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| Steven's Dad, John Hedley passed away. I won't get into the details but it was kind of sudden and it wasn't Covid but it was because of the situation of the pandemic. Our pal Steven has had a super bad pandemic. He and his partner of many yrs split and now this. Jonathan and I went on a hike with him to Mt Wittenberg one last time to spread his dad's ashes in a meaningful spot. Steven watched the Ken Burns civil war docuseries with his dad who loved the theme song Ashokan farewell. The summit overlooks the Ashokan reservoir and requires an 11 mile grueling hike to reach, followed by an 11 mile gruelling hike back. It is no small feat and is the hardest hike that we've ever done (2x for bartlett, 3x for me, 4x for steven) and the process of punishing ourselves is always somehow therapeutic and revelatory but this time around we had a purpose, and it made the trip that much sweeter and rewarding and it brings a tear to my eye when I see the photo of our dear boy standing, looking out across the Ashokan reservoir, thinking of his father. |
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| high quality cookin' meat from our farmer's market farm Stony Mountain farm |
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| Started raining, i think one of them was gonna bring a poncho for me but forgot so i had no respite from the rain, luckily it was sweaty and hot and tough going so it didnt' really matter |
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| When you reach this sign you think you are almost there but cruelly you've still got like another hour ahead of you. |
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| This is the photo. We hiked 11 miles, made a huge elevation gain, were dog tired, Ashokan Farewell was playing from his phone, he's saying something to his dad, and then he scatters his ashes as Bartlett and I stand behind him, not knowing what this feels like and only able to imagine. Thank you Steven for letting us be on this journey with you. RIP John Hedley. |
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| Dinner is served. SPAM and rice and alcohol of course |
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| sun sets beyond the Ashokan reservoir |
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| morning coffee in the small fire thing steven has |
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| last thoughts in the morning before we leave. Steven and all of us know this is the last time we will do this grueling hike and the last time he will be in this meaningful spot |
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| 11 miles down a mountain is arguably worse than going up. it punishes your knees and your spine. Back in civilization beer and bar food is heaven sent. |
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| we did a second night at this campsite |
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| using steven's cast iron pot to cook bread. They had their doubts but it worked! |
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| next up making stew |
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| sentimental talks by the fire. Lots of laughs too |
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| Phoenicia diner before we leave of course |
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