Date: 2016-06-28
From: Church of the Mountain Hiker Center

To: Kittatinny Ridge Tentsite
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 100?! Whaaaaat?! Craziness.This morning I woke up and realized there were still quite a few things I needed to get done that I didn't get done because my buddies came and distracted me! (A welcome distraction, I must say.) Yesterday, I did laundry, showered, got our drop box, bought new shoes, Aqua Mira, and gas, and finalized plans with Kate; however, I needed a couple things from Walmart (TP/new water bottles/town dress/etc.) and I needed to find a printer! We got a shuttle to Walmart from a guy named Kenny, and he also brought Morning bear and me to the library after, as well. He said we needed to find our own way back via the yellow bus line though.I printed what I needed (warranty form for Salewa and a course override form for my school) and we had to chase down the bus because we missed by two minutes! Luckily, he let us on and we were back to the hostel in no time. I quickly finished my post office chores (the ladies there were very helpful and friendly), and then I left to catch up with Verge, who had left an hour earlier but ended up waiting for me anyway at the Kittatinny Visitor center where we had lunch together before moseying on. It was such a weight off my shoulders to finally get new shoes, send back the old ones, and sort everything out with Salewa. It was another huge weight off my shoulders to send the course override form because I really need to take that specific class next semester but it's listed as full online! The trail and its challenges are constantly evolving. In the beginning, it was learning new skills, adapting to trail life, and getting into hiking shape. It then morphed into finding a balance between the social aspects of the trail and your mileage goals you set for yourself. It has also become a major mental struggle with positivity and endurance. My current challenges are how some of my stresses from "the real world" are seeping into my magical wilderness world, such as classes approaching, loan deadlines, finishing in time for school, etc., and also a struggle with wanting to hike your own hike while having to compromise with someone else who also wants to hike their own hike (aka sister struggles.) It has been a very real question as to whether we are going to separate. It seems crazy after all this time, but we want to experience things differently, which makes sense because we're different people! I think it's important for us to learn and grow individually on this journey; however, after a few pretty heated discussions, we've decided it makes most sense to stick it out together. If not because it's financially smart to do so, then because we're best friends and love each other, and if not for that, then because it is very important to learn how to compromise and work together with someone through thick and thin. I know I've already grown through this experience with Verge, and I know there's more to learn and more to practice.Also--we're officially in New Jersey! Hallelujah! From just a small day of hiking, I can already see and feel the difference. Yes, there are still rocks, but it's different! I actually saw a view! And felt the wondrous wind on my skin on the top of an open hill covered in tall grass. It was amazing; I felt so comforted. I'm sad to be missing the awesome pool party Mountain Goat invited us to, but tomorrow my best friend Kate is picking us up from Culver Gap (Branchville, NJ) and taking us to her home in Swarthnore, PA to have a nice, relaxing zero day! First real zero day since Daleville! SOOO excited!!! (I'm going to ignore the fact that I'll be back in PA...it doesn't count if it's not on the trail, right?) Anyway, happy to be moving closer and closer to New England...