Beyond the Blog Day 8 (May 5): Rutherford Gives The Love Back

When doing a long event like this (a hike, a cross country bike ride…), days that are full of emotional and physical challenges are almost always followed by days of recovery and optimism.  As water-logged and exhausted as I was the day before, the next day proved to be an elixir of rejuvenation, because I had good people supporting me and a wonderful place to ruck.   I also had very few expectations because I did not know the area and didn’t know what lay ahead.

Our day started out with meeting officers from both Rutherford County and Rutherfordton.  They had really embraced our cause, thanks to Stephanie’s outreach.   They were hugely supportive, and this was a good opportunity for them for positive community outreach.   We’d have less misunderstandings if folks got more comfortable around law enforcement, and saw all of the other things they do beyond arresting people, which is undoubtedly the worst part of their job.  It was also very timely to have Joe there, since he is a professor of criminal justice and working with police is a huge part of his job, after teaching.  These officers were so involved in their community they knew all the names of the homeless folks who hang out on the greenway (more on that, later).   Anyway, it was a great start to the morning, and I set off down the Thermal Belt Rail Trail to meet the crew a few miles down the road.  

The Rail Trail is a 13 mile undiscovered treasure, winding through Rutherford County and the towns of Gilkey, Rutherfordton, Spindale, and Forest City.  It passes through the center of these towns, which are older manufacturing and textile centers from decades past.  Lots of older buildings are being renovated and repurposed, but there are plenty of dilapidated structures as well.   It is an area in transition, but the Thermal Belt Rail Trail helps pull it all together.   It winds through areas on the outside of town that may seem challenged with a transient population, but then a few miles later opens up to spectacular mountain views and dives back into deep woods and quiet solitude.  It does what a greenway should do...brings the elements of a community together, both good and challenging, and creates a space for all purposes.   

As I ran through, meeting the team at our pre-designated parking spots along the trail, I began to enjoy the sense of noise quieting down in my head.  There was no traffic to worry about, only a very clear path forward under clear blue skies.  I had a great group of people supporting me.   The frustration of yesterday was ancient history and it was all a comfortable forward motion for today.  

The turn-around spot for the trail was in a small parking lot tucked away in a quiet neighborhood.  It was getting a little hotter but I enjoyed the company and refueling with vanilla oreos, pickle juice, and potato chips.   I had another 10 miles or so heading back in the opposite direction, but we wanted to save a few miles at the end for the other wonderful, smaller greenway that was exclusively in Rutherfordton.   By this point, we had said our goodbyes to Joe, who was headed back to Concord, and we’d be meeting up with Jason, our next road warrior to help out.   Joe was always a welcome, positive presence during some very tough times for me, and I will always be grateful for his uplifting attitude as we struggled with mountains, traffic, near constant rain, and dodgy hotels.   He really got the worst of it, and never complained.

About 5 miles down the road, I ran into a shirtless, tatted-up guy kicking around ivy on the side of the trail.   I was initially a little wary, but he seemed like a man on a mission, so I asked him if I could help him with anything.    Here’s his story...he served in Iraq (boots on the ground), came home and got all messed up with opioids.   Had a girlfriend, had a baby, lost both...became homeless and started stealing stuff to keep going.   He hit bottom but recognized he had hit bottom, and pulled himself out of this death spiral.  He was working at a garage and trying to get custody of his kid, but last night he had gotten drunk with some friends on the greenway and lost his keys.   I suppose he slept outside that night, so I wanted to help.  But after 15-20 minutes, no keys were to be found, and I had other places to be, so we said our goodbyes.   I hope he found his keys but more importantly, I wish him strength in his battle back to a better life.   It can’t be an easy road ahead for him, and our encounter once again made me realize how easy I had it.   I could stop at any time and go back to my life.  People struggling with addiction, or homelessness, or living with daily challenges of autism don’t have any such luxury.

Near the end of the Thermal Belt Rail Trail, I met Becky and Steph for a Subway tuna sub.  It was getting hot but I still felt good, and their enthusiasm was infectious.   I had another 2-3 miles down the trail, but it was shady and quiet and my soul was re-filling.   I stopped to just take it all in at this moment:

We finished with about 20 miles done on the greenway, and then drove across town for our date with the Purple Martin trail.   The Rutherfordton police department was once again totally supportive and accommodating. Becky and Stephanie made re-introductions.  I started from the town park, a beautiful space with a large gazebo in the center and lots of pathways, trails, gardens, and creeks.   The Purple Martin Trail is relatively new, and it winds its way through town, over the river and through the woods.  It was just wonderful, and I had the police stopping at intersections with blue lights flashing, making the experience all the more memorable.   I even saw groundhogs snuffling around the river bank!

We returned to our Comfort Inn in Shelby although I don’t remember much about dinner.  The heat had really gotten to me by the end of the day and I just needed to recover for as long as possible.   It was a good day but I needed to recharge.