It’s been two months since I left for the Camino; I’m amazed that that much time has gone by. In the days before I left, when I was walking for miles at Hunter St. Park with my loaded backpack, I gradually built up muscle and strength. During that time, I was visiting at my sister, Harriet’s and my nephew, Andrew was home. He lives in Swannanoa, a town on the Swannanoa River in the mountains of North Carolina. Andrew commented on how “fit” his Aunt Connie looked and was curious about my plan to walk the Camino. How nice it was to share the love of adventure with my nephew and to hear his words of admiration for an “older” hiker.

On September 20th, Andrew celebrated his 40th birthday. As a present to himself, he planned to take a vacation and hike a portion of the Appalachian Trail (AT) in Vermont. He’d been doing sections for a while and his goal is to complete the entire trail. The AT’s about 2,190 miles and spans from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Katahdin, Maine. It’s the world’s longest hiking-only footpath. I admired how he’d been persistent in packing all his gear and food on his back and taking off. What an accomplishment it would be on the day he completes the 2,190 miles.

Andrew flew to Boston where he enjoyed a couple of days–like I had in Porto, a way of gathering yourself before stepping onto an ambitious path. His goal was to cover 200 miles in 10 days. Four days into his hike, he sprained his ankle. He knew that the next section of the trail was the most treacherous, and even though he’d packed an ankle brace, it wouldn’t be sufficient for him to continue. He made it to the next town, called an Uber, that took him to a shuttle back to Logan Airport. How disappointing that his journey was interrupted, his fortieth birthday present denied.

He returned to his home that’s eleven miles east of Asheville. Hurricane Helene stalled over the area and there were continuous days of record-breaking rain leading to flooding all over western N.C. By September 27th, the area was devastated by mud slides, pieces of I-40 breaking off and many roads shut down. While Andrew’s house and his sister, Emily’s houses, just a few blocks from each other and a half mile from the river, were not flooded, they saw other homes in their community destroyed. They witnessed people calling out for help, stranded on housetops and clinging to trees, which was especially upsetting for Emily’s elementary-age sons.

Andrew is a builder and has many practical skills– including using a chainsaw. He quickly jumped into action helping out with the Search and Rescue. He uses a water purification system when he’s on the AT; he’s been able to provide drinkable water for himself and others, since Hurricane Helene damaged drinking water utilities. The same gas generator he’s used with building projects, he’s taken house to house to help people in his community.

When Andrew has talked with his parents, he’s described his surroundings as “apocalyptic,” noting the unreality of seeing homes and 18-wheelers floating down the river. He, and the others who’ve survived the flooding, will have memories of all they’ve experienced for the rest of their lives, They’ve been impacted on many levels, some more severely than others.

What I hope Andrew will also remember, is how he was one of those local heroes who jumped into action and made a difference. He is part of history, the flood of 2024, that changed Swannanoa, western N.C., as well as other areas of the Southeast. His AT interrupted came at a time when he had a bigger challenge that he wasn’t aware of.

One day, he’ll return to the AT and do another section. But for now, he has my admiration for all he’s done for others, my nephew who is skilled and kind, and is making a difference.

Thanks to Andrew and all those who are helping others who are struggling. May you have the energy to continue serving.

Connie