Date: 2008-07-08
From: Manchester Center, VT

To: Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, awake by 6:30 a.m. again. Where are my days of sleeping in? Will they ever find me again?Wow, it is so amazing what 2 full days of dinkin' around a cool town, showering, eating GOOD food, and using a flushing toilet can do for you. I'm really excited about getting back out there tomorrow.First things first, after reading the overwhelmingly consistent opinions of so many of my "been there done that" readers, I started taking the Doxycycline this morning, that I've been carrying since Bear Mtn., NY. It just makes sense. I did find about 5 ticks total on me, so it's a fact I could have been exposed. I had a red splotch on my arm (never saw a tick there though), the doctor actually did not test me, she just looked @ me, and on hindsight, I should have insisted I be tested, and I'm hearing reports every single time I get into town now of another hiker off the trail and in the hospital.The most recent is Hearts, from PA. I first met him and Tupperware on top of Mt. Everret, back in MA, and Hearts commented on how that climb kicked his butt and how he felt like puking. I found out that on (I think) Glastenbury Mtn., he climbed the firetower with his friends and suddenly started feeling horrible. He went to the doc and they treated him for Giardia. He felt better in a few days, got back out, hiked 10 miles, and started puking. He hiked BACK the 10 miles to town, and now is in the hospital with what they "think" is meningitis caused by Lyme Disease.See folks, what's happening is we all just hiked thru the most deer tick infested states, and people are now starting to show signs of the disease here in VT. I'm taking no chances, but do wonder what happens if I don't have Lyme, take the antibiotics, and then contract it further up the trail. I wonder if these antibiotics will stay in my system till the end, or if it would make another round less potent. That's my concern.Also, I went to Rite-Aid and bought some Flintstone's chewable vitamins with iron and calcium. I had a woman tell me prenatal vitamins are actually the best for replenishing, so I compared the Flintstones with the prenatal, and if I chew 2 Flintstones each morning, I'll equal or have a bit more of the same vitamins. Started those today too.So I really believe that now, with the antibiotics, vitamins, more calories each day and my renewed positive attitude, I'll be just fine.So thanks to all of you who are more able to look @ my situation objectively. When you're out here, it's easy to convince yourself there's nothing going on.I will admit that I 100% believe the lack of energy was caused by not enough food and my mental fatigue which was partially manifesting itself as that infamous hiker wall, but, I've not come this far to have to go home for Lyme when I'm carrying the meds in my pack you know? I'd kick myself in the ass forever if hat happened you know?So, I got up and decided I needed some sort of breakfast egg sandwich. You have no idea how wonderful it is to get up, have a craving, and be able to walk around the corner and satiate it. I ended up at this cool cafe called The Lawyer and the Baker.I walked in and first thing on the menu is a breakfast sandwich! I ordered one, and then I noticed a fresh pan of quiche, and asked about it. She said it was asparagus, ham, and swiss cheese, so I ordered some of that too, and a coffee. She asked if I wanted the side salad that came with the quiche, and I'm like...heck yes! So the meal seemed a little high in price for ordering a sandwich and a small side of quiche, but I was like whatever. I sat down, and she brought the sandwich to me, and goes, "Here, we'll get you started with this first." Then I realized why the price was higher, I said, "Oh..did I just order 2 full entrees?" (as in what 2 people would normally order) and she smiled and goes, "Yes, but it's ok..you need the protein." I about died lauging. How ridiculous is that? LOL I'M OUT OF CONTROL PEOPLE! I sat there by myself with 2 plates of food in front of me, people were walking by and sort of staring, and I ate it ALL! The quiche was no little squ! are, but my gosh was it good. I freakin love quiche. I'm going to get more quiche before I hike out tomorrow.So then I walked down to Rite-Aid, got the vitamins, but they didn't have any small tubes of sunblock, so I went to The Mountain Goat and found some. See, with Doxycycline, you aren't supposed to be in the sunlight for long periods, and that's sort of a problem for me as a hiker, but luckily I hike under tree cover a lot, and I should be finished with the meds by the time I hit the Whites.Lizard, who is a red head, has taken the stuff before and she actually suggested I hike with a long sleeved shirt because she really burned, but we don't know if that's because she's a red head too. So, I'll lather up with sunblock while I'm taking this stuff.And now I find myself in the awesome