Date: 2003-08-19
From: Jug End Road

To: Stealth Campsite
Miles today: 16.4

Wow! What an awesome day!! :) I woke up at 5:30 when my alarm went off, but didn't get moving till a little later. I was quite cozy in my sleeping bag, and it was so quiet that I didn't want to start getting my stuff packed up. Because I wrap everything in plastic and baggies, I make a lot of noise when I'm packing. I got some stuff together, then went to get my food bag from the shelter so I could have breakfast. Gerri had gotten cinnamon rolls yesterday and divided them among us...they were a bit squished, but very yummy. I chatted for a bit with Sci Girl, Deacon Blues and Little Bear, who had come in last night after Deacon Blues. They had all done over 23 miles yesterday, and were looking forward to a shower and laundry at the hostel in Great Barrington. It was getting late, so I went back to my tent and finished packing. I had planned on being on the Trail by 6:30, but didn't get going till 7. It felt good to be hiking so early, and I really almost knew that! I could do the mad miles I needed to do. I had the first 2 miles done in 40 minutes, but that involved mostly a descent from the shelter. On a clear descent (one that is fairly free of roots, rocks and any other obstructions), I like to do what I call free falling, which is a slow running pace downhill. It's something I haven't been able to do much for awhile due to the terrain, but I was able to this morning. Then, I started uphill. The good thing about today was that all of the ups were either right at the beginning, or after I had already visited with my family. I stopped briefly to look at a mileage sign and felt a sharp pain in my right calf. I looked down to see a yellow jacket, searching for another place to sting me. I yelled and managed to get it off of me. Not the most auspicious thing to happen...I moved on, with some definite pain at the sting site. I could see Chick Flick at the top of the hill I was about to climb. She's a much faster hiker than I !usually am, so I figured if I tried to pace her, I could make good time. The ascent was somewhat steep, but went well. Before I knew it, I was at the first shelter, where I'd planned on breaking. When I got there, Chick Flick was there, having a snack. We chatted for a bit, then she got ready to go. I told her that my family would be providing Trail Magic, and asked her to tell them, if she saw them before I did, that I was right behind her. She said she would, then left. I read the register, used the privy and moved on as well. The day and the miles just seemed to fly by...I had such a good hiking groove going. Before I knew it, I was free falling down another perfect descent, to take my second break. I had promised myself, after the day I met Nuts and Twigs, that I would give myself the breaks I needed and not worry about the time. That day, I started to get headache-y and stumbly because I really needed to re-fuel, but didn't stop. Not that breaking appropriately stopped me from falling today...I still did that. I scraped up my! knee, and got stuck momentarily in "beetle" position, but was able to get up and carry on. It was just about 1:00 when I started my last mile...I was ahead of schedule...yay! As I hiked out onto the road, Dad and Seester were getting out of the car...perfect timing! It was so awesome to see them, and to give them big, nasty, sweaty hugs (hehehe). Chick Flick, Pushing Up Daisies and Flatlander were at the same crossing, taking advantage of some Trail Magic left by Circus. I told them there'd be more. We sat and ate sandwiches, watermelon and zebra cakes, and drank sodas while talking about the day's hike and catching up on home/family stuff. It was nice to just sit and relax...I'd done 14.3 miles in just over 6 hours...pretty good for me! Chick Flick left and Pop-O came through. A round of picture taking ensued. Pop-O has decided to follow closely behind me, as he's benefitted twice now from Trail Magic associated with me. He left, and Viking arrived. He stayed !for a short while, then he, Flatlander and Pushing Up Daisies all left. I got to spend at least an hour of alone time with Seester and Dad. We were waiting for Gerri and Randy, as well, so that the three of us could continue on from there. They showed up at about 4:30, and had some of everything. They were also glad to rest for a bit. Overall, though, we all agreed it'd been a good day hiking. We watered up, and I packed my backpack, which was laden with resupply stuff that Seester had brought. We said our goodbyes...I'll see Seester and maybe Dad again when I go home the first weekend in September. It was hard to leave, but we still had time to do another couple of miles before dark, so we started out again. My pack was soooooo heavy! We got two ups out of the way, so we won't have to start out with an uphill in the morning. Rumbler (he and Hiker Biker Babe had shown up just as my family were leaving) helped us locate a good stealth campsite, and we set up before dark. I was feeling a bit nauseous due to more sugar than I probably! should have consumed, so I just had some beef jerky for dinner, while Randy and Gerri had ramen noodles. Now I'm very toasty in my sleeping bag, and getting ready to hit the hay...I should sleep well tonight! Many, many thanks to my fabu Seester and fabu Dad for coming to see me and bringing such awesome Trail Magic! It was SO good to see you (even if you didn't recognize me, Seester!)!! I hope your trips home were safe, and I'll see you soon! :)