Date: 2015-10-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

The search and rescue team managed to find me in the woods yesterday morning... Laying on the ground in the cold, huddled against a rock for shelter as the chilled Maine air blew past me through the firs.And after an hour or so, the dog sniffed me out, and after another hour, PEOPLE came upon me, to my rescue! And they cheered and led me out of the woods back to safety.Okay, I admit that I TOTALLY sensationalized that story. I tend to exaggerate. It's more fun that way, though.I actually volunteered to hide from the dog, who was trained for search and rescue. I wasn't lost. Alexa told me that they needed a volunteer to hide, and the test was supposed to take place right near where I was planning to go to hike and camp this weekend anyway, so I submitted my name for woods-hiding. It was fun, and interesting to learn about.Did you think I would get lost in the woods and need rescuing?! I haven't been that mindless yet!ANYWAY, last night was the first night I spent out in the woods, post-AT. I love my internship, but, as I've said, I'm kind of an introvert... I really like having some alone time to nurture my inner weirdo. During the days I work, though, it's hard to find time. Plus, there are just SO MANY PEOPLE. Last week we had a group of 75 students visit campus. Did I mention that they were all seventh grade boys? Yup. I got to lead some of them on a hike, which was excellent and enjoyable, but by Friday afternoon I was itching to escape.So Saturday morning, I headed out. All week, I live and work on the Schoodic Peninsula. I work here. I eat here. I sleep here. I run here. I bike here. When I leave, it's like a breath of fresh air, remembering that there's more to the world out there. As I drove away from campus, finally on my own, into a gorgeous fall day, with plans of hiking and camping, I felt a huge weight lift off of my shoulders. I WAS PSYCHED FOR FOREST BONDING TIME.The first order of business was to hide and be found - all went well. Afterwards, I headed back out for a good 10-mile hike in the autumn Maine wilderness. I was worried that my state of mind while hiking would be a lot different, that it would be different to hike, having a different goal and destination. On the AT, I had the comfort of knowing that there was always someone nearby. Thru-hikers were abundant, and day hikers common. But out here... there weren't as many people. If I fell and broke my leg, it wasn't as likely that someone would come upon me within the next day, or two, or three... and it seemed much likelier that I would encounter dangerous wildlife out in booneyville (I DID NOT SEE A MOOSE. SAD TIMES.).But soon after I set out, I fell back into that rhythm. Despite my light day pack and lack of trekking poles, it was like old times again. Time passes strangely during a hike. You would think that it would drag on, mile after mile after mile, but most of the time, that's not the case. My mind mellows out, as I ponder life and trail. I think that's what I miss the most. Here, I am always thinking about what I should be doing, what I need to prepare, what I need to get ready for the next day, the jobs I should be looking for, if I should attempt a certification to boost my resume, blah blah blah. But in the woods? NO INTERNET. Freedom from worry! That time is for me, for my heart, for my legs to climb and my lungs to fill with fresh, outdoor air instead of stagnant indoor air. The hiking time is time to think about things that are really important, things I need.And I loved it. It was so nice. I wish I was still there.It was a good, long, sweaty, difficult, wonderful hike. By the late afternoon, I really wanted pizza. If it wasn't so late, I might have actually driven out to get pizza for dinner and then driven back to camp. I didn't want to set up in the dark, though, and didn't trust enough to leave my gear unattended if I set up camp, went out, then returned full of carbs and cheese.SO, sweaty and gross and cold (at 4:30 I caved into the sad fact that summer is over, and pulled my gloves onto my frozen fingers), I returned to my car, loaded up Gertrude, and re-hiked the half mile back to the campsite next to Donnell Pond. If you ever have the chance to go there, you should. Especially at sunset. It is beautiful. I pitched my awesome tent, threw my bear line, and sat in the vestibule while I cooked my dinner. I huddled under my fleece sleeping bag liner and watched the sun sink behind the mountains and I was happy. Not that I'm not generally happy lately, but I was REALLY HAPPY out there. Freaking cold, but happy.I really wanted to journal but it was like 35 degrees out and my fingers were too cold to type. I slept well, nestled in my sleeping bag, with my fleece liner, wearing my baklava and wool hat and puffy jacket. I was a weird blue hiker cocoon, my legs stiff and sore due to the limited possible sleeping positions. I was quite restricted by the shape of my Therm-a-Rest and my sleeping bag.There is nothing like being bundled up warm and cozy on a cold night. I used to love winter, because I could lay in front of the wood stove and do my homework while basking in the heat like a lizard. Now, winter makes me restless.Hiking made me extra hungry. I woke up hungry and cooked hot oatmeal (something I would not have taken the time to do on the trail, but luxuriated in this morning). And I admit that I did have a flatbread pizza thing that I bought for lunch today. I went to WalMart to buy deodorant, and right inside the door, they have a pizza fridge. Every time I go there, it mocks me, screaming, "WE KNOW YOU LOVE US, PANDAPANTS. BRING ONE OF US HOME. WE WILL MAKE YOUR TUMMY SO HAPPY!".USUALLY I CAN RESIST. Especially since my grocery budget just about makes me cry at this point. But my inner enabler whispered to me, "You hiked a lot yesterday! You burned so many calories! You can have a pizza!"So I bought a small(ish) one.AND it was FANTASTIC. I was only going to eat half... but I'm always hungry so I gobbled the whole thing. Like I also said, the whole weight loss thing isn't progressing so fantastically. HOWEVER, I did run three miles today, so whatever. I NEEDED THAT PIZZA.I also had some M&Ms in my yogurt tonight... I guess that if I get fat, mom will just have to force me to hike the PCT. Summary of the story: Red Panda loves hiking. Red Panda loves camping. Red Panda has a pizza and M&M problem, and is a lover of delicious things. Also, I didn't get lost. First night out post-AT was wonderful. I am thankful to be in a place where the wilderness is accessible. I am thankful for a good internship (though not well-paying, it keeps me busy and in good company). I am thankful to be near the ocean, and near the woods, and near friends. I am thankful that technology allows me to keep in touch with my family. I am thankful that I can afford to buy myself a treat pizza. I am thankful that I have the time and resources to spend an autumn night in the woods without freezing to death. I am thankful for the beauty of nature,I am thankful for the kindness of strangers, and the connections that the trail brings. I am thankful for opportunities to learn, and options before me. I wish I knew the right ones to pursue, but no one ever does, do they?I am thankful for another day off tomorrow, and more outside adventures planned!