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It's Not About the Hike
How did all this start? We met by chance. We took a few lunch-time strolls which quickly developed into power-walking up Keene's major hills. We decided to push ourselves and hike Katahdin in Maine. And we figured to get in shape for that, we had better hike a few mountains in the Whites. With overflowing enthusiasm, hiking a few Whites morphed into the goal of hiking the 67 4,000 footers in New England.
Why are we doing this? What becomes clearer and clearer to us as we hike is...it's not about the hike. It's about the friendship that grows between us as we climb, it's about absorbing the natural splendor and incredible beauty around us as we slog up and clamber down, it's about facing the wrath of the weather - the heat, rain, thunderstorms, snow, ice and freezing temps. It's about our attitudes on the steep slides, the places where footholds and handholds are nonexistent, the straight up or straight down chimneys, the dark nights when they come too early, and the times our knees start talking to us and we are so tired. It's about the rewards of sunny bliss moments on the summits and hot coffee and a feast at the end of a long day of hiking. It's about being open to whatever comes up as we put one foot in front of the other - often pee-producing laughter and joy, but also tears, frustration, and fear. We are healing up there. We have strong bodies, indomitable spirits and courageous hearts. We can do this! We celebrate each and every peak we bag!
How can you be a part of the excitement? We are on a big adventure and we invite you to come along. You can either join us on a hike -- we love our special guests; just give one of us a call or send an email! Or you can vicariously join us by reading our hike reports and checking out our pictures and let us know what you think! You can contact Pat or Nancy via email. Thank you for your encouragement and appreciation of our journey.
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