Date: 2004-08-02
From: High Point Shelter

To: I am Starving
Miles today: 18.9

I woke up and put on my hiking clothes that were still damp and slimy with sweat. Shortly thereafter, I heard a loud buzzing noise that resembled a worn out air conditioning unit in a cheap motel room. The sound was coming from a huge horsefly that landed on my pants near my thigh. By chance, I was holding a sandal and whacked the fly with it. The horsefly fell to the ground. I bent over to better observe this large fly, the biggest one I have seen on this journey. Suddenly, it flew upwards and took off. I have been wondering where the bats are. During the evenings, I never see them flying about. Bats would reduce the insect population in these woods.Today was hot and muggy again, with more insect attacks. I was bitten by horseflies, a mosquito, and two little green bees.During the morning, I detoured over to the "Secret Shelter," a small cabin on private property that thru hikers are allowed to visit. It is owned by a former thru hiker. There, I took a hot shower and washed with detergent my filthy bandana. The fabric of the bandana was dirty from grime, sweat, and the juices of dead horseflies. When I had crushed the flies with my hand, sometimes their bodies had broken up and their internal fluids had been released on to my hands. I would wipe my hands with the bandana. Come to think if it, I have been wiping my sweaty face with this dirty rag. Yuck!I left the Secret Shelter feeling upbeat thanks to the shower. Minutes later, I walked across some planks that had been constructed over a swamp. I stepped on a loose plank. The other end of the plank rose up like a see saw. The next thing I knew, there was swamp water entering into my hiking shoe.I encountered a southbound thru hiker. His name is "Pisses in Wind."Late in the day, worn out by the heat, the bugs, and the hiking, I wondered if I have been pushing myself too hard. Since leaving Harper's Ferry, WV, I have ramped up my output of mileage due to worries about getting to Baxter State Park before it closes. I have been hiking approximately 20 miles per day. Lately, I have been dragging. Perhaps I ought to slow down to around 15 miles per day.I thumbed a ride to a church hostel in Vernon, NJ. Northbound hikers Carp and Baloo were there. So was a southbound thru hiker whose name I forgot. The southbounder told us that he was tired of hearing northbounders offer him advice about the trail to the south. He said that he already knew all there was to know. I was put off by his attitude but said nothing.I telephoned a client of mine named Megan who lives in a nearby town. She had expressed a desire to hike with me for a day. To my surprise, she and her husband Nils offered to put me up for the night. I accepted the offer, and Nils came to the hostel and drove me to their home.Before supper, I told them that I was starving. At first, they thought that I was referring to my appetite that evening. I explained to them that I had looked at myself in a mirror after taking a shower at the hostel. I appeared way too thin. I am concerned about my inability to consume enough calories. I really am starving.Tomorrow, Nils will hike with me and I will return to their home. On the following day, Megan will hike with me.It feels good to enjoy the company of friends.