Date: 2005-06-16
To: Scoop Dungan (aka Long Way)
Miles today: 0.0

Hello faithful readers...Scoop Dungan here (that sounds so much more news-worthy than Long Way). I thought it might be fun to get an idea of a typical day in the life of our dear Dream Catcher. The last time I spoke to her (6/11) she gave me a run down. Oh, she also informed me that 6/11/05 is the day time stood still...her watch battery ran down. Here's a day in the life of our friend:The birds have become her alarm clock. They usually start chirping about 6:15 -6:25 am - EVERY MORNING. Dream Catcher first checks to see if it's raining. If it is, it's time to go back to bed. Eventually she gets up at about 7 am. After that it's time to clean up, pack up and have breakfast. Breakfast usually consists of a Power Bar. By 8 am she's hit the trail.The first hour of hiking each day is murder. The pack doesn't feel right, the straps rub, her feet hurt, etc. About 10 am she takes a quick break and eats a snack (granola, or something like that). She takes short breaks throughout the day (5 - 10 mins.), but at 11 am she takes a longer break (15 - 20 mins.). Usually Dream Catcher hikes through the traditional lunch time. If she's lucky she gets what she described as a "hikers' high" which sounds similar to a runners' high. Between 4 - 6 pm she is trying to figure out where she'll stop for the night. But usually by about 6 pm she has stopped and has her dinner of freeze dried food. She has a little propane (I think it's propane) tank that has a contraption that allows her little pan to sit on top. She adds water and heats up the meal. Now doesn't that sound YUMMY!! (yeck)After dinner she hangs the bear bag (you've already read about the fun to be had by all when hanging a bear bag). If she's in a shelter, she dries off (because it has usually rained at some point during the day), chats with the other hikers, and then writes in her journal. If not, she's busy setting up her tent and trying to stay out of the rain!! In either case bY about 8:30 -9:00 pm she is asleep and/or listening to the mice or other creatures that go bump in the night. No doubt she's dreaming of starting it all over again the next day. What a GRIND huh!!I asked "the Dreamy One" what has been the most thrilling part of this adventure so far? She said that, "just being able to do something that has been on her list for such a long time was the most thrilling." If any of you know Dream Catcher, you'll know that she has a list of things she wants to do in/with her life. Hiking the AT is one of those activities.What was the one thing she had not anticipated, but that has happened? "BLISTERS." She was not surprised to have gotten a blister, but to have so many, even after she has been doing everything the right way. Dream Catcher said she thinks it's God's way of having her slow down...enjoy the process and not focus on the destination. It makes her stop along the way more than if she didn't have them. She's been able to take in breath-taking views, wonderful little creatures, and beautiful flowers along the way that she may have missed out on seeing.So what has been the nicest thing she was surprised about? Meeting all the great people she has. Not only the other hikers, but the trail angels, inn keepers, as well as all of you who are reading her journal entries, signing her guest book, and/or leaving her emails. It feels like it's not just her alone, but that we are all along for the ride as well. Well that's all for now. Scoop Dungan out.