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Thursday–November 4, 2021
Trail Day–258
Trail Mile–11.6/2583.3
Remaining Miles–34.4
Location–Beartown Mountain Road (1538.3) to Homes Road (1526.7), then to home of Mike & Carol Whalen and son, Chris, Otis, Massachusetts
The Whalens have taken us all in, with pure joy in their hearts for us. Their son, Chris, being a thru-hiker, and having lived that experience with him–Mike & Carol fully understand the quest I’ve undertaken (and my needs), and have reached out to extend their hospitality and kindness to me. It truly is a wonderful thing!
For the past hundreds of days you’ve followed along this trail with me, the happy days, those of toil and tribulation, the joys, the anguish. Today was a mix of both, the most pleasurable company of friends, plus the toll accumulated, the extended days of mental and physical exertion. So, I’ll leave describing this day at that.
I’ve entered into a shadowy area, the final few days of this extended journey. I’ve hope, yet much anxiety, the mixed feelings of wanting to continue, yet the relief of knowing the end will be soon. It’s perplexing, and I’m having a hard time dealing with it…
Ends are not bad things,
they just mean that something else is about to begin.
And there are many things that don’t really end, anyway…
(C. JoyBell C.)
