Date: 2011-07-16
From: Pine Swamp Brook Shelter

To: Riga Shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: broken clouds

The mileage reflected is actually for two days. I'm in Salisbury, CT now but spent last night at the Limestone Springs Lean-to. Tonight will be at the Riga Shelter just north of Salisbury. Yesterday was a 12.4 mile day officially, but I did an extra half mile down a steep trail through a ravine to the shelter. Than I had to do the same half mile back up this morning to get back to the trail. The shelter was nice, the water from the spring clear and clean and the bear I heard behind the shelter turned out to be a raccoon, so the extra mile was worth it. I also did an extra mile during the day to the Toymaker Cafe for lunch. A couple of cold drinks and an Italian Strata lunch made the remainder of the day pretty easy.Today, I had another deli lunch while I restocked my foodbag. So much for losing weight! OK, this is a touchy feely alert! Those that don't like reading about feelings and lessons can skip this and wait for me to write about near bear experiences and what happens when you start the day with an overloaded egg salad sandwich later.I've had some interesting meditations and revelations the past few days that I'll share here. I was sitting by a standing stone for my morning meditation (picture to come later) and decided it was time to share some of this stuff. As I mentioned in an earlier post, a lady I met named Julie helped me to remember why I was on the trail, but she also unblocked some of the things I'd been holding back. I was thinking about how it was that I connected with her so easily. Anyone that checked out her website can see that she is an attractive woman, but attraction and connection are totally separate experiences. You can also read that she has made a career of life coaching but it was more than just her making me feel comfortable with her. Then I realized, the connection came so easily because she has the same generous, giving spirit that so many of the people that I am close to in my life share. I recognized the spiritual pattern and immediately felt comfortable with her. (Disclaimer: Anytime someone mentions specific people, they run the risk of offending other people by not mentioning them. The following are just some of the people that have blessed my life and not intended to be all inclusive. If you are reading this, you probably belong in the list too.) I realized that my life has been blessed by some amazing people. My parents, brothers and sisters and sons all have that spirit of giving without asking "What's in it for me." In particular, on this journey, Connie and Rusty have been right there with me, Steve has promised to come and fetch me after, Ed jumped in to solve the apartment crisis, Justin came to visit me on the trail and Andrew is holding down the fort at home. Beyond family however, is my extended family. I told Julie that she could have been one of the goddesses. Those that know me know about the goddesses. Lisa, Aila, Laurie, Donna Crazy Ed, Beth and Alison all have that same spirit. By the way, Connie and Susan, you could easily be goddesses. You fit the profile.) They give freely without self interest. They explore what the universe has to offer and try to give back more than they receive. They came into my life when I needed them the most and still are part of my daily thoughts. Other people that have entered my life, even when I only seem them every so often, share the same connection. When I see people like Paula Bickham, Bill Kimmons, Jim and Trish Hatfield, Martha Ballman and Special K, just to name a few, it doesn't matter how long it has been, we are still connected. There is always a hug and an immediate reconnect int he offing. I guess that thing is, while I'm out here, I've realized that I'm truly blessed with some amazing people in my life and I've never been alone, even when I felt that way. So think of someone in your life, whether you see them every day or only so often. Stop by or call them up and let them know that they are important to you. Hug them and tell them that you value their friendship or that you love them or that they are important to you and you're glad that they are in your life. It is a gift, freely given, that returns so much in so many ways.I'll go into more another time about my reflections on relationships, dating (or in the case of the past two years, not dating), acceptance, forgiveness and looking forward. (See, with a lot of time to think, things tend to flow through and around freely.) I have realized that I am close to resolving why I'm out here. I am close to achieving the type of spirit and spiritual awareness of the people I just described. I am reenergized and now I'm hiking with a lighter heart and because I want to, not because I need to. Good thing too, the mountains are getting bigger, but I may have already crossed the biggest one.