Date: 2008-08-06
From: Dunfield Creek Footbridge

To: Blue Mt Lake Road
Miles today: 16.0

After a rainy night I woke to a quiet foggy morning that took my breath away. ! I spent several minutes taking some pictures of the ferns and the forest and the fog, resting my camera on my ridgerest thermarest since the shutter speed was so slow. The dark trunks of the trees against the white fog looks like a painting. I was on the trail and walking by 6:30, excited to see what the day would bring. The forest is so peaceful after a rain and in the morning, and the fog makes it magical. The path was wide and uphill, though for once, a gradual ascent. Soon I was walking in a section with blueberry bushes on both sides of the trail. My gosh, it doesn't get any better than that! They were bursting with ripe berries, wet and rain-washed. I had all I could do to not stop every two seconds. I ran into a southbound thru-hiker. How interesting to stop and compare notes! It really is a cool thing that we both have the same goal, only are walking in opposite directions. We talked a few minutes and then wished each other good luck and headed on our way. Now, at 9:20 am I sit comfortably beside Sunfish Pond, the first glacial lake to be encountered as we head north. The fog has not quite lifted and the water is mirror-still. As I approach the sandy beach I hear many frogs hopping into the water. And walking to this spot! My gosh, I saw some of the biggest bullfrogs ever, some the size of grapefruit, just sitting beside the shore. I also saw three small water snakes on rocks, trying to warm up, should the sun ever break free of the fog. The trail follows the edge of the pond! How wonderful this is and so what if there are lots of rocks to deal with! I can handle it if it's to get us to a place such as this. I love walking along the pond's edge, hearing the splash of frogs hiding, looking for animals among the grasses. 10:24 am Am lollygagging again! Stopped at a rushing stream to soak my weary feet. How good this feels! 7 minutes is my limit and then I will hike on. 3:07pm My gosh, what's a lollygagger to do?? The temptations are everywhere!! Blueberries, streams, mushrooms, frogs... I can't seem to get anywhere! I had lunch .4 of a mile from the trail, at the Mohican Outdoor Center. I sat in the big conference room, had two girls there to keep me company. One was playing the piano and the other the guitar. Some singing every once in a while. Then their mother joined us, she was scrapbooking and we talked a few minutes as I finished up my lunch. Lunch, by the way was a turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread with lettuce and tomato, a bag of doritoes and a snapple, for dessert a double reeses peanut butter cup. Yum! Then, as if I hadn't lollygagged enough, I stopped and chatted with Richard for a long time. We talked about snakes and natural history things and hiking. Eventually I headed out, full and content. What a great way to break up my day. I love this way of doing things! Now, at 3:07 I sit at the top of a mountain, at the very top of a tall firetower. My Outdoor Explorers would LOVE it! My friend, Joyce, would not! But it is so grand! Like being on top of the world. I have it all to myself, just the rush of the wind and the soaring vultures to keep my company. I am sitting here at the top, just looking out at the mountains, some which I have surely been on top of. The cloud is filled with white puffy clouds, mixed with a brilliant blue. There are lakes and the Delaware River in the distance, along with houses and roads and powerlines. But mostly what I see is green, green and more green, forested mountains that give me hope. I love this day! I love being out here, love the freedom of my schedule. The wind is constant up here but it's a warm one that feels heavenly on this hot muggy day. I wish I could bottle this feeling and save it for days when I need some positive energy. I appreciate more than ever before being out here and giving myself this most incredible experience. How lucky I am! Sometimes, especially lately, other things have gotten in the way but today--today I feel rich beyond measure. 4:47pm I can't get anywhere today!! Now I'm at a beaver pond--the lodge out in the middle is surrounded by lilypads. I see no signs of recent beaver activity so the beavers have likely moved on, left the pond to the turtles and frogs and dragonflies. The dragonflies! My gosh, they are so beautiful, in every color, darting around in the sunlight. I love watching them, like little helicopters they are, fast and bold. And the swallows flit from one dead tree or stalk to another, their feathers shining in the sun. So graceful they are. And get this!!!!! It is a bug free zone! I am enjoying my pack of skittles, soaking up the sun, looking out at the pond. It doesn't get any better than this. Two guys with some young kids just passed. They saw me sitting here, just off the trail, leaning against my pack. One guy says to me, "You going on a hike too?" and I reply, "Yeah." You could say that! 4