17 Comments
User's avatar
Switter’s World's avatar

Sometimes I wonder if the saddest part of a journey is when you reach the destination.

Expand full comment
Mark VanLaeys's avatar

That I can relate to. The peak, the destination are all great for an hour or two but then, there's the - where could I possibly go from here but back or down ? BUT you carry the memories and more times than not, they are very sweet.

Expand full comment
Switter’s World's avatar

-There is always the option of yo-yoing back to Mexico. A few restless souls manage to yoyo the trail each year. As Francis Parkman foretold, some will become wanders and Ishmaelites till the day they die. That's not a bad destiny if is is a journey toward freedom and beauty.

Expand full comment
D Trefz's avatar

Such a great F. Parkman quote! As one upon whom wilderness "has cast its magic", here's something from E. Abbey that resonates in me frequently while poking about in wild places--"This is the most beautiful place on earth. There are many such places."

Expand full comment
Switter’s World's avatar

I always appreciated that quote from Parkman. I am also a big Abbey fan. I probable read Desert Solitaire a half dozen times. I wish I had a photographic memory so that I could spout out all of his quotables.

It's great to hear from you, old friend. Keep in touch and maybe join me on the trail.

Expand full comment
Lindalou's avatar

There is only a path where someone has been before you and you follow it. And make it better for someone else to go after you. And one day the ones that followed your path will understand why you went there.

Expand full comment
Switter’s World's avatar

And the answer to why is why not.

Expand full comment
Mick Hodges's avatar

Where are you going? Need to borrow a good Dutch oven?

Expand full comment
Switter’s World's avatar

Heh. I already have a 12 quart and it weighs in under 50#.

Expand full comment
Switter’s World's avatar

We going up the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada. It will be tough, but we’ll have to make do with one Dutch oven.

Expand full comment
David Perlmutter's avatar

He was one of the first great modern historians.

Expand full comment
Switter’s World's avatar

And wrote beautifully.

Expand full comment
Susan W's avatar

So many of these remind me of my trail journey with Justin on the JMT not so long ago.

Expand full comment
Switter’s World's avatar

We geriatrics still have some get up and goats.

Expand full comment
Heather Brebaugh's avatar

Thoughts before a wilderness adventure...

Expand full comment
Switter’s World's avatar

I’ve been to this rodeo before and like to fortify my mind before I go.

Expand full comment
Heather Brebaugh's avatar

Good game plan!🤠

Expand full comment