Date: 2003-07-09
From: Shenandoah Tenting Area 

To: Telephone Pioneers Shelter
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: moderate rain

Before falling asleep last night, I heard a coyote howling. It was so awesome! The noises it made before the classic howl scared me a bit, but once I heard the howl, I was okay.I slept pretty good, although, even though the skies were clear when I went to bed, the rumor of a thunderstorm made me put on my glasses and check the sky for stars every time I woke up. Thankfully, I didn't wake up too many times. I got up for good at 6am, which is early for me, but others were up, so I crawled out of my tent at that time.It was nice being in my tent. At least I'm not carrying it for no reason! Because the humidity was so high, my sleeping bag and other items in the tent were slightly damp this morning, but I didn't care. They would've been a bit damp anyway, after today's weather.We woke up to mostly cloudy skies, and by the time Hotdog and I got to RPH Shelter, I could feel a few raindrops. Very few. I didn't mention it, and didn't put on pack cover either. About an hour later, it was raining hard enough to put on the pack covers, but the canopy from the trees was protecting us enough that we didn't put on rain jackets. Besides, after the last few 'heavy-sweating' days, a little fresh rainwater wouldn't hurt! The Rain God showed us up a bit later and started dumping the cold rain on us, and we kept warmer wearing rain jackets.We planned on going 0.4mi off the trail at NY52 for lunch, and the rain just enhanced that idea. Hmmm... a dry place to eat real food, or a wet rock to eat more peanut butter? It doesn't take a genius! Splash, Cobra and Big Paw were already there, and Splash was already eating dessert: Ben & Jerry's ice cream. Big Paw was opening a deli sandwich that he'd planned on packing out, but explained "I have no willpower." Hotdog and I decided on pizza over deli sandwiches. I hadn't had pizza in a while, plus there were tables in the pizza place and none inside the deli. The pizza was good, but didn't sit too well with either of us, especially Hotdog. That happens sometimes with town food.We sat there for about an hour and a half, watching the rain drizzle and pour, drizzle and pour. Splash and Cobra decided to rent a car and get a hotel room, so they could run to an outfitter, and do regular town chores, such as laundry and shower. I'm surprised they did that, but they were excited about it, and Cobra was glad to be out of the rain. She said it was the first time they'd done anything like that, so they were due for something special. I called a friend of Subman's who offered to take care of a few smelly hikers. I'm lucky enough to be one of those, and so is Hotdog. I arranged a meeting time and place for tomorrow afternoon, and we'll spend at least tomorrow night at Gretchen and Brian's. Knowing that is what kept me moving today in the steady rain.We headed back to the trail, bellies full, then empty. Along the way, we met thruhikers Chickenfeet and Flanders, who we'd heard about. We chatted for a bit, then all headed to the next shelter, Morgan Stewart Shelter. When Hotdog and I arrived, Not the Kennedys and Big Paw were there, and John said "Uh-oh, make room for two more." We explained that we were stopping by for a break and would be moving on, and they made room for us to sit down so we didn't have to stand in the rain. Chickenfeet and Flanders arrived and moved in for lunch, debating on staying or moving on. Before Hotdog and I left, SuperDave came in too, so it's a good thing we weren't staying, otherwise we would've been packed in tightly!Not the Kennedys are getting off the trail for about 2 weeks to go sailing. They said it's their 'vacation from their vacation'. They only need to go to Hanover, NH to complete their AT adventure, which began last year, and with their time off, I won't see them again on the AT this year. I asked if they would be going to the Gathering this year, and they didn't think they'd make it, but wanted to make Trail Days next year. I hope to see them again.Hotdog and I left the cover of the shelter, and headed north again. The rain was falling lightly, but it poured a couple of times before letting up for good. Around 4 or 5 the sun came out a bit, but didn't warm the air too much. I was happy about that, as the temperature was comfortable for hiking.When we reached this shelter, the Telephone Pioneers Shelter, I was surprised to find no one in it. And now, about 3 hours after arriving, it's still just Hotdog and I. And a few mosquitos but not too bad. And a privy full of bees. At least I think they were in the privy. I opened the privy door, stepped inside and froze. It sounded like hundreds of bees buzzing under the toilet seat, and I wasn't going to find out for sure! I left, and closed the door behind me, then found a less buzzy unofficial privy in the woods nearby.My sleeping pad broke last night. It still holds air, but at one end, it's a big bubble of air. Tonight, I'm using that as a pillow. The rest of me doesn't have any air under me, just the slight padding that is inside the pad. Oh well. Something had to break! It could've been something worse... like an arm or leg!I'm looking forward to shower and laundry tomorrow, thanks to Gretchen and Brian! Hotdog and I were talking, and I think both of us are anxious for the miles to flow, and the states to fall behind us. It's not that I want this to end, but I can see, in the distant horizon, the goal of Katahdin. It's a great feeling when I walk out of another state. Tomorrow, I will leave NY (although return briefly and leave again the next day) and enter Connecticut. I can actually remember, and name all of the remaining states: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Unbelievable! Hotdog and I figure we'll be into Vermont in about 10 days. Wow!What a great adventure this has been, and continues to be! I am thankful I've had such wonderful support! Though I didn't ask for it, family and friends have been helping me out monetarily, in addition to well-wishes. I am very appreciative of everything. I didn't want people to give me money or pay for hotel rooms and buy my meals, but after talking to some other hikers, I realize that that is the way others can help me and be a part of this. I must say, selfishly, I accept any offers like that, because I don't want this to end due to lack of funds. I believe I saved enough for the entire trip, and at first, wanted to do this by myself, with only my savings. I think it was a way of feeling independent. But I've come to realize that I need support, not monetarily necessarily, but emotional support from loved ones. I feel good when others are proud of me, and help me improve myself. This hike has made me a better person. I'm learning things about myself every day. ! Just for that reason, this hike has already been a success!Subman, who also started March 1st is well into Maine already! His friend, Pringles, is heading up there to finish the last 120 miles with him. That will be awesome for Subman to have a good friend with him when he finishes. I can't even imagine the emotions that will come with summiting Katahdin. I have envisioned it only once, and I figure I'll cry once I reach the AT sign. I have a long way to go, and am looking forward to all the trail and trail communities have to offer. I am a very lucky person.