catch a falling star and put it in your pocket

Even with all the new, incredible experiences of the trail, I think my two favorite moments thus far were the hug that Dave gave me when he picked me up from the trail and the one Matt gave me when I found him in Manchester Center. They were hugs that, when words fail to describe your happiness at seeing a grinning, familiar face again, could convey that very happiness.

I had felt lucky, which is why I even attempted to find Matt in the first place. All I had to go on was that his blog said he'd be there on 7/12, but it's so hard to predict your days on the trail. It was one of those glorious, sunny days after last night's rainstorm, and we had driven an hour into Vermont, marveling at the Green Mountains which rose up on either side of the road. But when we arrived, I was disappointed because the post office clerk said Matt had already picked up his mail first thing in the morning. I looked at my watch: It was past one. I really didn't believe Matt would hang around town THAT long. I was bewildered: I was so SURE.

So we went to the bookstore and the outfitters and took care of some errands, and I tried to convince myself that this trip wasn't all for naught, and besides the chances were slim so I shouldn't have been disappointed anyway. I'm not sure it worked, but that was the way it was. As we were driving out of town, Breadless suddenly says, "Stop the car! I see Matt!"

"You do?!? Are you sure?"

Dave swung into the next parking lot, and we jumped out and headed back down the road. "I saw a hiker with a dog," Breadless says with certainty.

"Tall, black hair, brown dog?" I grilled Breadless as I tried to stop myself from running. And then I rounded the corner of the building and saw Matt myself. I had this moment of uncertainty, not having seen him in three years. It wasn't exactly about what he looked like, but a hesitation because in three years, what if he's not the same? What if I'm not the same? You always wonder, right? I hadn't even heard his voice in three years; we'd just written.

But then he looked up, and the surprise and happiness on Matt's face instantly banished those hesitations. I don't think he ever finished his conversation with the people he was talking to. And there was Uwharrie who I'd never met, just heard about and seen pictures of. We walked around town, grabbed a late lunch, and then gave Matt a ride back to the trail. To see him loping off, hair wild, and Uwharrie with her saddlebags and the possibility of seeing him further down the road, I couldn't have asked for a better day!