She

 Hello again! Here is the sixth post! We have finally made it out of the southwest Virginia highlands and are now in the Central Virginia region. May not sound like much but please keep in mind that one third of the distance from Damascus where we started to the end at Maine's Katahdin lies in Virginia! This latest leg found us hiking 17 miles on the first day thanks to my ability to get lost. We were out on this occasion a total of 9 days (which makes over 20 trail days total so far) and now back at smith mountain lake for a couple of zeros before heading back out on 4/16. Glad to report that all lost this time was another stocking hat and a backpack cover. More good news is no head bangs from privies but did scrap the noggin several times at the shelters and a bunkhouse hostel. Super glad to report that there were only two freezing days this round and that the weather has finally warmed up! Here is a photo on top of war spur lookout

At some point will post more later about the latest segment, with pictures and stories about some of the awesome people we met but for now going to report on progress toward meeting one of my main goals for doing the trek. That was to deepen my appreciation for Hawai`i, Ohana, and in particular the one and only, my taitai, Shui yu Betty Lee. No one cares of or cares for me as much as she. Am blessed.

Betty and I first met in April 1978 at the municipal Taipei airport. My former roommate during grad school days at Greeley Colorado, Chaiyutha Lertpachin, had arranged for her and others to show me around the Taiwan capital and country side. Chai had a few years earlier married Betty's roommate from her days at Tamsui's Christ College. There I stood outside the baggage claim area wearing the same sort of footwear and clothes wore to work in those days, open toe sandals and a cotton shirt patterned with elephants. Betty, being a sales representative and English interpreter for a Taiwanese plastics company was not impressed. We did however get along and when got back home started corresponding. That July she came to America on a three month business visa with a mission to try and drum up some North American business for her company. The firm already had a foothold in Australia and wanted to expand to other English language markets. Not long after she arrived in New York City I called and told her about a good friends wedding coming up on September 2 and invited to come on over to Honolulu for that event.

She arrived a few days before Guy and Lynn's ceremony. I met her at the gate for the 1 am arrival. She was smiling, happy and looked as gorgeous then as she does now.

Betty wearing red dress with flower print and white sash

Over the next several days we went to the wedding plus snorkeling,UH football, movies, and camping with the church group at Kualoa regional park. The campout took place during her last weekend in town. I had a plan to take her to the top of Mokoli`i (Chinaman's Hat) and propose.

The hat in the foreground with Kualoa park and Koolau range behind

We paddled out there and climbed to the top but I couldn't get the words out. Was worried she might get mad and push me off the cliff. That afternoon stopped at my brother's house. In this picture she is thinking something like "this bozo has about 12 hours to get it done or will be out of his life forever." I am thinking "gonna get down on my knees begging her please."

Am wearing the same elephant shirt as when first met Betty has on a lose fitting sleeveless dress and ginger lei

That evening we went to the lagoons at the Kahala Hilton. Time was running out as the next morning she was returning to the mainland to finish up her work and then back to Taiwan. Did get down on those knees and thankfully she knew what was coming so no begging necessary. Subsequent conversation settled the number of kids (3) and laid a plan for her to finish up the work she had to do and return to the islands by the end of September prior to  visa expiration.

The next two weeks waiting for her to come back were the longest of my life. As it turned out there was plenty to worry about whether she would return or not. Pressure to not go through with getting married came from all sides, family, business, and friends. Return she did though. By that time had figured out that if we did not get married while she was still in America chances were we would not get married at all. The arrangements fell on me. Even though there were only 8 people present it was still quite a bit of work! Brother John served as photographer and poem reader"soar deep into your love of life".

Right after the I do's

Sister in law Diana got the flowers and Parker UMC's Reverend Rhodes Martin said he would be thrilled to officiate. October 1, 1978 was world communion Sunday and he saw our union as the joining of east and west. Besides my brother John and Diana, only nephew Jeremiah, plus friends Ken, Clyde and Kay were there.

Family

Friends

I had told many others we would have a reception and party at a later date. That turned out to be true, just is such occurred in Taiwan and not Honolulu.

My mother in law once knew that the deed was done started sending daily multi page letters to Betty. They consisted of what and what nots. After she became convinced that her daughter would not get hapai soon and that the marriage was valid she slowed down on the letter writing and eventually stopped altogether. Mother Lee then started planning a ceremony to be held in Taiwan a year and a half later. It was a grand affair, with a 300 plus guest list. Due to a marital law decree cracking down on wedding parties just a few weeks prior dim sum was served during instead of after the hour long minute ceremony. Servers walked up and down the aisles passing and collecting trays of tea and snacks such as bbq pork buns, shrimp spring rolls, turnip cake, and egg custard tarts. While everyone was eating various people gave speeches with the two of us standing at the front of the stage. I did not understand a word. We exited the hall through a wall of firecrackers and smoke. A small banquet followed for a select few with the traditional dishes, and endless toasting. My cheeks hurt for days afterwards from all the smiling.

On way to military hall for ceremony in Taipei. Betty wearing traditional white with headdress and holding large bouquet of red roses and greenery.

Time moved on, we made a life with each other and for our three now adult children. Each have their own unique personalities, vocations, and gifts. I wouldn't trade them nor the past 36 years for the world. Many people have asked where does Betty stand on the going away for half a year bit. Some have made comments that indicate their disbelief she would allow such to occur. The truth is Betty has been very supportive. She really did forget that the hike was to be this long until a few months prior but once that was understood was okay. Did not ever expect her to be jumping up and down. After all, our marriage vows did not state that you are to be very happy when your husband decides decades from now to voluntarily leave you for 6 months to go spend a boatload of money ro walk in the woods with his brother. Originally had planned for her to come out around the half way point for a few days but due to circumstances that does not look like will happen. So, now it is 5 weeks since left home and we have been away from each other longer than have ever been.

The hardest part of hiking the Appalachian Trail is the mental toughness it takes to get through. There are physical challenges plenty and several have faced already such as muscle strains, bone spurs, freezing cold, rain, poison ivy, infections, hard climbs, and missed trail signs. Thanks to proper gear, and supplements such as garlinase (mahalo army buddy, top medic first class C Montoya) have got through listed ailments and think can deal with those yet to come. There is not a pill though that am aware of to make it easier to deal with being away from home this long. When planning the hike did not think 5 or 6 months would be a problem. When consider that this year is already 4 months old and that 4 months from now will be done or close to it makes me think what is the big deal. That line of reasoning however does not take into account when one wakes up in the middle of the night alone in a shelter with the full moon shining bright, or having no one to make some sort of herbal concoction to improve whatever is hurting, or a thousand other things.

View from the shelter with trees in foreground and what looks like a micro full moon

I miss Hawai`i, the children, our home, but most of all I miss my wife. The goal to deepen appreciation for her has been met a hundred times over already.

Am trying to figure out just what takes the greater mental toughness. Sticking it out so can be with my brother on this quest or possessing enough resiliency to go home and not regret missing out on the rest of this once in a lifetime hike and its moments of solitude, peace, and pure joy. If do leave early it will be due to the need that have to get back to the side of she to whom I belong. If continue on the next 4 or 5 months will be due to the fact that besides being stupid am confident that when get home to Betty she will be supportive of the choice I made. As one friend said 'she must be a saint." As far as I am concerned that such is true there is no doubt.

July, 1979 first visit out of state as a couple outside Mom's Missouri home

At northern Thailand elephant Conservatory 2011 - Betty bareback on an elephant getting ready to squirt water