the lean-to. It is a special place for us, because it is dedicated to a special friend Stephen B., tragically taken from us in a car accident in 1984. The lean-to was newly constructed then, and J- and I were eager to get up there and do some investigating. We had the site pretty much to ourselves, with only a few through-hikers on the Appalachian Trail passing. The night was uneventful, with only a few mice interrupting our restful sleep. The next morning, after breakfast, we signed the lean-to 'journal' (we both mentioned our special connection to the lean-to) and were on our way back down the mountain to the truck. We spent a short time on the shore of Flagstaff Lake, finding a funky piece of driftwood that we lugged home to Mom, and than we were back on the road home. Although short in duration, it was one of those special times in my life that I'll never forget. Dad and son together for a wilderness weekend.
Happy Birthday J-! Enjoy your day... I know you will.
Losing a friend is always difficult...way too young it seems. Have you been back to the lean-to?
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday wishes from Vermont, J.
ReplyDeleteAnother great adventure story from the annals of the Birdman!
ReplyDeleteRe your comment: Check out my response to you on Jack's blog.
le souvenir d'un ami...
ReplyDeleteyeah, that piece of driftwood.....it was quite.....let me see......LARGE!!
ReplyDeleteI ended up putting it in the garden, you know, as a backdrop to flowers...eventually, believe it or not, it rotted away.
Time marches on.
sigh
Happy Birthday, my Lil Bird. Mom loves you more than anything!!
This was nice. Time spent with your son. Priceless. A nice memorial to Stephen.
ReplyDeletehappy birthday to j! nice memories..
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday JJ
ReplyDeleteQuality time!
Happy Birthday J. Only the best have birthdays in July!
ReplyDeleteThat was a hike to remember.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great memory! Happy birthday to J.
ReplyDeleteAdventures like that make for great memories. Happy Birthday to J.
ReplyDeleteaww. that is sweet.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet memory. Thank-you. Happy Birthday Justin! Sending lots of love your way.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your day.
Such a meaningful hike in memory of a friend -- barbara
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful memory!
ReplyDeleteNice post Birdman!
ReplyDeleteBon anniversaire !
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday and beautiful memories!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely story and a great memory for you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice memory to share. Happy birthday to J! No doubt, it will be a wonderful celebration!
DeleteWonderful memories Birdman and beautifully expressed. Huge happy birthday to J.
ReplyDeleteBet it was a great time.
ReplyDelete