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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

Two Years

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I wish I could tell you that grief and loss get easier over time, but it doesn't. In many respects for me, it is worse than it was. I have more time to think, and the more I think the more often that confused and angry state of mind takes over. It goes away over time and is replaced with just a  Read More

Arthur and Archeology

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  I was doing a presentation at the Conococheague Institute Incorporated, a historic site in Welsh Run Pennsylvania. At this event Arthur and I met Scott Parker from Little Antietam Creek Inc. a non-profit organization that teaches archeology and historic preservation as well as giving  Read More

Vampire Socks

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Allegany County Maryland section of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park Mile Marker 184.5 (Cumberland MD) to Mile Marker 135.90 (Pearre MD) “Vampire Socks”- A pair of very warm socks, usually made of wool that are kept in the bottom of a sleeping bag. These socks are worn  Read More

Zeus and the Sock Monkey (Emergency sub-species)

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There have been some questions by you readers of these words of mine about the prevalence of sock monkeys in photographs and on or about our persons when we are out and about. This is one of those Arthur-humor things that got out of hand for many years and became a part of our life  Read More

The George, Rest in Peace

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The George was my friend; George was an orange and white cat. George came to Cats Crossing Sanctuary with an older large orange tabby cat named Big George (George’s actual name was Mini-George). They were very closely bonded having been together alone with each other for years. Not long after the  Read More

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