Share the Freedom, Share the Land

Freedom!  

Today I reflect; I reflect on the freedom and joy that has been my experience. Things have begun to form shapes, colors, meaning. I've found that reintegration has been easier than I first thought. As one could imagine, after 4+ months of living and learning in the wilderness, the initial thought of re-entering human society and habits seems scary. You build-up these preconceived notions in your consciousness - either with commentary from those that have bathed in a similar length experience, or in your own mind - and with this comes elements of fear. 

Fear of being buried in a daily schedule of rudimentary tasks; fear of the concrete trail; fear of unpure water sources; fear of disrespect; of cars; of travel not involving your dedicated physical energy; basically, fear of losing what has become the free you in the woods. 

Fortunately I'm happy to sit here and not be trembling with things that I could fear. In this, I've had the continual privilege to take my Freedom vest and head into the outdoors. Whether that be rock climbing with my good friend Jeremiah the bullfrog or heading out for a day hike (which is an odd feeling; "oh it's just a day hike; so easy!"); the freedom still exists in the vast spaces outside human habitation and occupation. Thank goodness for this! Furthermore, I recognize that where I am, here in western North Carolina, is one example of places where freedom rings loud and clear still. I say this because we know that spaces of freedom do not exist everywhere, and that sharing of land, or smiles with our brother and sister Americans is not always common - sadly.  

This brings me to reproduce a particular day that I've been meaning to share with those on this blog. I was listening to the song "Share the Land" by The Guess Who, and my spirit was alerted to the importance of what they were singing (please take a moment to follow the link below and read the lyrics as you listen):

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN (mobile users may have issues): 
                                                          

Have you been around?
Have you done your share of comin' down
On different things that people do?
Have you been aware?
You got brothers and sisters who care
About what's gonna happen to you
In a year from now

Maybe I'll be there to shake your hand
Maybe I'll be there to share the land
That they'll be givin' away
When we all live together, we're talkin' 'bout together, now

*repeat*

Did you pay your dues?
Did you read the news
This morning when the paper landed in your yard?
Do you know their names?
Can you play their games
Without losin' track
And coming down a bit too hard?

Maybe I'll be there to shake your hand
Maybe I'll be there to share the land
That they'll be givin' away
When we all live together, we're talkin' 'bout together, now

 *repeat 3 times*

(Shake your hand, share the land)
You know I'll be standing by to help you if you worry
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Now more sadness, no more sorrow, and no more bad times
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Everyday comin' sunshine, everyday everybody laughin'
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Walkin' together by the river, walkin' together and laughin'
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Everybody singin' together, everybody singin' and laughin'
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Good times, good times, everybody walkin' by the river now
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Walkin', singin', talkin', smilin', laughin' diggin' each other
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Everybody happy together, I'll be there to worry you if you need-a me
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Call on me, call on me, call my name, I'll be runnin' to help you
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Everybody walkin' by the river now, everyday everybody laughin'
(Shake your hand, share the land)
Everybody singin' and talkin', smilin', laughin', diggin' each other.

What has changed from when you first began to listen? Do these lyrics still hold true to a portrait of modern America? Will we take the time to recall the past, in order to interpret and/or modify our course for the future? 

Rhetorical questions they may be, but questions pertaining to if they are Freedom they are not. I can vividly remember listening to this song on that sunny day in Grayson Highlands; as the singer hit the final verses of the song I was overwhelmed with emotion. I realized that peace, acceptance, and freedom do not ring free and clear for all; that many people are absent-minded to that which we as Americans experience. 

Perhaps I've spent too much time outside. Perhaps I can't find enough beauty and love in Freedom; but, I do know I will not take my freedoms for granted. Not after I choose to remember what it means to be an American. 

So, to wherever you are - sitting, standing, using the bathroom, or driving in the car - recall a moment when you experienced freedom. What was alluring about that moment? Does it still remain in some form or another in your life? If not, perhaps it is time to reassess the amount of flex and exercise you're giving to your freedom. 

Like the sunshine, freedom may disappear as the day wears on, but come tomorrow it'll be back, and it'll be bright!! 

