“My Journey Is My Destination...”
"…I walked three miles to the Tennessee line. Pure happiness flowed from me!"
By Dustin Jackson appalachian.jackson@gmail.com
Day 132 25.9 miles Iron Mtn. Shelter
Today I hike for Terry “Tennessee” Busler, a very, very good friend of mine. I can’t tell you how much this guy means to me. His day has been coming for a while.
He lived in TX for too long, now he's back. A perfect day to hike for him since
I
rossed into Tennessee today!
I left Damascus this morning after breakfast with the 'Pirate.' I walked three
miles to the TN state line.
When I got there, I played a song, wrote a song, played my harmonica, jumped
around, screamed, and celebrated.
Pure happiness flowed from me! No reservations on any of my feelings. As I hiked
on I felt as if everyone who had not made it this
far had their hands on my back pushing me up the trail. I felt light.
I hiked past an old original AT shelter where a couple was sitting enjoying the
sunshine. They asked for a
picture of me. Sure! We talked of the trail. Richard and Susan were hiking for
the day.
Richard talked of the trail and wanting to thru hike. I could hear the emotion
in his voice and sense an uncomfortable squirm in his body. He felt the same
way I did when I decided to hike. It felt so familiar. He had considered hiking
the trail many times, but
“life” got in the way. He said he couldn’t make time. I told him that no one can make time. We just have to decide what
we want to do with the time we
’re given. I also told him, "what is five or six months in the years of life."
As I hiked away from him I felt full of “want” for him to hike the trail. I turned around and hiked back. I told
him what had helped me to decide to hike the trail. I made list of all of the
positive effects of hiking the AT, then a list of all the negatives. I found
all the negative effects were only coming from fear of the unknown and they did
not add up to much. After telling him this, I recognized his uncomfortable
squirm of making a huge decision. I saw myself in him only a little while ago.
I wished him well and hiked on. I know he
’ll hike it one day!
I hiked on a beautiful ridgeline all day. I spotted South Holston Lake through
the trees, another good reason to hike for Terry today. South Holston Lake is
my, Terry
’s, Dad’s, and, the late, Mike Grindstaff’s
favorite places to go. Man, it’s good to be home!
I crossed Hwy. 91 at the top of Stoney Creek and saw more water containers than
I had seen at any
road crossing. Thanks to everyone for that. I’ve hiked this stretch three times before. I try to look at my surroundings
through first time eyes to see what my brothers and sisters are seeing, and I
can tell
you that it is beautiful!
Day 133 15.8 miles Home!
The woods were very still last night. No bugs chirping, no wind, no town noise,
the first that I can remember. I slept well. I started hiking before dawn. I
got to see my first TN sunrise. It is different than the rest.
Henry Joy, his wife Flora, my parents, and Sharon met me in a boat at Watauga
Dam where the AT crosses. I didn
’t recognize the boat at first, it was a rental. Henry’s boat had failed, but he still made the day
work. We had been planning this day before I started. Flora made some great soup
and sandwiches.
Becky’s Granny had made her family's famous sourdough bread. We anchored and sat in
the sun enjoying
the day. I loved it more than anyone.
I hiked the remaining 2.7mi to Hwy. 321 with my Mom. It was good to be here in
my woods. I rode to the house where Becky was waiting. I also saw her through
"first time" eyes. I spent the cold night in a warm bed.
