Date: 2015-08-01
From: Lincoln

To: Lincoln
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I can't believe that it isAUGUST. That just seems impossible.Also, I can't wait until I am NOT ALWAYS HUNGRY anymore.Today is my four month trailiversary. I did not, however, return to the trail today.The term "vortex" has been used by some hikers to describe the phenomenon of being distracted from the hike. Getting sucked into a zero day or taking a short day by temptations such as ice cream, hostels, laundry... anything! I get "vortexed" by pizza on occasion.I like to think that mom and Dan experienced vortexing this weekend. Rather than returning home today, they decided to extend their mini-vacation to Lincoln, NH by a day. This was mostly motivated by their desire to not have to drive the bike home in the rain , but I like to think that they REALLY just wanted to hang out with me for my off-trailiversary. Awesome, no? Another fat, lazy weekend for Red Panda. I could use some extra soul-soothing and hugs before I head off to finish the rest of the Whites, which are guaranteed to be rough. It will also be my last time spent with them before Katahdin. KATAHDIN. 373 MILES LEFT. Really. Freaking. Outrageous.In celebration of my trailiversary, we decided to get tickets to the play Pippin, which we saw advertised when we walked through town. This was a weekend of walking around town, hiker style, since only two people can fit on the bike at a time.Pippin is my mom's favorite musical. She saw it on Broadway in high school and I think it kind of became an obsession. I have seen Pippin maybe three times now. Once was at Brown, and it was performed in a bizarre futuristic robot style. Once was a high school production. The third was this winter, in Hartford, with the Broadway cast (circus themed this time). We had tried to see it in NYC at one point, attempting to get rush tickets at the theater the morning of the show, but failed to arrive early enough (sad!). But it worked out in the end. One day while I was doing AT prep and mom was getting ready for work, we heard a commercial for... Pippin!Anyway, Pippin has become a thing in my family. When Chris and I were getting to know each other and asking a zillion different questions, he asked what my favorite musical was (his is West Side Story). I answered Pippin. I actually haven't seen too many musicals.I feel like Pippin is fairly appropriate for my life at this point. Quick synopsis (also I will spoil the ending... Sorry...) follows:Pippin, the son of King Charlemagne, is searching for his purpose in life. He knows that he is extraordinary human being, with extraordinary potential.Pippin, invited to be the scholar of the house at university, knows that what he's looking for can't be found in books (AND BOY DO I FEEL THAT ONE. Four years at college made me want to run away from studying for quite a while. I love learning but the world of academia was too much for me to take sometimes). Pippin refuses to settle for something small. No commonplace, ordinary pursuits for him. He wants to find something COMPLETELY FULFILLING. He strives to find his purpose in life. He wants to find a place where his spirit can run free.In his struggle to achieve greatness, Pippin heads off to war, seeking power and glory. Turns out, that's not for him. So, at the suggestion of his grandmother, he stops worrying so much and focuses on life's simple joys. He revels in his youth and enjoys a bit of sexual experimentation. Turns out that doesn't bring Pippin fulfillment. Taking over the kingdom doesn't really work out, either. Art isn't his calling. Neither is religion.Poor Pippin just can't find happiness. He just can't figure it out. He feels empty, and vacant. No total fulfillment for this prince.I feel for the guy. I can't figure it out, either.That's not to say that I think I'm extraordinary. Or that I feel empty and vacant. I am, however, experimenting with adventure after adventure to try and figure out LIFE (I never will, I know. That just means more adventures for me!). And nothing is perfect. I don't know what will bring me fulfillment, either. But I am enjoying the journey.Okay, here's the twist. In the end, after changing his mind a million times, Pippin realizes that he is happiest living a simple, ordinary life. A widow and her son take him in, and put him to work doing everyday, ordinary tasks.At first, he resists being a boring, everyday citizen. He wants to flee, to escape the trap of being a common person with a life that lacks ANY extraordinary qualifies.But in the end, Pippin slowly falls in love. He becomes part of a family. He realizes that settling down isn't so bad, that he has finally found happiness. Maybe he doesn't need to be extraordinary, after all.THE SIMPLE THINGS IN LIFE MAKE TRUE HAPPINESS.What a commentary on human nature. IT SPEAKS TO ME.More thoughts of the future abound. Of course I want the comfort of a family someday. I don't know if I want kids (at this point, I'm going with no). I don't have a boyfriend and I still don't think I want one at this point. But someday... WHO KNOWS.Not going to worry about it now. But I love that Pippin reflects that struggle that so many of us have... Our youth is full of wild and outrageous dreams, and then eventually we end up perfectly happy just living life in comfort with another.So today was a good day. I called the Glencliff post office to inquire about my mail drop, and they told me that they take all hiker boxes to the nearby hostel (which has more convenient hours but what the heck?!). So I called the hostel and they actually offered to bring it to Chet's hostel in Lincoln, right near our hotel! Magic! Awesome!Of course, a few hours later, when Dan and I stopped to pick my box up, it wasn't there. Chet was awesome and called the other hostel to ask about the box. They said they would bring it later in the evening, so I asked Chet to call me when they dropped it off.Then, I showed Dan what a deal AT hostel looks like, and said hello to Chat Cat, who wandered by, looking very different after a haircut and a shave. So different!Dan and I chatted briefly with Pterodactyl, who had been dispensing trail magic during the week and who hopes to thru-hike next year. He recognized my name and seemed a little surprised by me.I think he expected me to be quieter, since I am becoming the queen of stealth camping and solo hiking. I will admit that when I am alone and on the trail, I am less likely to want to engage in conversation. Today, however, I was with Dan and had SO MUCH FREE TIME. Plenty of time to relax and talk.Also, I probably come across as a total nutcase over the internet with my poop and panty stories. I am not QUITE as crazy in real life. Maybe. I can be pretty frantic sometimes though.Mom and Dan and I wandered around Lincoln some more, and had Mexican food as a trailiversary celebration lunch (since there will be no Taco Sunday as they are headed home tomorrow morning). I had amazing fajitas and left not only stuffed, but also with leftovers! I was soon hungry again, though....I heard from Chris today, too! He is still a few days behind me. What will I do if I don't see Chris again before Katahdin?! It is good that he is taking things easy, because he had so much trouble with his feet for a while. At the same time, he'll never catch up!On our way to Pippin, we stopped to grab some diaper cream for my chafing issues (awesome suggestion, I hope it works!).My legs are stiff and tight and I am sure that tomorrow's steep ascent will NOT be pleasant, but I am so glad to have enjoyed a wonderful weekend.We also swung by Chet's again to pick up my box. It was there this time! Hooray! Chat Cat was still there. I had to rudely break from conversation with him, crying "Sorry, we have to go!" over my shoulder, so we wouldn't be late for the play.I am grateful for another good day, and for family, and salsa. I am thankful for a bed to sleep in and sandals on my feet (I feel so free!). I am thankful that I am not quite as lost as Pippin. I am thankful that I am finding fulfillment through my time on the trail.