Date: 2015-06-23
From: Rattlesnake Spring

To: Self-made stealth campsite near smelly pond
Miles today: 22.0

Red Panda is flying solo once again! And by flying, I mean hiking. Kind of quickly. But not too fast. I do wish I could fly, though.Quick side note: The stars last night and the sunrise through the trees this morning were beautiful. Going without my rain fly was a good choice. I had to resist the urge to shake the Aussie Legs out of their tents, yelling, "Wake up! You're missing it!".Since Chris is meeting friends for a weekend visit, he is slowing down. But I have no real reason to match his slug pace for the next few days, and am eager to get close to Connecticut so I can visit home (and eat real food!). Since there were thunderstorms due to hit this afternoon, we agreed to hike alone today. That way, I could get my miles done early, before the storm, and put in extra if I so chose.I packed up quickly this morning (I was brushing my teeth before Chris even let his bear bag down), psyched to hit the trail and get some alone time. I visited him before my departure, discussing my plan to hike to Gren Anderson Shelter and hole up there before the rain hit while he was preparing his breakfast. He asked if we should say goodbye, or plan to meet at the shelter later.Even though I definitely intended to hike farther than him today, I didn't want to say goodbye. Goodbyes are sad. Besides, I know that I'll see him again. The trail will bring him back to me when I need him (it is weird like that). Besides, he has to come to my trail magic picnic. "I'll drive to pick you up if I have to!" I told him.So I left him thinking I might see him again today, but knowing that I probably wouldn't.I have been getting really antsy and a little grumpy lately, lacking the alone time that I need to recharge. Although I think I am becoming a bit more of an extrovert on the trail (I try really hard to engage with people), I have been feeling overwhelmed lately. I love hiking with Chris and camping with Coco and Magnus and the Aussie Legs, but have been feeling kind of sapped by the constant social interaction, even on nights when I retreat to my tent early.Sometimes a girl just needs some space!And I got some today! Yay! I left camp free! Free to hike my own hike! Free to set my own pace! Free to pee as often as I pleased without having to jog to catch back up! Free to delve into the depths of my soul and bawl my eyes out without having to worry about my hiking companion turning around to find me a bleary-eyed disaster!It is amazing how my thoughts change when I hike alone. I thought about thinking a lot today (which probably sounds ridiculous, but humor me).You know how you sleep differently when someone else is in the room with you? You are conscious of their presence, their breathing, their movement. It's a little harder to relax. At least, that's what it's like for me.Hiking is similar. I think differently, awareness of my partner constantly dividing my attention. More of my concentration was spent thinking about Chris, our shared destination goals, and wondering when he was going to stop next (and if it was snack time yet) the last few weeks.But today, I was back to thinking more about myself, and my journey. I also thought a lot about planning the picnic, but that's not as interesting (though I am really excited for it and anxious to get planning).I thought about my trail goals: learning to be patient and more social, learning to relax and let go, learning how to get over Jim. And I did have a bit of a cry thinking about Jim (I will always be a crybaby. I need a good cry every month or so - catharsis!). It was only a few tears, though, rather than hyperventilation and bawling, so I think progress has been made.I did enjoy the solo hike. I was feeling like I had fallen into a routine, that the hike was becoming like everyday life. I didn't like that. I don't want it to be too normal, I don't want to get so used to it that I take it for granted. I was glad to break the pattern and force myself to readjust.Hiking alone is probably much more boring, but there are a couple of worthwhile details to share today.I saw a turkey like 25 feet up a tree. I didn't know they could fly that high!There are these awesome rainbow beetles that I keep seeing since entering New Jersey. The other night, Miles was using the word iridescent (he asked about the spelling) to describe the ferns on the trail when writing in his journal. I don't think it was the right adjective for the ferns, but definitely is for these beetles. They are so colorful. I think they might be stag beetles, but need to do more research (if I ever have time and battery). Kids in Korea catch huge stag beetles to keep as pets.I saw a bear (I know, another bear story... I'm a hypocrite). It was BIG and meandering close to the trail, so I blew my whistle (which I never sent home, even though the girl who did my shakedown at Mountain Crossings suggested I do so), and banged my poles. It looked up, rather nonplussed, before slowly lumbering off... PARALLEL TO THE TRAIL. "You're going the wrong way, bear!" I yelled, a little amused by his lackadaisical