Anne-Davnes Elser

~:TBD Appalachian Trail Journal: 10.6.87 - 10.16.87 :~

10.6.87
6:30 pm

I need to find some people to hike with. This solitude shit is driving me crazy.

10.7.87
11:30 am

"Well." Isn't this the strangest day. From Fort Montgomery (where I stayed last night) I started at 9:00 am with my thumb out trying to hitch a ride back to the trail I'm so burnt out on. Well, I musta got awful confused or something kuz I got a ride from a guy going in the wrong direction. He ended up dropping me off on a major interstate highway, half way to New York City.

What a bummer!

I didn't want to chance hitchhiking on a major highway, so I walked to the closest civilization and there I would figure out my next move.

Well, it turns out, that guy dropped me off closer to the city than I thought.

To make a long story short, here I am on my way on a charter bus to Port Authority Bus Station in New York City. The last time I was there, I was in my DRESS BLUES in the Navy. A lot has happened in my life since then.

So it looks like I'm going to the Big Apple after all. It's like I keep telling myself, NEVER SAY NEVER!!

I guess I'm glad I'm making this part of the trip. After all, the A.T. experience is different for everyone. I should make the most of it. I'll probably never get to do this again. So off I go to NYC with a pack on my back, Oh Doo Dah, Da.

Who knows what's next for me.

5:30 pm

Wow, what a day! A.T. in the am, NYC in the afternoon. Definitely a worth while trip. That was the first time for me in the city.

I took the subway to 8th street and walked down broadway. Ate a shish-ka-bob and a hot dog with everything, a pretzel, an ice cream cone and a coke. What a meal.

I walked through Greenwich Village and down 42nd street. Now I can say I've been to the BIG APPLE.

It's been a long day.

I'm now on a bus heading for Delaware Water Gap. I've got to catch up to some other hikers.

This solitude is too much. I want to be a Happy Hiker again. In order to do that I've gotta find some other people going through what I'm going through.

10.13.87

My heart hurts.

I was busy packing my pack around 2:30 when I started thinking of Kaija.

I suddenly realized she was due to leave today, what time, I didn't know.

I felt this incredible need to speak to her, just one last time.

I got my boots on and ran down to the payphone on the corner.

I called... no answer.



She's gone.

God protect her and those with her.

I wanted so bad, just to hear her voice once more.

I love her.

I know it must sound a tad premature, but I know I love her. I wish I was with her. I miss her so much. I hope Kaija feels the same way about me as I do her. I told her over the phone (2 days before) that I loved her. I'm not sure I should have said that. But that's what I feel in my heart.

Oh, Lord, drive with them and keep them safe. And Lord, give Kaija pleasant thoughts and dreams. Make her calm and give her a warm feeling that everything is going to work out. Give her strength. Lord, give me strength also, and guide me safely to the finish, and father if it be your will, guide Kaija and I together again.

I love her father. Thank you Lord. I feel better knowing you have everything under control. Amen.

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Well here I am, Delaware Water Gap. And yes - I caught up to some hikers. So tomorrow I'll start again, with company.

Kaija was right. You feel so much better after you unload on paper.

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10.15.87

R O C K S !!!

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10.16.87
Friday

This state IS quite rocky. I'm now hiking with Jason (Cloudfinder). He too is stopping in Harper's Ferry and yes he wants to take his time. So now I"ve got a partner till the end. It's so much more pleasant hiking with someone. Although I'm glad I did half the trail solo.

That's where I really learned about myself.

The weather this week has been terrific. Not a cloud in the sky for 3 days and the weekend is supposed to be as nice. The temp is about 68 degrees, perfect for hiking, I must say!

It's been 2 weeks since I last saw Kaija. It seems so long ago. I miss her. I tell myself to be patient. Be patient in all things.

I think, if someone were to ask me to sum up the whole trail, that word would be PATIENCE. It's a word I face every day of my life. A word I'm just beginning to deal with.

This trip is just the beginning. I must remember that word the rest of my life. Lord, help me to remember.

"Darling Boy"

GA-HF 87 ME-HF
Flip-Flop
Appalachian Trail Journal

1987

Tom B. Dusenberry
2340 Leisure Lane
Atlanta, Georgia 30338
404-451-3531