Ruth Dorrough and Daniel Dorrough

Ruth ( R) says her and Dan (D) have had such a broad experience with the North Country Trail (NCT). She says they have walked the whole trail as well as being involved administratively when Ruth was on the board of the North Country Trail Association (NCTA).

R and D recall how they came to walk the entire North Country Trail. They talk about joining large group hikes and meeting many people. They say they are still friends with some of the people they met. They add that the hikes would range from twelve to fourteen miles.

D and R talk about the very last hike they did on the Finger Lakes trail and how their friend Ed was there to cheer them on.

D says they then realized the North Country Trail follows 420 miles of the Finger Lakes Trail and figured they should hike the entire North Country Trail. R talks about the different ways they got mileage on the North Country Trail. She recalls how they tried biking part of the trail and later got two cars.

D and R recall the numerous North Country Trail celebrations they went to.

R says she was nervous about having to hike the Kekekabic Trail, a wilderness part of the NCT. She says that D asked a friend, Derick, to be their guide. D says the Kekekabic Trail was one of the hardest things he’s ever done. R recalls when she saw a bear on the trail. D and R say they are still in touch with Derick and his wife.

R and D describe how walking the NCT changed them. R says because of the trail, she is less frustrated at problems when they come up and now sees problems as a challenge. D says he is generally an introvert and does not get to know people easily, but because of the trail, he has met so many people he wouldn’t have known otherwise. R adds that her perception of the Midwest has also changed because of the trail.

R says she is much more aware of the general goodness of people because of the trail. She says it restored her faith.

D and R reflect on what it was like rewatching a presentation they gave in North Dakota at the end of the trail.