[at-l] To the Class of '98

[TOKTAADN@aol.com]

A modest little tribute to the folks that had the great fortune to be
thruhikers this year.  Special thanks for an inspiring journal to Magaroni
who's a helluva thruhiker in my book.  And a most heartfelt wish for Earl
Shaffer's successful completion of his 50th anniversary hike.  And no slight
intended to the inspiring section hikers, especially my buddies Bogey and Slim
who concluded their ten year section hike with a rainbow at Katahdin!  Now
that's finishing up in grand style!

Just yesterday it seems
We bade them all farewell.
Now they're coming back
With incredible tales to tell.

A fond farewell at Springer
A hike of 5 million steps
Every thru-hiker's goal
To reach Katahdin with no regrets.

Where did the time go?
They left just yesterday
Braving harsh winter weather
that just wouldn't go away.

They missed the dog and pony show,
Lewinsky, Clinton and Starr.
For this they should be thankful
That they traveled the AT so far.

Earl Shaffer is in Maine,
Still aiming at his goal.
More inspiring than 65 homers,
Touching every hiker's soul.

Thousands tried the hike,
and thousands came up short.
A few hundred topped Katahdin
And filed their ATC report.

Even if you didn't make it,
You still had a grand trek.
Thruhiking knows no losers.
Only aces in this deck!

You learned a new way of life,
Your rhythms in tune with nature,
Your needs so simplified,
Just another forest creature.

Some of us will follow you
Down the path we call the AT
We hope you'll share your wisdom
For you've been where we will be!

It's not a hero's welcome
I hope a poem will do.
We know you've changed a lot
Now that you've achieved your thru.

Now you're back in the real world
So complex it makes you blue.
But remember all your friends,
Who can do real world Trail Magic too!

Happy trails,

Solar Bear















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