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186 Miles Project

Tales from the Towpath

Friends and family know this, but some of you reading this and supporting this project may not be aware of the fact that in September of 2016 I went through quadruple bypass surgery after a mild cardiac incident. In light of this if I am going to walk the entire C&O Canal I need to train and get myself back into long distance hiking shape. Barring objections from my cardiologist I should be ready sooner than later. Despite losing our son just before thanksgiving I still seem to be doing good, physically at least, (the mental part is still open for debate though).

I thought it might be wise to document some of these training hikes and ramblings for my own healing process, mentally as well as physically. This may also possibly help others who may be going through similar unfortunate events. I am by nature a person that needs to be moving and doing things, this has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. This seems to be the easiest way for me to deal with my grief, confusion, and loss.

Some of these writings will be sad and depressing, I miss Arthur terribly, but for the most part I intend to honor Arthur’s memory by sticking to his wry and sarcastic sense of humor, creative story telling, and sense of wonder. This shouldn't be hard, because these are traits my son and I shared, often to excess, I might add.

You, reader, are welcome to come along with me if you choose, and read some of these “Tales From the Towpath”. There will be history, nature, pain and joy, but hopefully healing as well.

Trent Carbaugh

Christmas Morning Tea with Arthur 2020

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A dark, cold, and damp morning. As I was pulling into the parking area at McMahon’s Mill, I had the strange thought that I should see fishermen, bicyclists, and hikers standing around steel barrels with fires in them on strike and picketing the conditions. I often have strange passing ideas like  Read More

A Forest Interview

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(Yet Another Appalachian Allegory?) By a strange set of circumstances, that I refrain from going into here, I was contacted by the representative of a “person” to see if I would do an interview. I was given a list of rules, mostly come alone and in no way shape or form was I to bring a camera or  Read More

Some Thoughts

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Stars So here I sit, thinking too hard as is usual. I have the late Tom Petty playing through my headphones, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers has always been  happy music for me. Don’t know why, just is. Always makes me think of hot North Carolina nights. The sun just gone down behind the  Read More

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