the parade is in full swing.
27 people finished during day 8,
and 16 more joined them during the first 12 hours of day 9.
.
32 runners are still out there on the course,
striving to answer the call of the rock.
.
and at the rock,
this is an exhausting time
but so rewarding.
.
the innocent faces on the ferry
have been replaced by the glowing faces
of people who have done things they never dreamed they could do.
.
we have a scattering of battered throwns
that have been occupied most of the last two days.
we have noticed a pattern from the incoming runners.
spend a few moments on the rock alone
absorbing what they just accomplished.
select a rickety thrown and drop their pack.
then carefully unlace and remove their shoes.
.
sometimes there is another little period when they are far away.
their eyes looking into the distance
as the enormity of it all sinks in.
.
then the stories begin.
funny stories,
touching stories,
amazing stories…
.
the others who arrived just before
or just after
were total strangers when they got on the bus.
but after passing and being passed
pairing up for hours (or even days)
then splitting up when one or the other needs to move on
sleeping on concrete
blistering in the sun
and getting hammered by thunderstorms
sharing tears
and laughter
and tears of laughter
they have forged a bond as strong as steel.
they share in the telling of stories
they laugh at private jokes.
they finish each others’ sentences…
.
some of these friendships will last for a lifetime.
what they have shared
normal people could not imagine enduring,
much less seeking out.
.
but these are the ones who want an adventure larger than life
and are willing to accept the punishment it demands
to endure the uncertainty.
to face their fears.
.
they have gone into bottomless pits of despair
and emerged to reach the summits of joy.
they have followed the call if the rock
from a whisper until it became a roar.
.
and they have reached the place
from which there is nowhere else to go.
.
we feel unworthy to share these moments….
.
but someone has to keep the time.
.
.
back in the back
we are seeing the groundwork laid for a final desperate day.
.
james barry is two miles behind oprah in pelham.
we havent seen a lot of drama from james,
but he has been fighting oprah for a long time.
erin dupey has cut a mile off oprah’s lead
and has left pelham,
headed for the monteagle climb.
a mile ahead of erin,
terrie has started up monteagle.
this is one of the big challenges remaining in terrie’s race.
if she knocks off this one
she will only earn the chance to face the next.
.
and so the 9th night goes on.
for those left in the 2025 vol state
time is running short.
Categories: Vols2025