Love life, love your freedoms, Dig each other, and always try to better another with you in your journey towards positivity,

Alan 

atop pitch 4 of the Sundial Crack; ringing and rocking Freedom in Pisgah National Forest!

Jeremiah rappelling in the freedom vest; rings loud in the morning air

he may not be wearing the vest at this moment but this guy is FREE!

2,184.2 miles: COMPLETE

How do you begin to talk about something, to make sense of something that has so many intricate and moving parts; something that redefined what it means to be alive; something that has become all you've known for a length of time? 

I sit here, awake way past hiker midnight (aka, dark) and feel disinclined to sleep. Perhaps it is my mind, wide awake with the digital stimulation of this computer, the wired electric lights around me, and the lack of nature sounds in the background; or, maybe it was the drive from the wilderness back into Society. Along the highways and byways, in and around the towns where masses of people congregate. Am I still part of this society? If I am, why do I feel out of place?

Perhaps, it is too soon to understand something I only scantily immersed in for the sake of a shower, food, and resupply; and after satisfaction of that we answered the wilderness's beckon back into her immense body. Either way, the reintegration will be interesting, nonetheless. You could say I feel a bit overwhelmed, but I know this will pass. I also know, or I plan rather, to find my way back outside as soon as I recollect my bearings and position in life. 

I've been planning to reintegrate - this unavoidable thing - yet I find it consoling to know I can and will go back out and support other Southbounders still on the trail here in the South. Perhaps this will provide me with a space in which to relate to what has been my existence these last 4 months and 3 days.

This was the morning after, but it captured more what I was feeling about the finish...and less of the peaceful calm that was the afternoon before: October 17th. 

The FREEDOM Gang! Including Peta, whose trail name became Shelia the Australian Smiler (SAS); whom we adopted into our gang shortly after meeting her last week and loving her presence, her foreign spirit in our journey to the finish. 

Thank you once again, to all of you for your help, support, love, thoughts, packages, smiles, or simple words of encouragement. You are the reasons I, and the Freedom Gang, succeeded. So high-fives and smiles to you, too!

Oh, and what is with the Freedom regalia you may ask? Well, there is no better way to remind folks in this great nation, not to mention ourselves, that we live and walk in a free country. And, to celebrate that simply by donning a garment of Freedom, well, .... there AIN'T NOTHIN' FREER!

Stay loving in that Freedom all around us,
Alan



Shower and Laundry count to be tallied soon! 

The Freedom Gang!

1 day remains! We picked up our freedom flag vests at Neil's Gap, and are ready to finish strong and free!

Pictured below: Lorax, Rocketman, and Peg Leg.

Finishing tomorrow afternoon. Long live Freedom!

2,000 milers, say what?

Two days ago we crossed the 2,000 mile mark on Thunderhead Mountain. To celebrate we wrote the number 2,000 and word mile across our knuckles, not knowing how else to deal with this achievement. As I recall, banshee yells were yelped, as well. That eve we continued the celebration when Lorax (pictured below), created a delectable, non-baked rendition of backcountry cheese cake; yum!

Today as I sit atop Cheoah Bald at around 5,000 feet, staring at the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, 145.2 miles remain; and, less than that by the time we reach our shelter this eve.

So much to be thankful for! Though this experience will end soon, the mental and spiritual carriage will ride on; 'naaay' to that! :)

Sending positive thoughts and beautiful views from along the journey.

Great days to you all!
Alan

206 Miles & Counting

Greetings once again dear friends and family,

206 miles remain. I still struggle to clearly comprehend what has happened, and what continues to happen each day. Perhaps, I conflict to comprehend because, as I sit here and tap this post on my new smart phone - wirelessly connected to a world I have not exactly known recently - my body and mind crave rest, silence, and a reflective space to appreciate.

A few themes, however, have begun to bubble to the surface:

1) Contrast
2) Gratitude
3) Balance
4) Respect

It has been quite a holistic journey. In this, I eagerly await the finish of this finite experience with patience and appreciation for what has been, and for what will come.

Thank you to all of you for your love, support, and positive thoughts. I look forward to sharing more as the patient flower of reflective gratitude future blossoms.

Till then...

Good day, good eve, and a great 'morrow!

Alan