Date: 2016-05-25
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: Wiliam Penn Shelter
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: clear sky

Today was a rough day. I was in so much pain from my feet. I stopped frequently to give them breaks, but it still wasn't enough. By the end of the day I was stopping every 15-20 min. Praying for the shelter to be around the corner soon. Today was supposed to be easy. I changed my mind on sticking with the group and opted for only 12 miles so I wouldn't injure myself, and it felt rougher than yesterday's 18! At some points it got really hot out. I ran out of water and everything.My first 3 miles I cried the entire time. I figured it was just emo-girly me finally breaking out, telling me it's time to go home to suburbia where I belong. I fought through it. I cried it out and pushed on through the pain and the dirt and the smell. I kept walking and climbing over every fallen tree in my path. The loneliness crept in deeper and deeper. Making me miss my ex, my family, my friends, and even my trail buds. Today I miss hot showers, a comfy bed, home cooked meals, and laying around the house being lazy just because I can. I worked through all that this morning, and I tried to let the smell of fresh flowers, green grass, and fallen leaves and pine needles whisk away my sadness. It was such a beautiful day today. It always is out here to me, even when it rains. The sunshine takes everything up a notch. I got to my lunch spot near a small creek and enjoyed it for all it was worth. I took my time, savor my meal, let my socks dry in the sun while I soaked my swollen feet in the water. I sat there for at least an hour before returning to the trail. It felt good to "hike my own hike" again. I knew I had plenty of time to make it to the next shelter. So I didn't rush, whenever I needed a break, I took it. I felt so much better after lunch. The pain just never went away from my feet though. I was also feeling more tired than normal. The inclines today were small but had me way out of breath. I blamed it on the heat, but it was probably from hiking the 18 miles yesterday.Even with how rough today was, I finally made it through. I made it past the pain and the tears and I got here. I didn't give up and I don't plan to quit, so either way I am proud of myself.Now to the good part: Today was a nature exhibit day! The flowers smelled so perfume sweet, it was really nice. I saw tons of chipmunks, some chunky squirrels, and birds- of course. I saw a small black and yellow snake - Yikes. Then I saw a pretty decent sized black snake about 15 min later. I think snakes are super cool creatures. I'm surprised I'm not as scared of them as I should be. Im sure I will be eventually, once I have a scary close encounter. Idk why yesterday's snake encounter wasn't as alarming as it should've been. Prob because I wasn't 100% sure it was a rattlesnake at the time, even though it was my first thought.I also saw a momma bird call her baby birds when I scared her. It was super cute. The little babies ran and flew over to her and they all strutted along through the forest. I need to look up the bird when I get to town. It was reddish brown and it liked to walk through the leaves more so than fly. Reminded me of a chicken, may have been a quail but I don't think so. I got to see its body pretty clearly before it scuttled away, so I think I'll be able to figure out what it was easily. I also saw 2 bunnies today. The one I have a pic on snapchat might be a hare. But the one I saw walking down to the shelter was definitely a wee little brown bunbun.Lastly, I collapsed on the shelter floor and was eating a snack when a little head poked up from the cracks of wood. It was a mouse! Omg it was so stinking cute! It stared at me and I even got a picture but the pic erased when I got a text message. It was so adorable. I've heard SO much about the mice in the shelters; how they're everywhere and will run across your face and everything. Idk why I was picturing white mice this whole time. This little brown one was just the cutest. I'm sure I say this now and I'll go to sleep tonight and have them swarm me, or tear apart my bag and eat my food and chew holes in everything. Let's hope that's not the case though! I want to love them as much tomorrow as I do tonight.So like I said, exciting but tough day! Hopefully tomorrow will be alright. Doesn't look like I'll be getting to Port Clinton by the time my group leaves. This is sad, but I'll make new friends, which is exciting!This is the first night im alone in a shelter by myself. Theres about 5 other people in this approximate area though. So if anything terrible happens, hopefully they'll come save me! LolFollow my SNOG for daily updates and pics. Snapchat username: saylind.vettloGood night to all.Remember who you are.