day twenty (april 10) bittersweet....

the big boys decided that it's time to come home.  i started to write 'admit defeat' but that would only be partially true.  in hindsight, it's easier to see that maybe the goal was unrealistic from the beginning.  i do know they made it three weeks longer than i would have :)

so, why did they reach this decision?  from what i can tell there were many factors that played into the final 'yip, we're done.'   the missing family is obviously the underlying factor, but it went deeper than that.  i think they both thought it would be more of a solitary adventure, and it was anything but that.  there were probably 30 - 40 tents at night gathered at the different stops.  and it seems that hiking the AT has become the hip, chic thing to do among a largely young group.  which is fine and i wish i would have thought of it when i was young :)  but with it, came nightly partying.  and, don't get me wrong, no judgment here.  it's just that it put the big boys into their tents way earlier than they would have liked.  i asked greg one night how they could be carrying alcohol in their packs up and down the mountains?  he said that not only are they carrying a liquor stash but even glass bongs. that takes some seriously careful packing.  oh, and guitars.  thirty years ago, i would have been the ring leader most likely.... but when the big boys are 60, Believers, and doing this for fitness more than fun, it just wasn't an endearing combination.  and secondly, it was sleeping on the hard, rocky, unforgiving ground.  i am pretty sure i remember writing about the ground...ummm, lots of times :)

while they don't like feeling that they may have disappointed some, the feeling that now is the time to stop was even stronger.  they so appreciate the prayers, comments, and encouragement!  whenever you undertake an adventure (adoption comes to mind....), it is such a good feeling knowing that others are standing in the gap for you -- rooting for you in the stands!  that's what you guys felt like to them.  so to wind this adventure up, here's what i am personally thankful for...

1.  the big boys' friendship is stronger than ever
2.  care bear and i have a stronger friendship too
3.  greg's and toby's cardiovascular fitness is greatly improved
4.  they both have a desire to continue getting in shape and have a good platform to build from
5.  they met a lot of interesting people with interesting stories
6.  God spared them from getting sick or injured in the midst of many conditions that could have been painful or life-altering
7.  the lessons they learned probably won't totally be seen until some time passes.  God is good at not wasting one thing.  especially on an adventure like this...