Today I dropped off the last of my thru-hiking family, BooBoo (a.k.a. "Momma Bear"), at Reagan National. I was horribly saddened to see her depart. We drove in circles around Alexandria and the District, as I did not wish to return to my office any sooner than was absolutely necessary.
I despise saying farewell to my few remaining friends. I was in a funk the remainder of the workday.
During our lengthy car ride from my office to the terminal we discussed D-Wreck, her recently-acquired manfriend. I expressed my congratulations for her new-found flame. It's been so long since any of Ground&Pound or the Dancing Bears (yes, all hikers have Jolly Pirate nicknames) have been part of a pair. It made me immensely pleased that at least one of us had found somebody worthy.
Before we parted ways, BooBoo informed me that D-Wreck is going to be completing the end of his 6-month hike this December. Momma Bear plans to hike the last week or so with him. This means she'll be crashing at my place between her flight from Seattle, and her car ride South. Again, this pleases me.
My friends are rockstars. They are my family.
So, with a sad heart, I thought of how many days it would be, until I saw one of my crew again. I portioned those days in to hours. Too fuckin' many.
When I arrived back at the office, I was met with several pieces of heart-lifting news.
First, I found out I'll have the opportunity to go back to school to earn my MAIS in Interdisciplinary Studies in Conflict Resolution & Analysis and Intercultural Communications. It's a lot of fucking words, and if given enough time, I think I can fig're out what most of 'em mean.
Second, BooBoo E-mailed me from the airport. It was a list compiled by a former PCT hiker, concerning "Friends" versus "Backpacker Friends". My favorites included:
FRIENDS: Will say 'hello'.
BACKPACKER FRIENDS: Will give you a big hug & a kiss.
FRIENDS: Will visit you in jail
BACKPACKER FRIENDS: Will spend the night in jail with you, since they were probably arrested at the saloon fight with you.
FRIENDS: Know a few things about you.
BACKPACKER FRIENDS: Could write a book with direct quotes from you.
There is a sickening amount of truth behind these - and many other - comparisons BooBoo listed.
Finally... the flirting is coming to an end.
The amazingly adorable woman at my office and I have been flirtatious for the past three months. Tonight was our second date this week. Go-Go Drunken Irishman.
This almost makes up for me losing my hiking family to their real lives and their shitty jobs.
I despise saying farewell to my few remaining friends. I was in a funk the remainder of the workday.
During our lengthy car ride from my office to the terminal we discussed D-Wreck, her recently-acquired manfriend. I expressed my congratulations for her new-found flame. It's been so long since any of Ground&Pound or the Dancing Bears (yes, all hikers have Jolly Pirate nicknames) have been part of a pair. It made me immensely pleased that at least one of us had found somebody worthy.
Before we parted ways, BooBoo informed me that D-Wreck is going to be completing the end of his 6-month hike this December. Momma Bear plans to hike the last week or so with him. This means she'll be crashing at my place between her flight from Seattle, and her car ride South. Again, this pleases me.
My friends are rockstars. They are my family.
So, with a sad heart, I thought of how many days it would be, until I saw one of my crew again. I portioned those days in to hours. Too fuckin' many.
When I arrived back at the office, I was met with several pieces of heart-lifting news.
First, I found out I'll have the opportunity to go back to school to earn my MAIS in Interdisciplinary Studies in Conflict Resolution & Analysis and Intercultural Communications. It's a lot of fucking words, and if given enough time, I think I can fig're out what most of 'em mean.
Second, BooBoo E-mailed me from the airport. It was a list compiled by a former PCT hiker, concerning "Friends" versus "Backpacker Friends". My favorites included:
FRIENDS: Will say 'hello'.
BACKPACKER FRIENDS: Will give you a big hug & a kiss.
FRIENDS: Will visit you in jail
BACKPACKER FRIENDS: Will spend the night in jail with you, since they were probably arrested at the saloon fight with you.
FRIENDS: Know a few things about you.
BACKPACKER FRIENDS: Could write a book with direct quotes from you.
There is a sickening amount of truth behind these - and many other - comparisons BooBoo listed.
Finally... the flirting is coming to an end.
The amazingly adorable woman at my office and I have been flirtatious for the past three months. Tonight was our second date this week. Go-Go Drunken Irishman.
This almost makes up for me losing my hiking family to their real lives and their shitty jobs.