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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

X-pot Review: Useful Information

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Useful Information Part of remembering Arthur is to encourage you, oh fellow travelers on the twisting road of life, to get out and spend some quality time in nature. There are many ways to do this, you can hike, bike, paddle, watch birds, or just lie on your belly in the grass and watch some  Read More

The Toads – Another Appalachian Animal Allegory

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(A note to readers: Arthur and I would often tell stories to each other, or more commonly make up stories together. Most of the time these tales were absurd and silly and reflected the excessive amount of imagination and curiosity that he and I shared. Other times I used them as fatherly lessons in  Read More

Small Things and Large Things

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I often write about what I am thinking when I’m out walking or riding. Being alone in a grand place allows me to contemplate the things that have influenced my thinking throughout my life. This process helps me to try to sort out the loss of Arthur and try to understand what was going on in his mind  Read More

America’s Wonderlands

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When I was very young... When I was very young, five or six years old, not sure of exactly when, my grandmother gave me a book. This book was called Americas Wonderlands and was put out by National Geographic. I’d give you the publishing information but this book has been loved hard for many, many  Read More

The Rescue of Her Royal Highness, Princess Yellowspot Longtail Salamanicus

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(Or Another Appalachian Animal Allegory) It was a dark and stormy day, well stormy anyway, but quite warm for December. After a rainy afternoon of wandering about in the forest looking for things to photograph, dodging excitable whitetails, and enduring the malicious behavior of those reprobate  Read More

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