Reynolds is on a new adventure
Matthew L. Brown - Chronicle Staff Writer

COLUMBIA — As an archaeologist living in Albuquerque, N.M., David Reynolds spends countless hours sifting through desert sands in the middle of nowhere searching for buried signs of life. His occupation is about deriving facts from findings, it’s a bit of an adventure, but it’s still science, cold and catalogued. He’s on a different adventure now, a solemn walk from Boston to Manhattan — including time through eastern Connecticut — in honor those killed in the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The walk has required him to loosen his grip on the search for scientific fact and rely more on his own growing understanding of life’s mysteries. Reynolds’ cousin, Scott Johnson, was only in his mid-20s when he was killed on Sept. 11, 2001.

The financial analyst had worked in the World Trade Center for less than a year when the planes struck. “When he got the job, he didn’t even tell me it was in the trade center,” Reynolds said. The two grew up together in New Jersey and their families were very close. “He was just a wonderful human being, one of those people you meet once or twice in a lifetime.” “I was in New Mexico, out of touch with everybody” when the planes hit, Reynolds said, “but I did hear eventually.” He returned to the East Coast as soon as he learned what had happened. “I was just stunned, devastated. For the first few weeks, we just thought he was missing, but like a lot of families, we had to admit … we spent a lot of time searching hospitals. None of us will ever be the same.” Reynolds also noticed physical changes, especially in his father, who Scott Johnson was named for. “My father looked like he had been beaten up; peoples’ faces changed.” After seeing the planes hit the towers on television so many times, over and over again, Reynolds got rid of his television. He only recently bought a new one.