At The End Of It All

A Conversation

“That’s the end up there.”

“What?”

“That’s the end.”

“Of the leg?”

“No, of the whole trail.”

“Where?”

Allen pointed off in the distance to where the dirt trail T'd off into a road. “There.”

“That’s it?” Daniel stopped.

“Yep. My buddy will meet us in the parking lot a half mile north with the car.”

“How is that the end?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I figured after almost a thousand miles of hiking the finish line would be more… I don’t know. Glorious.”

“I think there’s a trail maker.”

“Oh, good. A marker.”

“What did you expect?

“I don’t know.” Daniel racked his brain. “Like the trail spiraling up a mountain and finishing with a grand view, or a big rock with a plaque or something!”

“Hmm.”

“What’s beyond the road?”

“Uhh, I think private property.” Allen pulled out his map and scanned it. “Yeah, it’s all houses past here.”

Daniel adjusted his pack and rubbed his forehead. “So, that’s it?”

Allen pulled out his water bottle and took a swig. “Yeah, man. I’m beat. It’s been fun though.” 

“How are you so cavalier about this?”

“About what?”

“About the ending! We just spent a month and a half hiking and camping through sunburn and pouring rain, eating gallons of soggy trail mix, to end up at some county road in the middle of nowhere!”

“Well, we’re not in the middle of nowhere. We’re at the end of the trail. That’s somewhere.”

“So, I’m just gonna hop in that car, go home and unpack and go to work on Monday?”

“I would recommend a shower too, but yeah. That’s it.”

“Why are you not underwhelmed?”

“Cause I had a kick ass time. Did you not?”

“Yeah, I did… I just… fuck, man.” Daniel dropped his pack and sat down on a rock.

“Come on, we’re almost there.”

Daniel sat silently. Allen loosened his straps and plopped down next to him, resting the bottom of the pack on the rock behind him.. 

Allen stared off into the distance, admiring the way a vine tucked its way between branches. “We did it, right?”

Daniel didn’t answer.

“I mean we finished it. One of the hardest hikes in the country. People spend their whole lives training for this. Thousands of feet of elevation gain, miles on miles of rough terrain. It’s a hell of an accomplishment. That’s the important part.”

“Yeah, I know. I mean… I don’t know. I just wanted there to be something to show for it. I don’t need an award or whatever, but something to…” He faded out. “You know… I just thought it would be a bigger deal.”

“It is a big deal! When you talk about this whole thing, no one is going to ask if there were ring girls at the end that popped Champagne. They are going to ask how the hike was. That’s the important part.”

Daniel kicked his toe at some rocks.

“I know this is some classic journey versus the destination shit, but it’s real.” Allen took a beat. “Come on.” He slapped Daniel’s boot and pushed himself up. “We’ll get some beers on the way home. Celebrate.”

Daniel tossed his head side to side and finally stood up. He let out a sigh. “Alright.”

They re-donned their packs and finished the last hundred meters to the road. As the dirt gave way to asphalt, Daniel glanced back at the edge of the trail. On the corner sat a small pillar with the trail’s logo embossed on it and below it said Start/End. He tightened his lips and nodded.