When I started hiking the Appalachian Trail in March of 2007, I had no idea the role rhododendron would come to play in my life. For the next handful of months, their tunnels would provide welcome refuge from the hot sun and their bright pink flowers would provide a little break from the typical solid green scenes that surrounded me. In Virginia, I used a fallen rhododendron leaf as a makeshift spigot to give a weak spring some extra oomph into my water bottle. I used yet other fallen leaves to create the number 400 on the ground in celebration when I reached that many miles. I loved camping near areas rich with rhododendron because it usually guaranteed soft ground and quiet sleep. I soon found comfort at the mere sight of a rhododendron whether or not it was in bloom. I actually never even thought they were that beautiful or anything … at least not in the obvious way of my favorite flower, the peony. But they were useful, plentiful, restful. They were a little comfort when I felt so far from home. A little playful when I needed entertainment. And a little reminder of how it’s the small things that make all the difference…
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