Epilogue

While Pax and I looked for an inexpensive place to stay, we ventured off the highway as soon as Roanoke, and started driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway. I felt sure we’d hit a trail town soon, which would offer a hostel or some place to sleep before the long drive home that wouldn’t cost an arm and a leg.

We found that most of what we came across, however, consisted of expensive lake or mountain lodges, and in frustration, stopped on a byway to see these designer views. Night descended, and we noticed that the site we visited didn’t have any signs up regarding illegal camping, or overnight parking prohibitions. Once we triple checked, and I convinced Pax that spiders wouldn’t murder us, I set up my tent in a field beside a river. For dinner, we split the leftover bread Neville had sent with us for the trip. She slept in the tent, on top of her blankets, and I took the sleeping pad and bag on the ground outside.

At one point, lightening flashed, and she kept an ear out for thunder, but it never neared enough to threaten rain. As day broke, we got up to take pictures of the mountains, which reflected in the lake and river. It was truly beautiful, and this was the last night I spent camping for the rest of the summer.

We got home the next day and I slept in my own bed, and the next day went to a Fourth of July pool party. My beard and long curly hair were a highlight for everyone, since I was so clean cut when I set out. Most people there had followed along by reading my blog, and more glad to see me home than disappointed that I didn’t make it the whole way. After all, they reminded me, the trail would still be there next year, just waiting for me.

After this, the adjustment to life in Connecticut was gradual, maybe even difficult, but there amongst friends and family, I resolved to get back to the trail as soon as possible.