Eric was a loner. That’s why he liked people. They were rare like deer or bear in the distance. He took a break from thinning paper company land with brush saw holstered on his back and his head lost in his helmet.
He saw the hikers coming. One of them asked him if they were still on the Appalachian Trail. “Yes! Keep going. It’s right over there.” The trail wasn’t easy to see.
Eric wondered why people walked that trail, but he was glad to see them. He was glad he could give someone good directions on their way.
Story: Linked to Charli Mills’ Carrot Ranch. The prompt this week is “epic workplace”. Stories must be exactly 99 words.
Photos: “Almost Floating”, above, and “Light in the Center of the Forest”, below.
Poetry, Short Prose and Walking 
I’m sending this to my daughter, Frank. She’s been walking segments of the AT in CT and MA
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I had a friend who went the whole distance. Thank you, Dan!
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That’s amazing.
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That would be an epic workplace!
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It felt epic and huge. Thank you, Norah!
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This is such an unusual idea, Frank. I have to think about whether I would like a workplace like that.
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I was young when I did it and only for a few years. I would not do it now. I can see how the hiking is preferable. Thank you, Robbie!
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Nice work Frank. Everyone of us is a loner, on one or on another way….
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We are. Thank you, Ben!
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FoLLoWinG TRails
FoRGinG NeW PathS
SaTisFYinG
NoW From:
FoResT WHoLE
Trees to: CLearLY See..:)
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In all those details one can sense the forest whole. Thank you, Fred!
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Trees
Bees Birds
Butterfly
BReaTHES Change..:)
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Frank, I grew up near the Pacific Crest Trail and I knew a woman who was old by the time I was a kid old enough to listen to her stories of cutting trail and riding her horse to maintain telegraph lines. I’ve known many people like Eric who love the wide open spaces, not intimidated by its remoteness, and yet willing to help others find their way. I enjoyed your reading, too!
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Thank you, Charli! I used to know many remote people in Maine, many like him, loving the remoteness of it all.
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There’s something special about those who can embrace the remoteness.
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