CNJ+ July 2025

MY LAST HIKE ON THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL By Richard Mabey Jr.

In late June of 1996, I hiked the Appala chian Trail for the last time. I did not know it at the time, that it would be my last time hiking this wonderful and magnificent wood ed trail. The late Reverend Fred Herwaldt and I took the boys, who had just finished a rig orous one-year term of both religious stud ies and hard-working service to their church in their pursuit to earn the coveted God and Country Award. My dad, Reverend Herwaldt and myself had led the weekly God and Country Award classes at the First Reformed Church of Lin coln Park. This very special award is a com bined effort of Boy Scouts of America and the Reformed Church of America. There is a scouting religious award for just about every faith known to mankind. The boys earnestly studied and worked hard on service projects for their church. From raking leaves to cleaning windows to repair ing the binding on hymnals, the boys learned the practical side of serving their church. But aside from hard work, the boys had complet ed a rigorous academic study of the Holy Bi ble. Written tests on Bible knowledge are giv en to the boys, usually once a month, in the course of the year-long study.

Yours truly (fourth from the left hand side) with some of the scouts who hiked the Appalachian Trail, back in late June of 1996.

As we hiked the wild and wonderful Appalachian Trail of New Jersey, I felt the shadow of my father. I was just 11 years old, when I first hiked the AT. Now, over 30 years had passed. I was no longer the Tenderfoot Scout, walking beside my father. I was now the responsible leader. Ever watchful for snakes that might plunge upon one of the boys. It was only a day hike. But I think we all came away from that special day, a little more aware of God’s beauty in nature. And soon the boys would all be honored with the presentation of their hard-earned God and Country medals, at a church service. This was the completion of a special, year-long endeavor the boys had undertaken. I was immensely proud of the boys, who hiked all those miles in just one day. I think we had finished out hike at about 8:00 that night. We had cooked a group supper along the trail, consisting of beef stew and buttered hard rolls. There was a genuine spirit of good fellowship that prevailed. I had no idea at the time, that this would be the last time that I would hike the AT. Now, at 70, with a serious heart condition, I am resigned to return to the dear old Appalachian Trail in memory only. If your healthy and in fairly good shape, please do consider hiking the Appalachian Trail. If only to go for a full-day hike. There is an endearing quality to the trail that will move your heart and give you a deeper appreciation of God’s breath-taking creations in nature. Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He hosts a YouTube Channel titled, “Richard Mabey Presents.” Richard most recently published a book of poetry and short stories. He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@hotmail.com.

In June of 1996, I was 42. My dad was now 68. Dad was fighting a bout with prostate cancer, so it was not possible for him to hike the Appalachian Trail. Reverend Herwaldt knew that I earned Eagle Scout and had served as an Assistant Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 170 for many years, so he appointed me to be the leader of the pack. The stretch of the Appalachian Trail, that traverses New Jersey, is 72 miles in length. However, during our one-day hike, we hiked a little over 20 miles. We left the First Reformed Church in Lincoln Park at 6:00, that morning. One of the boy’s fathers drove us to our starting point near the New York State and New Jersey border. Along the hike, I had the honor of reviewing with the boys, how to identify the different species of trees. I pointed out natural, edible plants. Along our hike, we saw all so many different birds. I brought my Boy Scout Handbook in my backpack, and used it as a reference, while the boys successfully iden tified the various species of birds. Squirrels abounded, climbing the oak, the maple and the elm. We stood still and remained quiet as we watched a group of deer walk through the forest. All in all, it was a most wonderful and memorable day. We all had brought sandwiches that we packed in our backpacks. There is something to be said for eating lunch, sitting upon a big rock, beneath the umbrella of majestic trees. The warmth of the golden sun, gentle breezes, birds singing in the trees, and squirrels seemingly flying from tree limb to limb. I remember, all so very well, that Reverend Herwaldt read a few Palms to the boys. It was a most heartwarming moment in time.

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