pace. He clearly wasn't interested in hurting me, so I wasn't worried, but I still wanted to keep my distance. I banged and whistled some more, following the trail and the bear. Eventually the trail hung a left, and I left my bear friend behind.I celebrated hiking 9 by 9 with a snack on Rattlesnake Mountain, enjoying the view. I mixed up some peanut butter protein powder and smeared it on a granola bar and it was excellent. Then I ate the pretzel M&Ms out of my trail mix. I met Rise (I hope that is right) passing by as I snacked. He told bear stories. I pretended to care (I KNOW, I AM A HYPOCRITE). He seems really nice. Everyone is nice on the trail, though. Some are crazy (actually most are probably crazy), but I don't know if I've met a really mean person yet.I stopped for water at Brink Shelter, which was really nice, and continued to Gren Anderson for lunch. About 3 miles south, it started to rain. I took out my umbrella to cross over Route 206. As I headed back into the forest, the wind was raging. The trees were swaying dangerously, and branches were tumbling through the air. Thunder rumbled ominously in the distance. I kept my umbrella out, hoping it might serve as a semi-effective shield if a branch came cracking down on my head, and booked my butt north, hoping to reach shelter before the storm hit.Of course, the sun then came out, and I enjoyed a pleasant lunch at Green Anderson. It was early and, feeling ambitious, I decided to continue to the next campsite, 4 miles north.Half an hour later, I was caught in a downpour. Lightning flashed and thunder cracked right after. Raindrops pelted at me sideways. The trail turned into a river as rainwater gushed downhill, soaking my boots. I felt like Dorothy in the twister, trying to keep my umbrella from blowing inside-out, trying not to slip on the smooth, wet rocks, trying to see the white blazes through the rain. With a huge sigh of relief, I spotted the stone pavilion atop Sunrise Mountain, where I took refuge until a lull in the storm.When the skies seemed less threatening, I continued on. By the time I reached camp, the storm had passed.I have no idea where this supposed camping is supposed to be (AWOL's guide indicates there should be something here), but I found a decent flat spot to pitch my tent on. It's just big enough, too. It was meant to be!Then I took a nasty bath in orange pond water. It was not as refreshing as I had hoped. I am still sticky. And smelly. Pond smelly AND sweat smelly. So pleasant.It only took me five minutes to hang my bear bag tonight. I am getting better at it... I only lost one rock. Finally, I am becoming a real hiker! Aren't you proud, mom?!Okay, I admit, the other night I picked a branch that was too low and Chris had to rehang our food bags... but generally overall I am improving.So I did my chores and then I just sat, and thought, and listened to the birds, and enjoyed the forest and the quiet and the ALONENESS. It was so nice to not have to make conversation tonight. My solo day was great. A good day, despite the dangerous parts.As I was sitting by my tent, a group of young women passed. They were summer camp counselors (I think) out for a hike before their campers arrived.They asked me if I had bleach. Nope. I did have soap, though. "What do you need it for?" I asked. For water, they said, and asked if I drank it straight out if that nasty pond. I would not drink ANY water out here without treating it. Even spring water, I treat it all. It's not worth the risk not to."You guys don't have water?!" I asked concertedly. That wasn't good. Water is not the thing to be without on the trail in summer. I explained about my SteriPen (and even with my spiffy UV light, i wouldn't drink from that pond) and told them that there was a better water source at the next shelter. Maybe they would find water in a bear box. Sometimes friendly people will leave some.One of the girls thought it was funny that there were eight of them and one of me, but that I was more prepared. I laughed in understanding, telling them, "I've been out here a long time!".They asked me some questions about thru-hiking before continuing on. I told them my trail name, and as they departed, I could hear them saying "We need trail names!". It was a fun encounter, and cheered me up.In my never ending quest to be cheap and lazy, I soaked my pasta and dehydrated veggies for dinner beforehand. And since water is scarce here, I drank all of that pasta-soak water down. Can't let it go to waste! Especially not after I went through the trouble of collecting and treating it.It was really gross, though. Kind of floury and - well - just gross. Like cheap paste. Dinner was delicious, though. Tuna from a pouch and pasta and veggies out of a peanut butter jar. I am one classy trail gourmet, let me tell you.I am thankful for my alone time, and also thankful for my friends. I am glad to have seen lots of wildlife today (bugs, slugs, salamanders, deer, bear, a huge black snake...). I am thankful to be in a beautiful place, and that I didn't drown, get struck by lightning, or crushed by a falling branch today. I am thankful, most of all, to be healthy and happy.