In particular, I remember developing massive open blisters on my feet after the first day, and a raging case of dysentary the day after that. I also recall clouds of bloodthirsty mosquitoes and Uncle Roger constantly chawing away at a massive cabbage.

A more pleasant memory is a rainy day Paul and I spent together building and maintaining a huge fire. We stripped the local environs of all available fuel and kept the thing going for hours in blazing defiance of a constant drizzle. We also found some natural hot springs to soak in and got to ford several impressive rivers.

When I finally reached the trail's end my mother was waiting with news that while I was gone, Tammy, the confused basset hound I had grown up with, was dead of old age.