SUPERIOR HIKING TRAIL, SUMMER 2016

Call from Hospice, July

I am up north hiking once again, trying hard, as a party of one, to hike the complete Superior Hiking Trail, which is rated as one of the top ten hiking trails in the country. My plan is to finish the Superior Hiking Trail sometime this year. I rented a small cabin in the area for a few weeks in July and August, with trips back to Minneapolis to see Barry and teach some classes.

I hiked today about four hours, going two hours in from Cascade River State Park toward the Caribou Trail. As I hiked, I thought about the class I teach to adults who want to write and illustrate a picture book. It was a glorious day and this trail was a challenge. At one point, the trail ascended and I thought I would never get to the top. I really don’t mind going up; it’s the going down I don’t like on my 62-year- old knees. As usual along the way, I looked for edible mushrooms. Yesterday, I found some chanterelles that ended up sautéed and in my eggs.

In addition to hiking, I am writing a book about this journey Barry and I are on with FTD. But I have to admit that I am hiking more than writing at this point. Right now hiking and writing are the only plans I have as I wait to see what comes next.
hike
As I admired the gorgeous view from the trail, my phone rang. I was surprised to get a signal. I struggled to find my phone in my backpack, but by the time I did, the call went to voice mail. Whenever my phone rings, I worry that the call is about Barry. I could barely hear the message from the Hospice nurse. My heart stopped. Was Barry dead? I played it again.

But it was the same message as always: Barry was visited by the nurse. He was in bed and tried to talk. No change and to call if I had any questions. I was surprised by how panicky I felt when I could not clearly hear the message. I am waiting for the call that Barry has died. It’s a call I know is coming, but I still felt very nervous listening to the message.

I hadn’t really been thinking about Barry at all on this hike. But now as I looked down the huge cliff, guilt overcame me again as I imagined Barry back at the care center while I hiked on this beautiful day. In any event, I hiked on, going higher and longer as I tried to put that call behind me. But I couldn’t get it out of my mind, so I hiked down (painfully), drove back to the little rented cabin and got to work. If I am going to be away for a couple of weeks while Barry lies waiting in the care center, I better damn produce something. And that is exactly what I did on this beautiful July day.

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9 comments on “SUPERIOR HIKING TRAIL, SUMMER 2016
  1. Karen Bauer says:

    Bless your heart Nancy. So nice for you to be able to be hiking, but sad for you to always have that call in the back of your mind. If work helps, work on.

  2. Karolyn Lee says:

    I,too, am thinking of you! I am glad you have the trail to hike on.

  3. Moira B Rummel says:

    Hugs Nancy. I remember those days. So clearly the calls,heart in throat, then relief!
    Let go of the guilt if yo are able. Meditating on your hike will bless Barry as much as being there!

  4. Christine bekiares says:

    Your strength is an inspiration!

  5. I want to hike the Superior Hiking Trail. We were just in Mpls. Maybe will come up in the fall from AR and hike part of the trail. You’re doing great, in spite of it all, Nancy.

  6. Jean Spielman Housh says:

    Nancy, you are on a tough journey. Be good to yourself. You are doing the best thing for Barry by taking care of yourself. Feed your soul.

  7. Mary Wattson Kupper says:

    Such a guilt trip we are on. I moved to AZ, so I am not there for my mom who turned 90. We have to move her from Assisted Living to more of a nursing home environment. I don’t get to see her very often and it hurts me so much. I can’t leave my job and my husband to be with her, because we can’t afford it. So, Nancy, I feel your incredible pain. My mom is miserable and probably Barry is too, but we don’t really know their inner thoughts, and they have them and it is frustrating not to be able to get them. Part of me wants my mom to just pass away peacefully and soon but then I feel guilty feeling that way. I know a mom being 90 and a spouse being 60ish is quite different, but it hurts just the same. I never met Barry but you were an inspiration to me in high school and later during our kids’ skating years. Keep the faith as best you can and enjoy the beauty of the North Shore.

  8. Ann hustad says:

    Wow nancy,,, profound heartfelt thoughts, my friend. You are not alone,

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