Date: 2003-07-10
From: Telephone Pioneers Shelter

To: CT55 parking lot
Miles today: 10.5

Around 9:30 last night, another thruhiker arrived at the shelter. Dirty Harry came in after having done THIRTY-SIX miles! When he told us that I said "Good God! What's wrong with you?" He said he needed to get to Kent today, which was about 20 miles from that shelter. I was thinking "Oh, the Post Office crunch" (trying to make the Post Office before close on Friday or Saturday), but today is only Thursday. I probably shouldn't have said what I did... it just slipped out. It's amazing how many miles some of these hikers put in, in a day. I guess it's just a case of 'different strokes for different folks'.I slept like crap last night. My hips were aching from lack of cushioning. And the bubble of a pillow seemed to keep growing, making it uncomfortable. The mosquitos were buzzing around some, but not too bad. I put my silk liner over my head, and that helped. Luckily, it was cool enough I could sleep in my sleeping bag without being hot.When the sun rose this morning, it turned the sky bright orange. Even though I didn't put on my glasses to look at it, it was awesome! Before long, the sky turned more to bright yellow, and I turned away from it so I could try to sleep some more. Dirty Harry was gone early, so I don't know who he is, even though he said he thinks we've met before. Sometime this morning I thought of a good comeback: "Oh, all you guys say you've met a Wench before!" Too bad the moment was lost. So I'm not the quickest!Hotdog and I left the shelter a little past 8, and had covered the first 3 of the just over 10 miles planned for the day in about an hour. We sat down for a break at a train stop for New York City's Metro-North train. It's cool that the name of the stop is 'Appalachian Trail'. It only stops on weekends and holidays, and only when someone is there to get on. Since we were moving quickly so far, we took about a 20-minute break there, then crossed NY22. Before heading back into the fields, we noticed a hot dog wagon at a parking lot just north of the trail. It was only 9:45, but we each had a hotdog, chips and a soda. Mmm... That would be enough fuel for the remaining 7 miles.The hiking today was pretty, once again. We saw the AT's largest oak tree, the Dover Oak. It was awesome! It's branches spread out and seemed to smother the road it was next to. I can't say for sure it was bigger than the Keffer Oak in Virginia, but supposedly it is. It was magnificent!We met a group of kids and their chaperones while walking along a bunch of bog bridges (or puncheons). We tried to spoil their lunches by mentioning the hotdog wagon, but they weren't hiking that far, and as one of the adults reminded them, they'd brought their lunches. They were amazed to find we'd been hiking since March 1st, and from Georgia. It's great to see these kids' faces when they hear that. Maybe a seed is planted in a few of their minds!When we got to Wiley Shelter, it was about 12:30, and we had one hour to get to the meeting place, which was about 1.5mi north. Hotdog had some snacks and chatted with another thruhiker, while I caught up on the news from June 29th, in the privy. Then we packed up to leave, and I said, stupidly "I hope it doesn't rain." I'd noticed the thicker cloud cover. Hotdog, wisely ssshh'ed me. It did no good. Within a few minutes of hiking, we could hear and feel small drops of rain filtering through the leaves. When it became more frequent, we stopped and put on our pack covers. That was about a half mile before the CT55 parking lot, our meeting place.At the side trail to the parking lot, there is an information board, and next to that, there was a cooler. Trail Magic! We didn't even look in it, because we knew we'd be getting something better than whatever was in that cooler! Brian was waiting for us at the parking lot, even though we were about 10 minutes earlier than the planned time. We introduced ourselves and loaded our smelly, wet packs and bodies into his car.Brian and Gretchen's place is awesome! They have a large yard, with bird feeders and the accompanying birds. I don't know my birds very well, but I do know a hummingbird when I see one, and at least one has visited several times. Or maybe it's several different ones. I haven't taken the time to differentiate yet. They have two cats, which makes me miss my Albert. The house is awesome, and there is a wonderful breeze sailing through it. It is very peaceful here.Brian had to go to work, but before leaving us alone in the house, he showed us around and pointed out the important things: air freshener, laundry detergent, soap, shampoo, deodorant, foot powder. Wonder what he meant by all that??? (Kidding. He showed us only some of the above, plus washer/dryer, shower, bedrooms, kitchen.)I can't wait to meet Gretchen. They are very kind to take in Hotdog and I, who are strangers to them. I'll thank Subman for mentioning me, so that I have this temporary resting place. I just can't believe the effort that people put in to help us hikers out. I hope I get the opportunity to help out hikers when I'm done with this trip. I know, I've been helped greatly. It'll be my turn to return the favors!After Gretchen got home from work, we all talked for a while, then she cooked a wonderful meal: rice; chicken; salad; rolls; green beans; and dessert! It was very good! We talked more, then I called home and talked to Pa for a bit. Then we talked more, until all three of us were yawning more than talking. It was time to hit the hay.Hotdog and I have decided to stay another night here. We will get chores done today, and relax this evening, before hitting the trail again tomorrow. It's strange... when I get to a hotel or house, I want to stay an extra day or two. But at the same time, I want to be hiking. I want to be heading north. I think I am anxious to reach Katahdin. Yet, I don't think I am ready for this adventure to end. Maybe the hike on the AT isn't the adventure at all. Maybe it's just the beginning, or modifying of a different, grander adventure: living.