Could You Do This?

I had barely finished reading a travel book about a man who bicycled all over Vietnam when a young woman in our church told us about her husband and son who had just finished hiking 1,400 miles of the Appalachian Trail. I was intrigued, to say the least because this “man in nature” adventure roused my active imagination.
I asked her to tell something of their trip, and here is her account, straight from the mouths of those who braved the elements. It makes me want to rush out and buy hiking boots and a walking stick.
A Father and Son Journey
By Maria Randle
On Aug. 3, Todd Randle, 45, and son Boe Randle, 20, of Lower Township set out of Wawayanda State Park. Their goal was to walk the Appalachian Trail almost 1,400 miles to its southern end in Springer Mountain, Ga. Carrying a 35-pound backpack in the midst of the 100-degree heat wave made the beginning especially challenging.
Todd admits to thinking it was going to be a lot easier in those first few weeks. Heat rash, water rationing, the physical exertion required, and the extreme temperatures made it uncomfortable and exhausting. Reaching a new state was always a great feeling; however every accomplishment came with a new set of challenges.
Their feet will never be the same after dealing with miles of walking on Pennsylvania’s rocky terrain. They mostly slept in shelters which are simply a three-sided, roofed room along the trail. However, they had some nights in their tents when shelters were not available, and on magical nights they cowboyed, sleeping under the stars. They mostly ate granola, peanut butter, and dried food. At least once a week the path will go near a small town where they can resupply food and sometimes get the luxury of a shower, bed, and laundry, in a hiker’s hostel.
Some of Boe’s most memorable hiking was the Shenandoah Valley with its breathtaking views. This is where they first encountered some of the greater wildlife. Boe tells a story of a brown bear who heard a car go down a nearby road and was visibly upset by this. It ran away to the middle of the trail only 10 feet in front of him.
When the bear saw Boe standing in front of him, the bear looked at Boe, sat down and put his paws over his ears. I think Boe was more concerned for the bear than he was afraid of it. Boe also watched his dad barely miss stepping on a copperhead.
Todd’s favorite views came in the Smokies in Tennessee, where one overlook after another gives unbelievable, indescribable beauty.
Aside from the amazing landscape, the guys were happily surprised about the social aspect of the hike. As southbounders, they would pass northbounders. At such encounters, they would almost always stop and sit on a rock and converse about the trail ahead and the next clean water source. At night you would meet up at the shelter with other hikers, make a fire and chat. They met Ivy Leaguers, female, male, young, old, rich, and poor. Everyone is an equal on the hike.
After beginning the journey in a difficult heat wave, they got to finish on the other side of the spectrum, spending some nights on the top of mountains in 30-degree, windy conditions. Almost 1,400 miles and 80 days later, they accomplished their goal, making it to Springer Mountain, Ga.
The pain and sacrifice were totally worth the experience, sights, and sense of accomplishment. One thing is for sure, they will never be the same. This humbling experience has given them a deeper appreciation for God’s blessings. They don’t take their loved ones for granted. They know the difference between what you want and what you need. They are more aware of waste. They even joke about something you and I would consider a necessity, agreeing that a toilet is the biggest waste of fresh water!