Through My Eyes

My wife, Norma, read a book by Jean Deeds entitled, “There are Mountains to climb.” She convinced me to read it. Wow. I loved the book. It was so good I actually picked up the phone to call “Indiana Jean,” better known as Jean Deeds, an expert hiker who travels the world with hiking sticks in tow. Little did I know how that call would change the life of my friend, David Jensen.

Jean made a presentation about her hike of the Appalachian Trail (AT) to several of my friends including David. As the saying goes, “the rest is history” as the beckoning of the A.T. was too much for David to resist.

In 1999, David began training for the 2,165 miles that make up the AT from Springer Mountain, Georgia, to Mount Katahdin, Main. He trained nearly seven days a week at Eagle Creek Park in Indianapolis. Walking with a fully loaded backpack, he quickly became an oddity as there aren’t many serious long distance hikers in Indiana. It didn’t take long for people to start asking him questions about the hike, why he was doing it, and when he would be leaving.

Don’t we all have a dream of some kind upon which we focus? Sometimes the dream fades when our focus is distracted by life itself. Such was the case with David, but it seems a man's life is never complete until the dream is lived. Dreams get us through the challenges of life. But, how often is one blessed by being able to fulfill that dream?

David was now retired and hiking the trail was not just a possibility but a real opportunity. All he needed was time to prepare.

And a trail name.

You see, trail names -- such as Indiana Jean - are serious business on the AT. It seems most are earned on the trail itself but David’s chosen years prior to stepping onto the AT.

David is a Marine, from the top of his head to the tip of toes, David is Marine to the core (no pun intended.) So it was no surprise when David settled on the trail name Marine One.

With support from his wife, Marti, and friends at Westlake Church, Marine One’s journey began March 17, 2001, when he stepped on the trail and headed north, toward Katahdin. The air was chilly and damp as he started down the trail, tears filling his eyes and mine.

As you read this adventure, remember that David is living his dream in these words, at this moment, in real time. It was a difficult challenge that held many hardships where pain and suffering were everyday, commonplace; ice and snow, heat, bugs and injuries were to be endured.

But, many friends would be found and memories would be created. Reaching the summit of Mount Katahdin, the northern terminus of the AT would bring the realization that David’s dream had been accomplished. How could there be any greater feeling?

-- John Davenport, trail name, Deadhead