Friday, May 20, 2011

a walk in the woods


This about an old friend of ours. It's been at least 15 years since we've seen him. We (bill and I) met him at the hospital. He worked in our department central sterilizing. Matt was an instant friend. He had lots of great stories and had every reggae album that was ever made. I'm talking walls of reggae and James brown. Matt was a great guy. One of the many people that cross our paths. We had lots of good times. Matt also was a recovering alcoholic and had a drug problem also. We knew that he was having trouble staying clean.We tried to curtail it, but, he would have no interest in what we had to say. He was heading down the road of no return. He quit the hospital and moved to Des monies. We heard from him and kept in touch for awhile. Then he dropped off the radar. We got 1 cryptic postcard with no return address. It didn't sound good. I've googled him in the past few years, but, came up with zero information. I was deep down looking for an obit. So, i googled him again just the other day. Low and behold there is his name, it's being mentioned over and over again. Could this be him, I wondered? What's this, there's mention of a book and something about hiking the Appalachian Trail. It's a book by Bill Bryson. "A walk in the Woods" It's a best seller about the authors account of him and his buddy "KaTZ" HIKING THE TRAIL. COULD THIS BE HIM. He's from Des Monies and the time line is right, age is right, the name is right (Katz was a made up name) His real name had been reveled as Matt on bill brysons website. On the website, i read about similar stories i had heard from Matt. They were buddies from childhood. I had heard from Matt that they went to Europe together. They broke a window in Morocco and were arrested and thrown in a Moroccan jail. All Bill says on his site is that they traveled to Europe together.
I have concluded that this is my friend. That bit of information made my week!!! To think he overcame all his demons and hiked the entire trail. I ordered the book. Has anyone read this book? Robert Redford wants to make a movie out of it. If Matt can do this, i think maybe i can do anything i want to too.

9 comments:

Chris said...

I read this book and I really liked it. Matt must be the overweight guy that threw all of his equipment away because he couldn't stand to carry it around, right? Now I am wondering what happened to him. Maybe Bill Bryson knows.

cconz said...

I just got book in the mail yesterday. So, i can't wait to read, The fat guy that throws all his stuff out, sounds like him.

Gayle said...

I hope this is your friend.....
you'll have to keep us posted!

Gary said...

cc,

How doubly great to see you post this evening. As always I look forward to reading you post and this one is of particular interest. I enjoy reading all published works on the Appalachian Trail since a portion of it runs by just a few miles for here.

In my own hiking of “short” sections of the trail I have had the fortune to meet some of the “full trekkers”, those going all the way, end to end. And they all have had some great stories to tell.

So I guess when I get done here it’s off to the Barns and Noble web site to order my copy. In a couple of weeks we will have to compare thoughts on it. Take care and will be chatting at you later. – G

A Wild Thing said...

Girl, you have the talent and drive to do anything you want, you have already amazed me in so many ways...which is why I love you so much, I want hundreds of friends just like you...truly genuine...that's my Cath!!!

Gayle said...

Hi Cathie, I left you another message, not sure if it went thru.
I would like to send you something, if you are interested please send me your mailing address or an address where you would be comfortable receiving a pkg.You can send it to.....

gaylehajek@gmail.com

lvroftiques said...

Hi Cathie!
I came over via Dawn's and am really enjoying your blog. Now I too am caught up in the mystery! I hope you'll keep us all updated. I have to tell you this post put a tear in my eye it was so touching. I have my fingers crossed that this was indeed your friend. Vanna/your newest follower

cconz said...

Just to let you all know Katz is our long lost friend MaTT. He's got lots of stories and has since lost part of his leg. So, no more mountain climbing for him. But, he's as happy as a clam.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for posting information about my dear friend Matt. I too worked with him for several years in the central sterilizing department at the VA hospital in Iowa City. What a great guy!