Date: 2003-07-25
From: Robin Larson's House

To: Kent, CT
Miles today: 0.0

   When Robin dropped me off at Arden Lakes Rd. by Lake Tiriorati, I had awareness in the front of my mind...as I walked, I tried to use wide angle vision and notice EVERYTHING around me. I stopped a few times to observe animals (chipmunks, a rabbit, and a family of deer) and the tracks that they'd made. I got to the shelter 4 miles in and took a break. Back on the trail. After a snack and some water, I hit the trail again...in another 4 miles, I passed a road and came to an awfully familiar building--the one we stayed next to at Fat Fest for sure! In all of my concious awareness, I'd gone south out of the shelter and was EXACTLY where I'd started. After the initial frustration wore off, I realized that it was a good lesson. Maybe intent DOES shape reality--I was paying so much attention to small details that the big picture seemed to drift by--or was I really paying attention to detail at all. If I was, surely I would have noticed passing by the same stuff in reverse order! Thinking about awareness is definitely not the same thing as being aware. I'll have to work on that...   So after the 12-mile day that ended up being 4 miles of progress, I woke up from an awesome sleep to Kodiak and Litewalker strolling in. We hiked together up and over bear mountain in some view-killing fog and down to the Bear Mtn. Inn where Fal and Hercules--thru hikers from '99 had some trail magic waiting for us. After a Hamburger, a braught (sp?), which is a sausage-looking thing, a hooked up hotdog, and some other treats, I hit the PO up for my package with Long Trail books in it. I headed up the trail and through the zoo where Carolina Cruiser got some flash action on film to be used in his documentary.    The first rain of the evening saw me into the shelter outside of Graymoor Friary--an hour too late for the free AYCE supper with the monks which was at 5:30 sharp. All was well though, I wouldn't have been able to do justice to any all-you-can-eat deal--my system was still working on that awesome trail magic lunch. As I cooked my good ol' lipton noodles, the sky opened up and I enjoyed a pleasant rain and lightning show from a nice dry place.   The 19 miles that I did the next day really welcomed me back to the trail...the mountains let me know beyond the shadow of a doubt that I'd gotten out of shape on my week off. I beat the storm to the lake. I was able to get a pleasant dip before the thunder got too loud...washing the soap smells off of my body made a big difference in my level of comfort. Keeping my mind off of the rear chafe, I strolled into the RPH shelter where there were cookies, chips, and sausage gravy...what a hard life!    After a late start the next morning, we took advantage of a deli .3 miles off of the trail for lunch. 11 miles after that, I made the telephone pioneers' shelter my evening abode. Great company there: rambler, litewalker, Kodiak, and a trail Hobo, Ruby, and her dog, Jane.    The next morning we passed the Dover Oak, a monster of a tree--the biggest on the trail. Not too long after, we passed the Appalachian Trail Railroad Station which was nothing more than a bench and a bulletin board. Litewalker and I took advantage of a hot dog stand across the street. The Everything Dog--chili,cheese, onions, relish, and FREEDOM CABBAGE. heh.    Last night we camped .3 miles South of town. I'm writing from the library here in Kent, CT after a hearty omlette breakfast. Hall passed through here a week ago...apparantly some folks have started calling him Green Leaf for some reason. I'll look forward to hearing of his adventures. Where's Hall now? Nobody knows.    Goat has told me that TEAM plans to summit on the 15th of September...should I push 20 mile days for the remainder of the trail? 16 mile days seem a lot more pleasurable...but it's only 4 miles less a day. I guess I'll just keep walking and go where the trail leads me. I think I'll go with Tom's advice and try to be more of a human being rather than a human doing...I may not have that opportunity again for a while. We'll see. Off to the post office.