Date: 2004-07-29
From: Culver's Gap/Branchville NJ

To: Sunrise Mountain Pavillion
Miles today: 5.4

I am lost in a time long ago, in a land far away, in a story of romance...today I hiked 5.4 miles. Why? Oh yes, because I took a 6 hour break and read the last 325 pages of Pride and Prejudice. What is wrong with me? Today included I have hiked 33.7 miles in the last 7 days. I sure loved my book though . I awoke in the Forrest Motel at 9 am, but did not move until 10:30. The room was not beautiful but my stay was still far better than my stay at Cobman ridge 2 nights ago. Sunshine looked rough while I felt fine. We stood on the road for about 20 minutes before a kind business man pulled a u-turn to give us a hitch. 4 minutes later we thanked him and hit the trail. As is often Sunshine and my routine, we started the day hiking quietly.    As I walked I prayed and thanked God for the day. I reflected on my joy in not drinking to excess yesterday, but also in the apparent pointlessness of the day. From there I continued to pray. The walk was more shady than it has been recently with far more pine. I love the feeling of pine needles as a cushion on the trail. I heard sounds more than once and turned hoping to see my first bear...as of tonight this still has not happened. None the less my first 2 miles were quite pleasant and filled with meditation, until I reached a fire tower with 2 coolers.    Coolers signify one thing to a hiker: trail magic. My mouth filled with saliva as I opened the first to find: trash. Still with a sense of optimism I opened the second: more trash . Saddened by my unfulfilled hope I saw 4 people at a picnic table. I am horrible with names but they were a male and female camp leader with 2 boy scouts. As we talked they gave me an orange...yay trail magic after all . I beatboxed for the boys who loved it (I love performing!). Right then Sunshine walked by and said "urghh"...which I roughly translate to mean "hi". Shorrtly thereafter I said godbye to the friendly group and hiked on back in my own little world.    I was walking quickly and enjoying the pine far more than the rocks. After about an hour I decided to take a break by my friend Sweetleaf who I saw on the side of the trail. I met Sweetleaf on my 4th day, and as always she was exceedingly friendly. We joked a little, talked about the day's itinerary (I did not have one), and commented on the near perfect weather. It had to be around 80 degrees with low humidity and I was resting in a bed of pine. As Sweetleaf kindly departed I made a decision: I would read for a while. I nestled myself on my sleeping pad and Sunshine soon arrived. Since I am generally faster I told him to hike on and that I would catch up....oops!   At first I would read only 50 pages, but what will happen to gallant Bingley or sweet Jane? The scout group walked by me and commented on my apparent comfort; I wished them well. Ok I thought, 50 more...but who is the scoundrel, Wickham or Darcy? Then a group of loud young teens walked by me. One of them states: "I wish I could hike by reading in the woods." Another young boy asks:"where are you coming from?" From Georgia to Maine I reply. "Miss, Miss, that man over there is walking from Georgia to Maine...WOW...I thought 2 days was a lot...goodbye mister!" After a smile I begin to read and daze off...as I awake I immediately resume where I last paused. I was so lost in the world of Romance, Comedy, and ever heightening plot.   At 7:15 "Tennessee Jack" walked by. I figured it was about 4:30 pm...he reawakened me to the real-world time...oops! Knowing I would not catch up to Sunshine I quickly packed up and sped onward. As I pondered about my pride, my deep longing for romance, the balance of sweetness, intelligence, and independence in a woman...I could probably spend half of my life pondering such without achieveing any clarity on the topic. Instead of further ponderings I gave God a simple prayer: That he knowing my heart would take these desires and answer them in his plan. I thought of Jeremiah 29:11-14 as I reached the pavillion at the pinnacle of the ridge called Sunrise Mountain. Feeling blessed and with a massive desire to discover the resolution of my book, I stopped. "I will have to catch up to Sunshine tomorrow, after all I have no light and nightfall is nearing." With that resolution I greeted a couple I saw there on top of the ridge.   As I introduced myself "Tennessee Jack" arrived, he would stop as well. The couple was sweet and from the area. There names were Ron and Tina and we discussed many aspects of the trail. Tennessee Jack threw in many of his poinions (a few of which I actually agreed with ) and the conversation seemed it would never end. My feeling was in no way a reflection of them or Tennessee Jack, but rather my immense desire to discover the fate of Darcy and Elizabeth. Finally I could take no more and I excused myself to go read before it was dark. As I did, Tennessee Jack did me a huge favor - he lent me his lamp...YAY I COULD FINISH!   I have just now finished the book and it is dark. I crept around to quietly cook dinner and hang a bear bag. My head is still lost despite discovering the resolution I so desired to come to fruition. I will say noting more than this about Pride adn Prejudice: It is the best Romance/Comedy that I have ever read. I finished it in 2 sittings and I loved it.    Tomorrow I will pay for my lapse into fantasy. I enjoy hiking with Sunshine but I may have to cover 29 miles to find him. I have no clue where he is tonight. For now I will drift away into dreams of which I believe I know the subject already. To my friends Sweet Dreams! I will close with a poem:Big MilesGonna do big miles, its true in my heartGonna do big miles, its true as I startUh oh its getting late, no reason for sorrowI'll make up the miles, I didn't do tomorrowTomorrow comes with rain, I am getting wetIf I stop I will be dry, and not quite so upsetThis town here is lovely, it seems to be so niceIf I take a zero day, I can stay here twiceThe hotel room is paid for, might as well start lateOn the trail by noon, yes that would be greatIm so far behind...that in just a little whileI'll Lie to myself again: I'm gonna do big miles.I'm gonna do big miles tomorrow. Goodnight, Beatbox   ttt