Ode to 4Runner

4Runner, our trail partner, has how become Nate
Trading his camp pot for a nice clean plate.
This whole routine of hiking just wasn't his style
Or so he found out going mile upon mile.
His budding "fro" will now become cut
And his tight stomach may develop a gut.
Because this was something he had thought through
We gave our support in whatever he'd do.
We miss our brother quite a lot
And know there isn't anyone who can fill his spot.

-- Nets

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straight.  One day while the temperatures soared up near 100 degrees I completely ran out of water.  I ended up walking nearly four miles before I could drown myself in as much fluid as I could bear.  The combination of heat, dehydration, being alone and walking over tough terrain made me pretty miserable.  On top of this, I had lost my journal, Bible, radio and other odds and ends a few days earlier.  Thus, I didn't even have a pen and paper to use as an outlet for my emotions.  But, at least I had plenty of mosquitoes sucking on my blood all night long as I slept in unbearable heat.

Eventually I caught several thru-hikers.  When you have people around who are experiencing the same conditions as you, it makes I easier to cope with the realities you are living.  Slowly I once again began to find things to appreciate in the midst of the problems.  I met a few new thru-hikers and enjoyed getting to know about them and their experiences.  I also began waking up at 5:00 AM and hiking in the cooler hours of the morning, resting mid-day in the heat, and finishing off towards dusk.  And for the first time in a week I got to see Snickers and the Pittsburgh Boys, who I had been trailing.  Snickers and I visited a city called Dent in Connecticut.  We went to an outfitter, had a great lunch, and enjoyed a beautiful day.  We decided to try our luck at getting to the next city over to catch a movie.  Turns out a great family took us fifteen miles to a town known as New Milford and dropped us off in front of the theater.  We arrived five minutes before the movie started and we got matinee price.  After laughing like crazy through "The Spy Who Shagged Me" we got another hitch back to the trail from a nice gentleman named Dean.

The next day I called my mom and found out somebody had found my Bible, radio, journal, etc. and was sending it to me.  There are great days, bad days, and terrible days on the trail, just as there are anywhere else.  The thing I have found is that despite the fact there is such a wide range of emotions we have potential to experience, there are things that will see us through.  Connecting with friends, looking at the beautiful things around you, being patient through the hard times, laughing whenever possible, and praying for miracles are all things that will help see us through.  The hard times this week really helped me to appreciate my friendships and the good experiences of the trail in a more real way.  So let's keep walking, shall we?

Mark 1:17

The Blue Ridge Mountain range is a very peaceful and scenic mountain range.  Wherever you go you can see mountains all around you.  When you are walking through the forest you can hear birds singing and sometimes you can hear the water of a stream trickling downstream.  When you are at the top of a mountain you can feel the wind blowing against your face.  Along the side of trails you can see flowers that fill the air with a sweet smell.

By Samuel Raby  (age 11 -- Nets' younger brother)
April 28, 1999

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two jobs at a time and taking less college courses.  They ordered a lot of their gear together, shopped at outfitters together and even shopped for their food for "mail drops" together.  They gleaned information from experienced thru-hikers and others who helped them.

On February 13 the boys and their families along with a close friend Mike and his son, drove to Springer Mountain.  We all hiked a mile to the trailhead together, took lots of pictures and enjoyed the magnificent view.

The next day we drove the boys back up the mountain, prayed for them and said goodbye as they headed to Maine.  Later that day they met Steve Howard and Steve Endicott from Georgia.

Check for updates and pictures of the hike in Steve's AT Homepage at www.as123.com/steve/