Hey Jonathan, great to finally hear the details of your "medical adventure." As a kindred prostate cancer patient, I'm so happy you're on the mend and looking forward to nothing less than a healthy, active future. Like any happy love story ending, there IS, "life after prostate." ;)
Jonathan, I am glad to hear that your surgery went well. Once again, I am impressed by your focus to complete the trail and not let anything stand in your way. I was on a portion of the MST yesterday hiking at Grandfather Mountain and thought about you as soon as I saw the first white blaze. I look forward to reading about your return to the trail. Wishing you a speedy and smooth recovery.
Thanks Mike. I am curious—did you hike towards Blowing Rock or towards Linville Falls? Re my focus, I just hope I am not delusional! All that blood going to my head!
My intention was to hike a loop by parking at the Boone Fork Parking area of the BRP and taking the Tanawha Trail (which runs jointly with the MST around the base of Grandfather Mtn.) to the Nuwati trail. That would link me to Cragway and then Daniel Boone Scout Trail, and back to Tanawha. So when I say a portion of the MST, I mean a very tiny amount. But, It was enough to remind me of your ongoing journey. I had my dog, Winston with me and we ran into a challenge on Cragway that would be impossible without opposing thumbs. Winston's 120 lbs. so carrying him up and over this challenge was out of the question. We had to turn back and come up Daniel Boone Scout Trail instead. This did mean that I traversed that tiny section of the MST three times, maybe that counts for something. So to answer your question directly I hiked towards both!
I assume your looking for a trail report for that section of the MST. I wish I could offer you that knowledge but I only glimpsed about 1/2 mile of the MST. I can say that the trails I hiked are in good shape.
Thank you for sharing, Jonathan! I’ve been busy not being home much wrapped up in helping manage elder care for my parents in PA that I’ve not paid attention to my neighbors! You’ve been faithful walking Rosie, so everything appears normal. We all have stories and I’m so glad your story continues! 💕
Hi Jonathan, I wander in and out of your missive like it is a trail with lots of stops and starts but I’m sure that is unlike your hiking which is well planned and smooth, apart from downed trees, spiders, and a slight detour through oncology at Duke. Karen keeps me up on your recovery and I am happy to read about what happened before your recovery in all its humorous and tongue in cheek glory. Thank goodness for removal of those catheters. I remember it well, though differently, I’m sure. I hope your recovery continues without any problems until you no longer depend on Depends. (Sorry for that). 🤗
Jonathan, glad to hear your surgery went so well. I wish you all the best for your quick recovery. You've been a really good sport about all this. Happy trails to you,
Thanks, Jill. Re “being a good sport,” I must say, my options were fairly limited! I think the only thing I could do was “suck it up” and get on with it. Still, it will be a sense of accomplishment to get back on the trail this fall
Segment 4 looking better and better. You’ll have to wade the North Fork of the Catawba, but the rest of the trail should be fine. Look forward to running into you on the trail.
Love reading about your journey Jonathan. Can't wait to see you back at Burn. And I can't wait to hear the rest of your plans to finish the MST and your experiences as you do finish. 2025 will be the year you reach the end of MST and no doubt start planning a your next adventure.
Ginger, always good to hear from you. I’ll be back at Burn before you know it. (Not sure about burpies or push-ups but who knows!) we’ll start planning oir strategy for Segment Four. I hear the trail is slowly but surely opening! See you soon!
Hey Jonathan, great to finally hear the details of your "medical adventure." As a kindred prostate cancer patient, I'm so happy you're on the mend and looking forward to nothing less than a healthy, active future. Like any happy love story ending, there IS, "life after prostate." ;)
I am curious as to your own adventures! Do keep us informed as to your kayak Journey!
Jonathan, I am glad to hear that your surgery went well. Once again, I am impressed by your focus to complete the trail and not let anything stand in your way. I was on a portion of the MST yesterday hiking at Grandfather Mountain and thought about you as soon as I saw the first white blaze. I look forward to reading about your return to the trail. Wishing you a speedy and smooth recovery.
Thanks Mike. I am curious—did you hike towards Blowing Rock or towards Linville Falls? Re my focus, I just hope I am not delusional! All that blood going to my head!
My intention was to hike a loop by parking at the Boone Fork Parking area of the BRP and taking the Tanawha Trail (which runs jointly with the MST around the base of Grandfather Mtn.) to the Nuwati trail. That would link me to Cragway and then Daniel Boone Scout Trail, and back to Tanawha. So when I say a portion of the MST, I mean a very tiny amount. But, It was enough to remind me of your ongoing journey. I had my dog, Winston with me and we ran into a challenge on Cragway that would be impossible without opposing thumbs. Winston's 120 lbs. so carrying him up and over this challenge was out of the question. We had to turn back and come up Daniel Boone Scout Trail instead. This did mean that I traversed that tiny section of the MST three times, maybe that counts for something. So to answer your question directly I hiked towards both!
I assume your looking for a trail report for that section of the MST. I wish I could offer you that knowledge but I only glimpsed about 1/2 mile of the MST. I can say that the trails I hiked are in good shape.
Thank you for sharing, Jonathan! I’ve been busy not being home much wrapped up in helping manage elder care for my parents in PA that I’ve not paid attention to my neighbors! You’ve been faithful walking Rosie, so everything appears normal. We all have stories and I’m so glad your story continues! 💕
Thanks, Irene! Your story of caring for your aging parents has to be the hard. Hang in there.
Hi Jonathan, I wander in and out of your missive like it is a trail with lots of stops and starts but I’m sure that is unlike your hiking which is well planned and smooth, apart from downed trees, spiders, and a slight detour through oncology at Duke. Karen keeps me up on your recovery and I am happy to read about what happened before your recovery in all its humorous and tongue in cheek glory. Thank goodness for removal of those catheters. I remember it well, though differently, I’m sure. I hope your recovery continues without any problems until you no longer depend on Depends. (Sorry for that). 🤗
Thanks, Julia! Getting old really is the ultimate adventure!
That is a very positive reframing of the experience!
Jonathan, I’m happy that the surgery worked and that you will have a chance to resume hiking!
Thanks, Jane! I hope I am not fooling myself. I guess I’ll see soon enough. The story continues…
Jonathan, glad to hear your surgery went so well. I wish you all the best for your quick recovery. You've been a really good sport about all this. Happy trails to you,
Jill M.
Thanks, Jill. Re “being a good sport,” I must say, my options were fairly limited! I think the only thing I could do was “suck it up” and get on with it. Still, it will be a sense of accomplishment to get back on the trail this fall
Segment 4 looking better and better. You’ll have to wade the North Fork of the Catawba, but the rest of the trail should be fine. Look forward to running into you on the trail.
This sounds great! I look forward to seeing you out there. I’ll be the one in the REI issued Depends (can handle temperatures below 30 degrees). Ha!
Love reading about your journey Jonathan. Can't wait to see you back at Burn. And I can't wait to hear the rest of your plans to finish the MST and your experiences as you do finish. 2025 will be the year you reach the end of MST and no doubt start planning a your next adventure.
Ginger, always good to hear from you. I’ll be back at Burn before you know it. (Not sure about burpies or push-ups but who knows!) we’ll start planning oir strategy for Segment Four. I hear the trail is slowly but surely opening! See you soon!
You continue to be the Camino Beast aka the "beast" whether you are hiking the Camino, the MST, or fighting cancer. Keep charging my dear BIL. Love, M
Speedy recovery, Jonathan! The trails are calling and Burn friends need you. Sending hugs and best wishes!