

Another plus is that only walked into one tree (did bang the head several times though entering and exiting privies). Also glad to report that kept the loss of personal items at a minimum. Will confess, however, that spent an anxious halfhour or more in the dark looking for my ID/money pouch on a deserted roadway, but turned out that had not lost such after all as the item was later found in the backpack hip belt. Did lose a woolen stocking hat but compared to previous trips the losses so far are manini. That good news plus the snow adds up to this being one epic trip already! There is much more that could write about the first segment but will probably have to wait till get home to do so. Reason being that have to get ready to get back on the trail. We are itching to have some more grand canyon experiences!

Here is Paul and I at the beginning of our trek. Thanks for reading and for all the well wishes. Is most appreciated.

Grandpa and Grandma Jenkins are in this picture.

He is around 82 years young at the time of the photo. My Grandpa Jenkins was a great great man as was his wife a great great woman. The same goes for our Mom and Dad and of course Uncle Paul.

Hi all, this is the fourth post of preparation activities of my attempt to hike the 
Appalachian Trail with brother Paul starting March 16. We hope to walk around 2000 miles through buku states. More background on the whys and hows can be found on the earlier posts.

SOON

Leaving the islands in less than a week! Can't wait but on the other hand given the big winter storm Titan currently hitting the Appalachian Trail maybe I can! If a storm is also predicted for the day we plan to start hiking will definitely have to wait it out. Been living in warm weather too long to just be thrown into the cold. Motto is if below 70 can handle but best to doddle.

Recently finished up with the GP, DDS, and Podiatrist. Glad to report the medical profession is squarely behind this venture and fully confident that can do it. They also have given plenty of encouragement and words of wisdom. Favorite nuggets include: "No worry about the home front as am sure your wife is glad you are going away; Is ok eat all the apple pie you want why not!; Go get em and don't walk into any trees."

This picture shows Betty's reaction when told her what the Doc said about being glad.

The kids called me a pig for gobbling down in one setting over half of a costco apple pie. Hey does this look like that big a slice?

Upon leaving the Podiatrist office I promptly got a bloodied forehead and almost knocked to the ground from walking into a tree - all can say is it was one big tree!

 So except for the go get em comment sort of struck out on the medical advice bit but nonetheless their well wishes were appreciated.

Lots to do once arrive at brother's Paul and Susie's home in Smith Mountain Lake

Virginia on 3/11. First will set up tents as need to seal the notch and also still undecided just which shelter to start off with. Will get to the supply store as have barely used and unsed gear to get a refund on. Then need to decide whether to use such on yet another tent or a sat phone. My brother and I have to figure out how to add some map apps and we are also going to go take a class on wilderness first aid. If I get knocked down by any more trees at least Paul will know what to do. Main thing before start hiking is get to a Bojangles for southern style chicken and biscuits. Trust me it is gooood!

Time do all that will be heading down to Damascus on 3/15 to start the walk the next day. Of course if it is not 70 F on 3/16 will wait a few till it is!

Okay as you may recall there are three of us brothers and John is the oldest.He and his wife are currently visiting China for the next few months. We are hoping he gets back in time to join or greet us at the finish line. Here is a shot of the boys from 1979 just prior to the final cousin bowl. We ended up with something like twenty victories to their zero over a span of decades. Had such a great record mainly because the Eveland cousins were always like 20 years older than us!

Don't know when will update again. When do so probably will be short and brief. Thanks everyone for your support and encouragement! Please continue to wish us luck. Here is an aerial shot of the trail. Paul has it figured out on his website how to show where we are on the map but don't look for that sort of insight here!