[pct-l] RE: Amazing People

[dsaufley at sprynet.com (Donna Saufley)]

Thank you very much for your kind words.  

Some things go beyond the amazing into the miraculous.  What I find
miraculous is the fact that somewhere around 1500 hikers have stopped
through here over the years since this came into our lives, and there has
never been a situation we couldn't handle.  We've never had to ask someone
to leave, or ask them to stop doing something.  The truth is, we couldn't
do what we do if the hikers weren't the kind of people that they are. 
99.9% are absolutely outstandingly wonderful human beings, and we treasure
the opportunity to know and assist them, however briefly.  We can deal with
and tolerate the .01% that are something other than wonderful because they
are such a minority.

The Trail itself is miraculous.  That so many people volunteer to maintain
and preserve it, who love it and enjoy it with such passion that they give
of themselves to ensure its sanctity -- whether seeking funds on Capitol
Hill or sweating with back bent over and a Pulaski in hand  on some
desolate stretch of chaparral -- is incredible.  PCTA, trail gorillas, ADZ
organizers, Back Country Horsemen, hosts, cachers, and the hikers and
riders themselves -- the concept of the Trail has drawn so many wonderful
people together.  No one is forced to do this;  we are all drawn to it in
our own way.  I find it astonishing and reverently cherish the association
with this community of people, and am humbled by the dedication of many.

And lastly, but perhaps most importantly, the greatest miracle is the
performance of our septic tank -- 266 hikers through this season, and not
one backup.  Truly amazing. :o)

-=Donna Saufley=-

> [Original Message]
> From: Sharon & Chuck Chelin <chelin@teleport.com>
> To: <dsaufley@sprynet.com>; <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
> Date: 6/25/04 8:50:22 PM
> Subject: Amazing People
>
> Good evening, Donna,
>
> I was interested in your report of young Scrambler.  My view of her effort
> is similar to yours.  Her perseverance is laudable and unique, and I can
> only wish my own daughters would have had such dedication at that age.
> However, I reserve the term "amazing" for people who willingly and
> repeatedly share their life and their home with a rabble of hiker-trash
that
> is scruffy, odiferous, and eats like a plague of locusts.  You madam
Angle,
> and your husband, are amazing, the rest of us are merely interesting.
>
> Bless you.
>
> Steel-Eye
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: <dsaufley@sprynet.com>
> To: <montedodge@msn.com>; <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
> Sent: Friday, June 25, 2004 3:11 PM
> Subject: [pct-l] Lindy Watch
>
>
> > Monte,
> >
> > I don't know for certain, but when I was up in Kennedy Meadows a few
> weekends ago, hikers said Lindy got off the trail way down south.  He
didn't
> stop at our place, but then, I figured he was blasting through and all.  I
> was quite surprised to hear the news.  May or may not be true.
> >
> > As for Scrambler, (Mary), the 10 year old out with her mom and dad, she
> was doing fantastic at mile 464, and the word was she was continuing to
> doing great north of Kennedy Meadows.  This little girl is a
> dyed-in-the-wool thru hiker.  She's been on long-distance outings since
she
> was a baby, and did Section I with a pack when she was six.  She's
completed
> the Tahoe Rim Trail (twice), and can converse with you on pack weights or
> trail conditions like she was 25.
> >
> > I have never met such an amazing child -- I'm certain there was an adult
> in that little body.  And not just any adult, but a thru-hiker -- the best
> kind.   Scrambler had some 20s under her belt already, and her mother
> admitted that they were fast approaching the point where her parents
weren't
> going to be able to keep up with her (a big concern for them).
> >
> > Interestingly, the impression I got wasn't that they were doing the
trail
> so Mary would be the youngest ever (although I believe she will be), but
> because they feared that they as parents were getting older and wouldn't
be
> able to do it with her.  It was quite touching, really.  Everyone should
> have parents like this.
> >
> > As long as I live, I will never forget my impressions of Mary.  I
believe
> she is unique in this world, and I feel lucky to have met her and to call
> her my friend.
> >
> > -=Donna Saufley=-
> >
> >
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