The Virginians

Carroll Valley, PA

 One night I camped beside the C&O Canal along with two gentlemen and a woman from central Virginia.  They were biking long days so they could finish the whole 350 miles from Pittsburgh to DC in just five days.  They were pumped but tired, clearly proud of themselves for keeping up their speed.  I made several attempts to engage them in conversation, but apparently all they could think about was their great achievements.  I turned in early and was gone from the campsite before they awoke in the morning.  I saw them in passing the next day and we exchanged pleasantries.

The next night I found myself camped next to the canal with four gentlemen and a woman from rural eastern Virginia.  They were among the rare hikers on a predominantly biking route.  It was their first day of a five day section hike.  They had just walked ten miles and they were exhausted, but easy conversation ensued.  I learned about their relationships with each other, their working lives, the geography of their homeland, and their love of life.  They heard about some of my own hiking and biking adventures and my love of life.  We sat around that picnic table long after the sun set sharing stories and a little bourbon.  I felt a real connection to these Virginians.  It was the perfect ending to a beautiful day on the trail.