[at-l] Foolish Night Hike

[nealb@midlandstech.com (William Neal)]

When I was younger and rode interstate buses there was a gentleman that fit
the profile of a hobo.  He wore beat up old clothes and carried a bedroll
and a rucksack.  

One time he stopped at one of those country crossroad diners while the bus
waited for a connecting bus.  He ordered a big hamburger and a thick
milkshake.  The waitress, when she served him, decided she better see if he
had any money.  He reached in his jeans and pulled out a wad big enough to
choke a horse.

Turned out he was heir to a family fortune -- in fact, the family that
"owned" the bus line.  The drivers had been told to watch out for him.  But
the drivers would have anyway since he was such a friendly guy.  He was one
of those who could say that he had never met someone he did not like.

He could have lived a life of luxury, but he chose the open road and meeting
people.  Some will say that he had the money to do that.  But I think he
would have done it anyway.  Something money cannot buy.  They may make it
easier, but they can't buy the happiness.

Which is one reason I like this list.  

William, The Turtle

-----Original Message-----
From: Shane Steinkamp [mailto:shane@theplacewithnoname.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 02, 2002 12:45 PM
To: pmags@yahoo.com; at-l@backcountry.net
Subject: RE: [at-l] Foolish Night Hike


> Been very luck in my life as far as friends go. I'll
> never be rich monetarily...but my life has been rich
> in other ways.
>
> Life is good.

This really struck me, and I thought I'd comment.  Three and a half years
ago my very good friend Deanna died of an extremely rare form of cancer at
age 26.  Her disease is so rare that she was the subject of several journal
articles, which took over a year to kill her.

She never took life very seriously, and never took college seriously
either - choosing instead to make friends and enjoy life.  Most of those
friends stuck with her and were a wonderful support in her time of need.
Near the end of her days, she remarked to me, 'I'm glad I played around so
much and have so many friends.  If I'd have taken life seriously, where
would I be now?'  She died three days later, and was very satisfied that her
life had been 'rich'.

Hiking and other outdoor activities are a kind of 'wealth' that we can all
afford - and should make time for.

Shane