The Stuff of Vocation

Called Again: Love and Triumph 

on the Appalachian Trail

In 2011, Jennifer Pharr Davis became the overall record holder on the Appalachian Trail. By hiking 2,181 miles in 46 days – an average of 47 miles per day – she became the first female to ever set that mark. But this is not a book about records or numbers, this is a book about endurance and faith, and most of all love. (from www.blueridgehiking.com)  

Crossing Deleware Water Gap---NYTimes Photo

 I admire and respect Jennifer Pharr-Davis because she heard the call of the Trail and time and agin stepped past her fear to the ever increasing life that beckoned her. it started as a seed and became her mustard seed, so that she founded the Blue Ridge Hiking Company in Asheville, NC with this mission statement:

“Making the wilderness accessible and enjoyable through written and spoken word, instruction and guiding.” 

 

 I always hold my breath as people go from their passion and joy, such as Jen’s first Thru-Hike in 2005, to turning it into an accomplishment.  She has struggled along the trail in that first hike to be known for herself, for the beauty she felt inside her; then suddenly, the Trail became the equivalent of a Nasscar Speed Race complete with obstacles and pit crews.  In fact, the 46 Days book is so shallow that just about any entry could be interchanged. I just could not appreciate the constant comments about "being married to a beast" and comparisons of her anatomy to the flat terrain. Her husband’s book greatly detracts from what Jennifer is about. I fear they do not get that by publishing it.  So I look with anticipation for HER next book,  Called Again:  Love and Triumph on the Appalachia Trail,  and the depth of personal reflections I found in Becoming Odyssa. 

It is a remarkable journey that Jen gives us...showing how she made the Trail a part of her soul and how she matured as she engaged it.  Who would have known that the very young 21 year old would go from fear of sleeping in a tent by herself to taking us beyond our fears to the Trail to which God beckons us. 

The last word is Jennifer's--she said that she did each and every hike because that's where her heart is. That's the stuff of vocation.