Date: 2003-06-27
From: Vernon, NJ

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: light rain

Itchy owed me breakfast, so I looked for a great sit-down place. All we could find open at this early hour was Dunkin' Donuts. It would do, even the eggs were pre-formed and microwaved...Itchy was pessimistic about our hitch back to the Trailhead, esp. when B-Roc joined us on the corner. I, of course, was optimistic. The Trail has its own mojo, and things just seem to work out.We quickly got a hitch from a private ambulance van. The driver spoke little English, but was friendly and pleasant, eager to help us out. It was touching.We sling on our packs and cross a grassy meadow, the dew sparkling off the grass. Then the long, hot climb out of Vernon. I was dripping in minutes. Very steep. So much for shower and laundry. I was very glad to be doing this climb first thing in the morning. The heat from my skin just radiated.Half-way up, a small miracle - a little spring flowing from under a boulder, crystal clear, icy cold. There have been very few springs in NJ. I exclaim my gratitude and dip my bandana into the flow, sponging off with the frigid water. Relief! My head had been about to explode, my skin could hardly bear the touch of the pack, and now I felt invigorated.I've been aware of feeling very happy lately. Last night's cool hostel in the church basement was a most pleasant experience, a good mix of hikers, all sleeping on the vast, carpeted floor. It suddenly hit me, one reason why the AT is so much fun. Who else, as grownups, gets to sleep on the floor with their friends? I mean, really - back in "civilization" such a convergence would be unseemly. I tell Itchy my theory and he laughs, agreeing. "It's like a pajama party for six months." Except that we don't stay up much past 9 pm and no one carries pajamas. More like summer camp, perhaps.Happiness is just spilling from me today. I can feel it. A dear friend from Southern Pines, the very centered Tom Thompson, sent me a cute and timely flyer in my last maildrop. It's a spoof on a Public health warning. "Health alert!" it warns. "Symptoms of Inner Peace... The hearts of a great many have already been exposed...possible epidemic proportions..."It then listed some "signs and symptoms" of inner peace and, out here wandering the Trail at least, I could honestly check off 11 out of 12 items. They were:- Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation.- Loss of interest in judging other people, and one's self- Loss of ability to worry (an advanced and very serious symptom!).- Loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others- Contented feeling of connectedness with others and nature- Increasing tendency to let things happen, rather than to make them happen- Smiling through the eyes from the heart (I love this one)- Tendency to think and act spontaneously, rather than from fear based on past experiences- Increased susceptibility to love extended by others, as well as an uncontrollable urge to extend it.- An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.It was the latter trait that I needed to work on. I DO say some choice words sometimes, especially when facing a unexpected long rock climb at the end of a day... B-Roc, Itchy and I cut off at a side trail to Wawayanda State Park. There was a phone there, and we wanted to get a report on Ben/Just Do It. Though he was out walking, good man, and we didn't get to talk directly to Ben, we learned he'd had an operation, gotten pinned and wore a cast from fingertips to shoulder. His fingertips were very swollen. We were glad to hear he was out walking.Crossing a Trailhead, we caught up with 2x4 and Heidi, and their dogs Taiyoo and Colby. All were panting in the sultry heat, as were we. As we crossed the road, a van slowed down and the driver motioned us over. It was Trail angel Butch Cassidy and Sundance, his goofy mongrel sidekick. Butch opened his van and shoveled out ice cold bottled water, oranges, cookies, sodas.Butch also gives us news on the hikers around us. Mule is sick again and off the Trail for a short while. Butch took Mule and some others out for pizza, and Mule was so sick he couldn't eat, doubled over. When a twenty-something thru-hiker can't eat, you know its serious.We crossed an icy creek, and rinsed off. The water has been rather foamy and brown, and though abundant, not something you'd want to drink or wash in. We were happy to take advantage of this one.And then it was up and up, more rock step-ups. High on the lovely, breezy ridge, we crossed the NJ/NY state line. Yes! Another state knocked down! I wouldn't have known, but the line was painted in white on a slab of rock.My thru-hiking friend Laura and her 2 boys, from Southern Pines, had lain down here for a cool picture last year. So I did the same, but it wasn't as cool as theirs. Itchy was in a hurry to be moving, so I had a section hiker take my picture.Into New York! New York New York...Itchy and I lunch on Prospect Rock in the SUN (note: it is NOT raining, and that's a good thing). Up come The Dog People, 2x4 and Taiyoo, Heidi and Colby. Slats is with them. The dogs are hot and panting on the sunny rocks, and drop into the bushy shade to cool off. Heidi gave them water, and ordered them to stay as 2x4 left. He must speed up to get his maildrop in Greenwood, NY. Heidi said she had to wait for them to cool down before proceeding.As we go ridge walking and rock climbing, we start to wonder how Heidi was going to get the dogs up some of the rocks. They are big dogs, reluctant to walk today, and now she and Slats are alone.Later we learn Taiyo kept stopping. The AT is tough on dogs. There are even ladders in some places. Today is rock hopping and some class III/hand-over-hand climbing, with a hot sun. Thank goodness for a breeze or two atop the ridge.We march into Wildcat shelter, with not many more miles left under our belts. I was kind of losing control of my legs that last hour, stumbling frequently, tired beyond tired from the step-and-lift. Glad to see that shelter!I fill up at a honey of a spring, icy cold and flowing, rimmed with rock. The water has not been good in Jersey, so this is a surprise. Commander in Chief is here, along with B-Roc, Tinman, Heidi and Slats and 2x4.The shelter also holds some really fun long section hikers, Banana, Dr. Thunder and Capone. They had me in stitches with their banter. They also brought me news of Sonic and 'Guana, about a week behind. They should catch me when I get off the Trail for a week next month.The mosquitos are bad, making it hard to sleep. My legs are tired and achey. Commander in Chief builds a smudge fire to push the bugs away, and it helps.