Date: 2010-02-05
To: Birds do it. Bees do it...
Miles today: 0.0

So why should hikers be any different? Since we¢re all getting to know each other here at Trailjournals (sort of), let¢s get it out in the open. Let¢s talk SEX ¢Trail sex to be specific, romance, infatuation and displays of such, not necessarily in that order. When you look at the social dynamic of a bunch of hikers all gathering nightly at the same location to share joys, miseries and their common aspirations, similarities of going to the local watering hole can be drawn. And since no one has their pose clothes ensemble (little black dress, heels, blazer and bling) to elevate their confidence, most are a touch insecure and are looking for fellowship. Sharing a common purpose with others may be the ideal icebreaker. Echoing our childhood practice of passing notes in class, the shelter registers allow flirtation to drift up and down the AT, not too dissimilar from receiving a love letter. Does ¢getting lucky¢ become less about reaching Katahdin and more about ¢getting lucky?¢Can you imagine meeting some hotty (male or female, you decide) after several days of smelly sweating, no shower or fresh laundry, where your cologne is thru-hike Stench No. 5? ¢ Bet that never happens with eHarmony. (Sort of brings new meaning to eau de toilette.) Or scenarios where you¢ve just met, and he sees you grab your TP and march off into the woods? Not exactly sugar and spice and everything nice, huh? I¢m guessing if two can leap beyond such a colorful beginning and still find attraction, there may indeed be some promise.Could a one-month anniversary together be the gift of a Cinnabon bar of love rather than a bouquet of roses? Without doors anywhere to open, could one prove their chivalry by sweeping a shelter floor space for their new companions mummy? And wonderfully, there¢s no awkward goodnight kiss or come up for a nightcap moment since you both know you¢re going to sleep together ¢ Even if it really is sleep. And let¢s not forget the hurdle that you¢ll also be sleeping with Bob, Carol, Ted and Alice in the same shelter, only they¢ll be known as Bear Bait, Pokey, No Doubt or Fordo. A thru-hike strips away all the posturing and games and let¢s two people really see who they are. The hardships reveal frailties and strengths, qualities easily hidden in the distractions of the normal dating world. Do the female thru-hikers become more self-conscious about unshaven legs or can men stop fretting over when to phone or what to say on their message? As the attraction grows, so does the placement of your mummies. Where you once looked for a single slot on the shelter floor do you now look for two. And how wonderful it must be to share a pot of Lipton¢s together where the grandest of gestures to a fellow thru-hiker is, ¢Oh, please, you take the last bite.¢ Yes, we¢re talking romance.It must be an incredible surprise to walk off into the wilderness expecting isolation and oneness with nature and finding love, possibly even your soul mate. You expected to find birds and bees, but not the birds-and-the-bees. I like that people find each other on the trail, fall in love, and become wed. Happy beginnings are good for everyone near it, and not just the lucky couple, something to do with serotonin I think? Although the cuddling-giggle fests over in the corner of the shelter become a tad annoying come dark when most just want to sleep and dream of food glorious food.And amorous hikers do face certain wilderness challenges of, hmm¢¦let¢s say, coming together (pun not intended but welcomed). If they start as a solo hiker, which means their tents will most likely be single sized, and forget about a hammock, they¢d end up on their heads with a concussions rather than satisfaction. Which begs the question, if one shows up to hike solo but has a two-person tent, is that not presumptuous on their part or just hopeful? Of course, its safe to say that town stops, which are usually about all things food and resupply, do take on a whole new significance, don¢t they?