Trail Love · Jun 24 by Kurt Peterson
We are travelers in the desert of life and the best we can find in our journey is an honest friend.
– Robert Louis Stevenson
Seven years ago today, I hiked north on the Appalachian Trail out of Harper’s Ferry, WV with my old friend, Evan, and my dog, Maggie. I had just returned from a couple of days off in Baltimore and was excited to stumble into Evan, better known as “Polish Ninja” on the Trail. I hadn’t seen him in several hundred miles, since somewhere in North Carolina, shortly after we began our thru-hikes. After 3 months, we both had our trail legs under us. But like the rest of 2002, it was a hot, humid day, and a late afternoon departure seemed best, something I knew Maggie would appreciate. But before leaving, another thru-hiker named Rebecca, also known as “Kali-Frodo,” decided to join us on our hike out of town. Evan and I had both met her briefly back in Georgia, but neither of us knew her well.
Little did I know as wet set out on that hot and sticky day where the three of us would find ourselves seven years later.
The next 3+ months and 1,000 miles of hiking I formed one of the deepest, most unique friendships with the both of them, sharing a once-in-a-lifetime journey on our way to Mount Katahdin, Maine. And in that time, I had the privilege of watching these two amazing people fall deeply in love.
So I was filled with an immense sense of honor when they asked me to officiate their wedding on top of Max Patch Mountain near Hot Springs, NC and appropriately—right smack on top of the Appalachian Trail.
Evan & Rebecca, may life continue to bless you in all the ways you have already experienced, and in all the many ways you’ll undoubtedly continue to discover within yourselves.
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