Northshire Bookstore, which has a cafe and large seating area upstairs (no public computer though). I'm drinking a favorite, lemon San Pellegrino and I'm reflecting on something that I've found very frustrating about trail culture.One of the things I cherish most about this community are its people. I was trying to figure out why exactly I prefer to stay to myself as opposed to hooking up with a group, as so many people do. Besides the obvious light sleeping issue, I realized I am becoming increasingly frustrated with the lack of "real" conversations with other hikers. It's not to say they haven't happened, but most of my real conversations have been with day and section hikers or local towns people.See, there is 1 aspect of the hiking culture that (sadly to me) is a sure fire way to make friends if you indulge, and that is alcohol.I've thought about every single hiker I've talked to other than the normal exchange of trailname and home state, and as soon as you go to the next step and stories are being swapped, I find myself standing there having to endure yet another story of how shitfaced hiker "x" got in town, or how they packed out a 6-pack and got shitfaced @ the shelter, and "how awesome it was."Hey, I like wine and I enjoyed a margarita 2 nites ago. I have zero problems with alcohol, and I don't ultimately care if hiker x decides to hike the entire trail shitfaced, but with the exception of the talk I had with Tupperware and Hearts on Mt. Everett, it's ALL I hear about, and I have no patience or tolerance for "surface" conversation.I don't mean someone should meet you and immediately start talking about the meaning of life, but this trend runs into people who are used to helping hikers too. You go into towns and you immediately get a report on the best bars in town, or you get a shuttle or ride from someone who has hiked the trail before, and they tell you all of the towns ahead of you that you should stop at because of the bars and pubs.I am not judging, so understand this. Here's what this does though, to me. It makes me feel disconnected from the very community I belong to, because I can't appreciate these stories, nor do I have a desire to "join the group" just to fit in. For me, it takes every ounce of energy in a totally healthy state, to hike 15 miles a day. I personally can't ask this of my body if it has been compromised by getting drunk\dehydrated. It goes back to this whole concept of knowing yourself for me.All of these people obviously know that they can do this, and enjoy it, but wow, I can't believe how much of a topic it is everywhere I go, and then I have to wonder if the only thing so many of them are getting out of hiking this trail is a portfolio of "awesome" drunken stories. And that is of course, their perogative and not my issue at all.I know opening this particular can of worms could potentially start a fire fight, but you all have to understand, my point isn't that I think anyone is "wrong" for choosing the party train. My whole point is how I'm sometimes personally saddened because I'd hoped for more depth and realness out here, and I feel a bit out of place at times.So I hike alone usually, I camp alone usually, I go to towns and try to socialize just to find myself not wanting to hang out because I'm not sure how many more times I'll be able to give that courtesy, "Oh, wow," response before I just lose it and point out the lack of substance in the conversations, and trust me..when I give one of my passionate opinions, people generally hear me.Perhaps I haven't found the right people and by pulling back, I can't find them. Perhaps there are a lot of other hikers who feel the same way, but give in to the peer pressure so they can feel a sense of belongingness.When I talk to you, I want to know about YOU. I want to know what this has been like, what do you think about, have you faced struggles, has it been what you expected it to be...etc. And I know I know..a whole lot of people just aren't comfortable sharing personal stuff, and by now, you all know I have no problems with it, considering some of the stuff I've written about in this journal.So then I ask why? And my answer is that it boils down a lot to a fear of being judged by other people. Why do people submit to peer pressure? Why do people choose to join instead of stand out? Because it's uncomfortable being the odd ball, the different one. Probably none of us has gone through life and been spared that experience though, it is one of the ways that you develop your sense of self I think, by being challenged to make an independent choice, or go with the crowd.So anyways...it is true, if you want to find a mobile party that travels 2175 miles, you'll have absolutely no problem finding it, and you'll be in the majority. If that's not your bag, trust that there are those of us that are out here for other reasons..you'll just have to look a little harder to find us.Tomorrow I hike, I have to go pack up now.~Certain