Date: 2004-07-21
From: Little Gap

To: Wind Gap
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Have you even seen the movie, "A Bug's Life?" Well, I have and I believe I saw every major character from the movie today. I killed half of 'em, too! Today was a day of many brilliant thoughts (like the one above); today was filled with solitude; today was weird!Todd coaxed me off the couch at 7:00 am with the promise of eggs. Eggs, toast, raspberry jam, Advil and some milk later, I was rarin' to go. Because I would be returning in the evening, I wore Todd's clothes and carried a daypack. By luck, Todd and I wear the same size clothes and shoes. I tried on a pair of low runners for better rock protection and decided to go with them to protect my aching toes. Looking more like Todd than myself, I hopped into the car with him and Amanda.At 7:45 am, they dropped me off at Little Gap and I was instantly greeted by a steep scramble but I took it out quickly. It was 1/2 mile to the top where bad tidings registered in my brain: A) No toilet paper in my daypack; B) I had to go....(gulp). Instead I clenched my buttocks and decided to push....push ahead hiking, that is!!!I skipped over the rocks at high speed reflecting on my own idiocy. I was flying! Three miles later I saw a deer that I scared half out of its wits. It pranced away in shock. At this point the trail became less rocky. The morning was ripening and the sun moved higher in the sky. My stomach was ripening, too! As I walked, I thought of a "plan." If I hike 14.5-miles per day, taking 13 zeros, I finish on October 4th with Miss Janet. My new goal date is October 4th. The trees glistened with a green glow from the sunlight, rocks littered the path on either side; I had come 5.5-miles. I still had to push.As my stomach continued to churn, I tried to pray...it was not working well. I did manage to pray for my friend, Sunshine, and her sick grandmother.Thought: As I walked, I saw two frogs hopping about in a puddle and I saw a butterfly that with its wings closed, looked exactly like a stick. Having seen not one person, and progressing stealthily, I hoped to see a bear, too. It didn't happen. Instead, the trail joined and old road bed for two miles and I picked up the pace and flew. I did see a young girl (14ish) and her younger brother (10ish). I was excited to see people for the first time today. They were not excited...they were petrified...they passed without a word, a staunch solitary hand directed upwards robotically accompanied a look suggesting they feared they were in the presence of a murderer. Sad for me, because they would be the only people I passed all day!I kept a strong pace, my stomach demanded no less. The trail returned once again to rock, but two stubs of the toe notwithstanding, I covered the terrain with ease. With serious doubts that I would make it to the next privy, I began collecting broad leaves. When I was certain I would make it no further, a field on my right posted a glorious sign: SHELTER. With 10.8 miles to my credit, I turned down the trail leading to the shelter, passed a beautiful campsite and spotted a second glorious sign: PRIVY. I bounded up the hill, opened the privy door and wanted to sob in happiness...T.P.! I let the broad leaves fall from my hand.At the shelter, I sat and reflected. The shelter was nice and I had a snack of beef jerky (Thanks, Crazy Pace!) and Skippy (not together) and composed a message for the register. I knew I probably should press on, but I had no clue of the time. I probably chilled there for over half an hour before getting back on the trail at a relieved and more relaxed pace with 4.7-miles to go.The last few miles were grassier, but just as rocky. The whole day I had been moving along a flat, but rocky ridge. Suddenly, my feet were sore and I was tired. With no human interaction during more than 11-miles, I was feeling a bit lonely, too. It's unusual on a Northbound AT hike to cover 10-miles plus without passing another person. But for the rest of the day I didn't see another soul.Two miles later, this solitary experience allowed me to sneak up on two deer; running in circles and chasing and playing together. I was quiet and they were unaware of my presence. A short while later, I descended to the road and a few moments later reached the gap. I smiled; happy my loneliness was over, happy the privy was a success, happy to stop hiking on sore feet.I approached the most helpful postal employee I have dealt with in a month and asked him the time. It was 1:20 pm - I'd hiked 15.5-miles in 5-hours, 35-minutes (with at least a 35-minute shelter break). Wow! I was stunned. I didn't expect my ride until 6:00 pm, so with nothing better to do, I walked into the town of Wind Gap. I found a little Italian place with A/C, bought a Coke and a cheap lunch and sat down to read a month's worth of journals. I didn't move for 3-hours...ahhh! It's amazing how cold air and a Coke are so wonderful after hiking. Before 6:00 pm, I made my way back to the gap to be picked up.Todd was amazed with my time for the day over the rocky stretch. He told me that my replacement tent had arrived, then repeated his comments on how fast I had hiked. Driving home, I could see the ridge walk I had hiked, stretching on forever and the depth of just how far thru-hikers walk, hit me. I smiled, seeing Amanda and Michele as I walked in the door.I was unpacking my gear when Todd realized the insole to my left shoe had been sitting on the counter all day. I had hiked all day with no padding on one foot. Todd reminded me to take Advil. My brain hadn't been on high-power today but my feet certainly were. Before going upstairs, I packed for tomorrow. Todd supplied me with alcohol, a nice snack, more duct tape and chocolate covered espresso beans! God bless Todd; he told me that if he couldn't go to Katahdin, at least his gear would. Crazy Pace is great!Upstairs I ate pierogies, chicken, leftover sausage pasta and washed it down with a glass of Shiraz. As usual, Michele's dinner was wonderful. I read another journal and sang German opera for Amanda. Apparently, this little one likes opera! We played with the border collie and joked. I was part of the family again. Todd, Michele and I finished the night on the back porch with Grand Marnier and a cigar. Todd gave me a cigar to go with the chocolate covered espresso beans. I appreciate the gifts, but I'm going to miss these guys, their friendship and being a part of their family. Wow!In my lonely hiking today, I thought of my many blessings and the people who have helped me along the way. TO: Uncle Bob, Uncle Joe, Carla, Happy, Walk Softly (and family), Miss Janet, The Mill Restaurant, Krispy and Jackie, The HogPen Gap Trail Magic Guys, Trail Angel**, Micki and Scotty, Doug and Nate (and crew), The Doyle, Billville, Dad and everyone who has written/helped me, and of course, Todd, Michele and Amanda: THANK YOU ALL!!! I am overwhelmed by the kindness I have received. My love to you all!GoodnightBeatbox ttt