mountains of love.

it was a very rainy and grey day on the Long Trail of Vermont. I had been hiking all day without seeing another soul. As I veered off the main trail down (0.3 miles) to a shelter--soaking wet, I realized how dismal my prospects would be in seeing other hikers that night. Well, the trail provided and I was not only greeted by one hiker, but three! One of those hikers was a tall, rain suit-clad, seasoned hiker named "Blackfoot." At first, I was too busy drying out my gear and making dinner to chat much with him but after a bit of time, we came to realize we had a lot in common! Not only did we both hike the 2,181 mile Appalachian Trail (in the same year!), but we also currently lived in the same town--Brattleboro, Vermont. I was baffled at the fact that we had not crossed paths before this time. "Blackfoot"--later to be known as Josh, and I talked a little while longer before the sun fell and it was time for sleep. The next morning as I continued my walk north on the Long Trail towards Canada, a flash of brisk, sprite energy passed me by with a tiny pack on his back and a smile on his face. Little did I know at that point, was that I would be driving this endurance-enthused, kind soul to the point of which I was hiking towards about 2 months later. Over the course of the next several months, there were many runs, hikes and chats over falafel before our deep bond came to fruition in the form of love, trust, respect and commitment.