Date: 2013-08-17
From: North Adams, MA

To: Congdon Shelter, VT
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: overcast clouds

At 1:30 in the morning I got up to use the bathroom and when I tried to fall asleep again I couldn't because Limpin' Eagle and another hiker were talking too loud. I really, really did not want to go ask them to be quiet (as I'm you've caught on, I'm not confrontational), but finally I got up and, as nicely and as firmly as I could, asked, "Could you please lower your voices? Some of us have big miles to do tomorrow and I can hear you talking even with my earplugs in." Then Limpin' said, "Oh baby I'm sorry" (he's from Missour-a, he calls every woman "baby") and I impulsively gave him a peck on the cheek, said thanks, and went back to bed. I wanted to pat myself on the back. That was so hard for me but I'm glad I did it! Poppins is getting stronger! I went back to bed. And then in the tent next to me, Memphis started snoring. (Go figure.) I could only laugh. It still took a long time to fall back asleep.As I predicted, I woke up at the crack of dawn and couldn't fall back asleep. I was tired and in a bad mood and unhappy that I didn't just hike out of town yesterday after dinner. But I had no one to blame except myself. I made breakfast and kinda ignored Snakebite who was too upbeat for my mood (that's another nice thing about him, he's so positive, but this morning it was not what I was in the mood to hear). All I was thinking was, "I want to hike alone today!" So, probably feeding of the courage I had last night, I decided to tell him that I didn't want to hike with anyone (him included). I said I was tired of being around people. Finally he seemed to understand. I don't know why that was so hard for me to do!Soon everyone was up and joking and my mood improved. A few guys ran to Dunkin' for some donuts and coffee to share with everyone, and my mood improved even more :-). Snakebite was all packed up and seemed to be waiting for me, as usual, but I wasn't packed up yet. I felt a little headachy and went over to a bench that was set off to the side of the yard and sat down. I wanted to journal, read, pray, whatever, until he left. He came over and said he realized he hadn't taken a zero since Port Clinton, PA, and he had a friend somewhere he wanted to see so he was going to take a zero. He said he still wanted to buy me dinner (he had told me earlier in the week he wanted to take me out for dinner) and that he liked me, which I already knew. Finally he asked if he could give me a hug and I did since I still want to be friends with him. And then he said he'd see me in a few days up the trail...Then he left. And I felt much better after that. Bill and his wife fired up the grill and served us cheeseburgers and hotdogs for lunch at 11am. Non-stop eating today! I found out that the other two female hikers there, Mama Smurf and Polly, were going to jump up to New Hampshire because they each had obligations that would take them off the trail early. And I found out Memphis was leaving as well, as his knees were bothering him and he wanted to be able to play Frisbee golf when he got home. At noon I left. It was unbelievably great to be hiking alone. I sang out loud, which I never do when I'm hiking with people. Sure I was tired but I could do whatever I wanted. It was a nice, sunny day and I was happy. Soon Ahvoh caught up to me and we hiked into Vermont, taking photos at the sign for the beginning of the Long Trail. It's so great to finally be in Vermont, a state I had never visited before, but it sure was muddy!! We hiked on and saw Midway off into the woods taking a break, so we joined her. Soon Papa Smurf, Rambles, Zeus, and Ripper came by and we all hung out and ate a snack. A fun group. We all stayed in or near the Congdon Shelter, built in the '60s and had a nice evening together.