The Long Trail

I woke up this morning and could hardly walk. 
No malady. 
Nothing that I needed to see a doctor for. 
Just sore legs from three days of hiking on Vermont’s Long Trail with one of my sons.  Brandon and I have been talking about doing this hike for some time.  Then, earlier this summer, we finally did more than talk and put the dates on our calendar.  Four days in late September.  The perfect time to be hiking in Vermont.
Brisk nights. 
Cool, clear days. 
Leaves beginning to change. 
It did not turn out as we had imagined. 
The dates we picked were three weeks after Hurricane Irene devastated Vermont, including the Long Trail. We spent our three days hiking on trails that were washed away leaving mostly stones and roots, and in some places still more creek beds than trails.  And then there was the weather.  Instead of crisp, clear early fall days it was warm and humid and when it was not that it was raining.   We started with a mile and a half up a mountain.  We were drenched in sweat well before we reached the summit.  Our last evening was again up a mountain only this time in the pouring rain, but we were already so wet it did not matter any more.

But, with all of that I had a great time! 
And, have hobbled around this morning deeply grateful.
Grateful for the three days I had with my son.
Grateful that I have the ability to hike up the mountain and stand on the top and look out over the beauty of the Green Mountains.
Grateful for the absolute silence and absolute darkness I experienced on the last night after the rain had finally stopped and I could sit for a moment surrounded by both before crawling in my sleeping bag and falling asleep.
Grateful for the sore legs this morning that reminds me of all that and more.