Date: 2007-08-28
From: Cortina Inn and Resort, Killington, VT

To: Cortina Inn and Resort, Killington, VT
Miles today: 18.4

"YDG" dropped me off at HWY 2 in North Adams, Mass and I hiked back north on the AT. This would be a "slack pack" day. I walked back up the 2 miles or so that I had done before and thought how I flew up this section before the thuderstorm the other day. I then thought how lucky(smart) I was that I put up my tent instead of trying to race that storm. There was alot of exposed ridgeline up here and it was kind of a tough climb. I had made a mistake, though. I had my new boots on and I just had these little cotton ankle socks on. It was destroying my ankles. As I sat there thinking about the mistake that I had made: one of the best looking 60+ women walked up. Her name was Sally and she had just retired from being an educator in Burlington, VT. I thought about one of my loyal readers named "Moon Man". I thought that this would be a perfect woman for him. He says that he is hiking the AT soon. If he could have just been here now. Anyway, she let me have some duct tape to tape my mole skin on my ankles. IF you do not know this: moleskin, bandaids, 2nd skin, etc does not stay affixed to hot spots without being taped, totally wrapped. She actually wanted to give me her extra pair of socks. She was hiking the Long Trail and I could not accept something that she might need. I said goodbye, thanks, and let her have some of YDG's homemade pumpkin bread. The AT and Long Trail(LT) take the same route for about 100 miles north of here; so, there will be dual thru hikers for awhile. I kept going up and past The Seth Warner Shelter And stayed on a wet and boggy ridge for about 15 miles. It is a different type of terrain. In the south, we do not have these bogs high up in the mountains like this. At one point, the trail actually is below one of these ponds. It was a muddy trek. I was thinking that I really need to get same gaiters(I know, "O.G."). As I was going across an open area under some powerlines, I met "Sweet Jella"[female NOBO](named changed to protect the not so innocent, I dont want to break up any marriages). We greeted each other and wow what a vibrant personality. She told me all about her night where she talked all night with a SOBO. They did not even see each other, in the dark. She was quite smitten. I let it slip that I was a counselor and she said, "oh great, Im Bi-polar". I was like, "Great!". Actually, Bi-polar folks are not too hard to deal with; just stay on there good side and keep them happy. We talked about "The Five Minute Window", which is a Paradigm that I am building about meeting folks on the trail. She told me that she started with a group of girls: one had "de-flowered"(her words) a good christian boy and one of the other girls were in a "hush hush" relationship on the trail. I told her that we had to part because I had to run to meet my friend @ Route 9, VT by 8:30pm. OK, I am going to just scratch the surface of this thought here; but, "propinquity". Propinquity is one of my favorite and most basic of social psychological principles; basically, you end up in relationships with those that you are around(duh). It is why "Gold diggers" hang out around where wealthy folks are. I will just say, if you are in a serious relationship with someone special to you: stay near them. I know, "if love is strong, the distance does not matter!" Yes, I believe this; but, I see it all the time; particularly, in our society: you love where you live. I wish it was not so; but, if I ever get married again: she will not be out here on the trail without me! It was soon dark and I zipped by THe Congdon Shelter to find out that I still had about 4 miles to Route 9. I then began worrying about YDG hanging out down there at that desolate parking area. I was worried about her; but, I knew that she would be worrying about me even more. So, I just kept moving with a new blister on my right heel and duct tape cutting into my ankles. As I got close, there was a beautiful view off of Harmon Hill and I had to stop for 5 seconds just to enjoy the setting with the full moon which was actually kind of blinding. The descent down to Route 9 was just terrible. It was very rocky, steep, and slick. I kept cussing and saying out loud, "im coming!" When I got to the parking lot: the was YDG, visibly shaken and I felt my heart. I swore that I would not ever do this to her again; bless her heart. She had to give me a big hug with my pack still on; with me sopping wet from sweat and muddy to my hips from the bogs.