Date: 2008-07-05
From:  Stratton, Maine 

To: Crocker Cirque Campsite
Miles today: 7.5

Twilight! Off in places through the woods from 15 or so people tenting nearby. My tent is on the other side of the stream away from the rest of the crowd. I like being over here by myself. I am drinking chamomile and have washed my face with the warm teabag. Ahhh ¢ the simple pleasures. Today¢s hike was the proverbial ¢Yea-Boy¢ story. It was great being back in the woods, and, in spite of last night¢s pre-departure angst (¢Can I do this?¢ ¢What if I don¢t like it as much?¢ etc.), I loved being back on the Trail from the very moment I stepped into the woods (Yea!). While the hike was far from easy ¢ up 3,500 feet, down 1,500 feet ¢ it took me 712 hours to go 712 miles, which is not good (Boo!). Granted, I stopped for an hour¢s lunch and nap, but still I am a long way off from the 2 to 2.5 mile rate that I am accustomed to. I always forget how Section Hikers must get back in shape every year ¢ we don¢t just pick up where we left off! Last night I stayed in the bunk room of ¢The Cabin¢ run by ¢Bear¢ and ¢Honey¢ (Earl and Margie Towne). I was up at 5:30 am and ready to go by 7:00 am after an unbelievable breakfast of blueberry pancakes, homemade biscuits with homemade strawberry jam, bacon, and coffee (there were also eggs, potatoes, fruit, juice, and fresh blueberries if you were so inclined!). ¢Bear¢ dropped me off a little after 9:00 am on the second day without rain so far this summer. Yesterday was the first day that it had not rained in a couple of weeks. It was a perfect day for hiking: low 70¢s, sunny with light breezes. *a big confusing, Yesterday was the first day it had not rained in a couple of weeks, when the line above said second day without rain so far this summer. Not in agreement. The woods are made up of mostly Spruce Trees and Birches both silver and gray. I arrived at the campsite around 5:00 pm and took my time setting up my tent and re-familiarizing myself with my gear and my routines (another disadvantage of being a Section Hiker is that you have to relearn everything every time you go out). Having finished my tea, I moved into my tent and am now about ready to call it a day even though it is still light enough to write without the use of my headlamp. I have my down bag, so I will be plenty warm. My pack is under my feet to elevate them and let some of the blood run back into other parts to help reduce swelling from the hike. My spare clothes are in my stuff sack for a pillow, and today¢s clothes are at my feet to finish drying out. The rain fly is already attached to one end and rolled up just in case we get a shower during the night. My hat is in its usual spot, upside down near my left ear where I keep my headlamp, glasses, watch, thermometer, whistle, and now a new item ¢ a small cap that I got last summer while hiking with Jack. Soon after I left the Trail last year I began shaving my head when my sister¢s chemotherapy caused her hair to fall out. I have continued to do this as much for a fashion statement as a token of remembrance now that she is gone, although it is that too. Without a doubt, my sister was the biggest fan of this journal (and of me and my hike for that matter). So writing this is different now. Before, when I did not know what I should say, I used to think about what she would like to hear and then write that. I can still do that (and have tonight), but it is different ¢ I guess that it is not having the assurance that within minutes of it being posted, she will read it, critique it, and share it with her friends with great pride. I did not realize until now what a big part of my AT journey my sister has been and that I miss that connection. It is still not dark, but I have said enough. It is time to put on my cap to keep my head warm, snuggle into my bag, and sleep while my legs hopefully figure out what they are going to do tomorrow only faster.