[at-l] Gathering

[kahley7 <kahley7@ptd.net>]

Few people ever even consider hiking from
GA>.ME or ME>GA?  Now consider what it feels like
to spend a couple days with a couple hundred people who
have actually done it.  My head is still swiming....

First consider that I HATE TO DRIVE!!!
I mean I REALLY HATE TO DRIVE!!!!
So for me to drive a thousand miles.well let's just say
I was gonna be a hard sell....how_could_this_be_worth_it??

Hour seven of the drive, my mental screaming had erupted into
real screaming.  I was actually zooming down highway I 64
screaming.....aaaaarrrgggh.  All caution swept to the wind...
pedal to the metal...70 80 90 mph....just get there......just get this
over with!

I glanced over at one of the cars I passed and saw the liscense plate.
It said  "I HYKE."   A smile broke out...I started to laugh.  I slowed
down....well at least enough to be able to scan other cars for signs
of hykers <G>.  ATC stickers, ALDHA stickers, backpacks and lekis.
Suddenly I was among friends....And it was that way all weekend!

I burst into the Folk Center and saw a guy at a table with a tag that
said "Bleeder Guy".  I stood there grinning like a fool and he says
"Why do I feel like I should know you?"  And it was that way all
weekend!

Friends I had met at the Ruck or on the Trail.
Friends from here and ATML whom I'd never laid eyes on.
New faces from all over the country all gathered for the love of hiking.

This misfit never felt so at home before.
And it was that way all weekend.

See ya'll in Hanover.....
even if I have to drive another thousand miles.....just for a weekend.



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