Date: 2015-06-30
From: Hemlock Springs Campground

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: broken clouds

No one else was even stirring from their tents and hammocks when I left the campsite this morning. For some reason, Gertrude felt EXTRA heavy when I started out, but then bearably normal after a mile or so. Weird.I actually can remember part of a dream I had last night! It was not a good one. In it, I was getting really close to home, but then I looked at my guide book and saw that I had to climb a huge mountain. It was LITERALLY a vertical line in the book. In real life, it would have been a wall. And I was miserable, thinking, "I CAN'T CLIMB THAT, I AM NEVER GOING TO GET HOME.".Thankfully it was just a dream. Because I want to go home. And I can't climb walls (I'm Red Panda, not Spiderman). I hope no radioactive spiders bite me.New York was so much kinder to my feet today! No more horrible rocky climbs and descents! There was even a nice flat section where I fell into an awesome rhythm, coasting along almost effortlessly.I was so enraptured by New York's beauty that it didn't really bother me that much that the terrain really sucked. But it really did. My knees were killing me, and my feet hurt. I have heard similar expressions of displeasure from Coco and Magnus and Chris (who I now know is almost exactly a day behind me).It was still gorgeous today... I felt like singing John Denver. "Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy..."Not worth the risk of someone else coming up near me and hearing my disturbingly tone-deaf singing and horrible voice, though.I have been encountering SO MANY people on the trail lately. I chalk it up to summer and the proximity to urbanity. There have been a lot of thru-hikers around too, though. Just another bubble, I guess.This morning I let Chat Cat pass me (he was going SO FAST downhill, I thought he was about to take me out), then hiked behind him for a while, while we (quite appropriately, I think) chatted. He started in Virginia and is aiming for Katahdin, and has lived both in Germany and Montreal. So into the hike and discussion, he didn't even notice when he walked RIGHT PAST a branch hanging over the middle of the trail. I stopped short and called to him, "YOU JUST WALKED RIGHT PAST THIS SNAKE!".A big, long, black rat snake was entwined in the tree branch. Literally, he was right above the middle of the trail. Chat Cat had walked right into him, head brushing the branch out if the way. I have NO IDEA how he didn't see it! I had to duck under it to get past (and I'm short)."I wonder what he's doing there." Chat Cat voiced."Probably trying to reach sunlight!" I hypothesized. Then we continued on, discussing coldbloodedness and winter.He stopped after a mile or so to guzzle the energy drink he picked up at the Appalachian Market and collect water. He invited me to take a break with him, but I had reached my social limit and carried on after a few minutes.I really have been enjoying New York.There is a road crossing with a little stone pump station with a spigot (I love spigots). When I got there, Doc and Forward were sitting in the grass. I sat with them while I made and ate my lunch. It has been nice, running into them lately. Doc always calls me ma'am, which normally would make me feel old, but coming from him, it doesn't bother me. He is always so calm, it reminds me I need to chill out a little.They continued on while I started in on my second course (trail mix). Mau passed by, talking a lot (and quickly), asking if I had seen Dirt Time. I have no idea who Dirt Time is. I honestly felt a little overwhelmed by his breathlessness and speedy speech, but then he continued on, too.Also, before I forget... yesterday I saw TWO pairs of male underpants on the trail. TWO. What situation could you be in that would necessitate leaving your underpants in the woods? This has happened so many times, and I just don't get it. Yesterday I also saw a pair of little girl underpants (Disney princess print) and leggings, discarded and abandoned. There are some weird things in the woods.Three miles from the end of my hike, I transitioned into automaton mode. With two miles to go, it was like I hit a wall. I had to stop for a snack. I can't even believe how much I ate today.There are quite a few people here. This shelter is a decent size. Apparently it used to be a vacation cabin, before it was donated to the trail. There are only six bunks, though. It is a horribly inefficient use of space.Unfortunately, the shelter register tells me that Yellow Bird has Lyme. Luckily she caught it early, though. I am starting to get paranoid about Lyme.Miles and Po' Boy arrived late, and Miles started banging around and cooking dinner. I just want to sleep. I had considered stopping at the campground 1.3 miles south of this shelter, but decided to make the extra push in order to keep out of the rain (and it did rain less than an hour after I arrived). I am sacrificing quiet and solitude for a dry spot and the comfort of knowing I am a little closer to home.Mao (I believe that is how you spell it) was talking to me earlier as I was distractedly trying to write a letter. He is hiking to raise money for a veterans' group. And then he told me, "I don't even like hiking."What?!I am really not sure what to think of this. Good for him for being so dedicated to a cause, and for raising money for such a worthy cause. But at the same time... there must be a better way. Why would you spend six months doing something you don't enjoy?! Especially hiking the AT, which is a 24/7 commitment. I just can't wrap my head around this one.I can't believe the picnic is so soon. More than that, even, I can't believe that Jeralyn's WEDDING is so soon! SO MANY THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO!Matt just showed up! His trail name is Jeopardy now, which I did know. He peered down into my bunk and said, "I know you from Amicalola!" I started at him in total confusion. He is so hairy now, I didn't even recognize him! I haven't seen him in forever, and I am pleased to know he is still on the trail and doing well.I AM STILL HUNGRY. WHAT IS THIS HORRIBLE MONSTER HUNGER CONSUMING MY LIFE?!I ended up eating a tortilla with mustard for my post-dessert snack. Gotta fit in that dress for the wedding (so soon!).I DID manage to resist ordering pizza. You can do that at this shelter. But my food bag is so heavy, and I don't have the money to spend. I will save it to buy snacks for the picnic. Besides, traditionally, I buy pizza when I go into town. This is not going into town.I can't wait to sleep! I am sure I forgot so many things about today, but I am so tired I can barely think at all.I am thankful that my feet have survived NY so far. I am thankful that I am only about 27 miles from my home state. I am thankful that I have ear plugs, and this room is actually pretty dark (good for sleeping!). I am thankful for trail maintainers and people who donate old cottages. I am thankful for an April 1st friendly face.I am thankful for the next two weekends of parties I get to look forward to, too! I really hope tomorrow isn't a washout.