out along the AT
Just completed a 22-mile trek this afternoon. I started out yesterday morning at the top of Newfound Gap and made my way along the Appalachian Trail for about 10 miles to Peck's Corner shelter, where I spent the night. Ideally, I would've loved to go with someone else, but no one else I work with has Fridays and Saturdays off, so off I went by myself. I kinda enjoyed the solitude... I found myself pushing my limits and challenging myself, hoofing it to the top of a hill before slowing down. The sweet scent of pines permeated the entire ridge line... I found myself thinking of Christmas time. I saw a red-tailed hawk soaring 300 feet below me. I really felt alive while I was hiking.
My folks weren't too happy when I called and told them what I was doing, but this stretch of the AT through the park is definitely one of the safest segments along the whole route (which of course I stressed to them). Still, that didn't stop my mother from worrying and telling my sister to "keep Patty in your prayers... she's sleeping out in the wilderness by herself tonight." By myself? Hardly. I was the first one to arrive at the shelter around 3:30, but by the time 7 pm rolled around, I found myself among 10 other hikers. All really nice folks. There was a father-daughter group, a group of 3 brothers, and a family of 5. One of the brothers was an Army reservist and graciously demonstrated for me the proper way to heat an MRE. I was very excited about my MRE, especially for that little bottle of tabasco that's standard in all meals. Much to my dismay, however, I discovered that the bottle had somehow exploded in the bag, so that somewhat dampened my enthusiasm. Still, the jambalaya tasted awesome after spending over 7 hours on the trail.
There's something about the camraderie that develops along the AT... although I only spent one night on the trail, I could definitely feel it among our group of hikers. What started off as awkward "hellos" and "where are you from?" soon grew to "would you mind helping me with this?" and "would you like some vanilla pudding?" Conversations ranged from what folks did for a living to the best way to start a fire to being stationed in Iraq (there were two other Army guys in the group as well). Getting a fire going required the efforts of just about everyone (and an hour of trying to get wet wood to light), but by the time we got it going, it burned so well that we fell asleep to the sounds of cracking wood and the light of the flames dancing on the walls of the shelter.
The next morning, the father-daughter couple offered me some hot water and tea (I didn't have a stove with me). So I contentedly drank some Earl Grey as I watched the sun rise above the trees. I also had the best cherry pop-tarts ever - there's just something about food on the trail that makes it so much more enjoyable than back in civilization. I was a little sad when I said my good-byes and set off down the trail. Going back to the hustle and bustle of the "real world" was not something I was looking forward to. Still, I was relieved to see my car at the trail's end, and the post-hike shower was absolutely delightful. I think everyone needs a break from reality every so often... although I firmly believe that one's experiences on the trail are often more "real" than any in the "real world."
My folks weren't too happy when I called and told them what I was doing, but this stretch of the AT through the park is definitely one of the safest segments along the whole route (which of course I stressed to them). Still, that didn't stop my mother from worrying and telling my sister to "keep Patty in your prayers... she's sleeping out in the wilderness by herself tonight." By myself? Hardly. I was the first one to arrive at the shelter around 3:30, but by the time 7 pm rolled around, I found myself among 10 other hikers. All really nice folks. There was a father-daughter group, a group of 3 brothers, and a family of 5. One of the brothers was an Army reservist and graciously demonstrated for me the proper way to heat an MRE. I was very excited about my MRE, especially for that little bottle of tabasco that's standard in all meals. Much to my dismay, however, I discovered that the bottle had somehow exploded in the bag, so that somewhat dampened my enthusiasm. Still, the jambalaya tasted awesome after spending over 7 hours on the trail.
There's something about the camraderie that develops along the AT... although I only spent one night on the trail, I could definitely feel it among our group of hikers. What started off as awkward "hellos" and "where are you from?" soon grew to "would you mind helping me with this?" and "would you like some vanilla pudding?" Conversations ranged from what folks did for a living to the best way to start a fire to being stationed in Iraq (there were two other Army guys in the group as well). Getting a fire going required the efforts of just about everyone (and an hour of trying to get wet wood to light), but by the time we got it going, it burned so well that we fell asleep to the sounds of cracking wood and the light of the flames dancing on the walls of the shelter.
The next morning, the father-daughter couple offered me some hot water and tea (I didn't have a stove with me). So I contentedly drank some Earl Grey as I watched the sun rise above the trees. I also had the best cherry pop-tarts ever - there's just something about food on the trail that makes it so much more enjoyable than back in civilization. I was a little sad when I said my good-byes and set off down the trail. Going back to the hustle and bustle of the "real world" was not something I was looking forward to. Still, I was relieved to see my car at the trail's end, and the post-hike shower was absolutely delightful. I think everyone needs a break from reality every so often... although I firmly believe that one's experiences on the trail are often more "real" than any in the "real world."