"I went to the woods because I wished to live life deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life... and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived."
-Henry David Thoreau
**Sunset from Rice Field Shelter, Pearisburg, VA
Friday, September 28, 2012
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
... My feets are tired!!
Currently: White River Junction, VT
Long Trail? 273 miles... Done!
This morning I was walking along, over a ridge, and suddenly? There was the sign. The same one (basically) I passed 21 days ago on the Massachusetts- Vermont state line... But this one? It says Northern Terminus... And it sits about 20 feet from Canada!! Then I skipped up over a big old rock and kissed line marker 592... I'm classy like that!
So, after 22 days I landed myself at the Canadian border... Surprising no one as much as myself. I may not be the fastest hiker, but I managed to haul myself over some big huge mountains, through some pretty tough terrain... And I did it all on my own. Crazy. Sure there were people who encouraged me, gave me tips and researched for me, and generally cheered me on (shout out to the Brown Sugar Boys, Florida Mike, Patrick, and the Antiques dealer in Jonesville), but I walked pretty much by myself. It wasn't easy (I'd even say it was MUCH harder than the AT), my shin is back in not good shape (but ice should help), my back is sore and my legs and arms are MESSED up from hitting trees, rocks, and roots.
But I'm proud of me! It was a bigger feat than I was planning to undertake, but it was AMAZING, and the leaves were beautiful! I've seen pretty things on my crazy hiking adventures... But mountain for big huge mountain, every crazy climb was capped with amazing views and beauty.
I am so blessed. As I head to Ohio soon and dream of journeys to come, I know this... These crazy, sometimes lonely, beautiful, rugged, hard weeks on the Long Trail reminded me that hard work pays off and beauty is always up the next mountain... And it's worth climbing!!
However... My feets are tired!! Who wants to massage em?!
Long Trail? 273 miles... Done!
This morning I was walking along, over a ridge, and suddenly? There was the sign. The same one (basically) I passed 21 days ago on the Massachusetts- Vermont state line... But this one? It says Northern Terminus... And it sits about 20 feet from Canada!! Then I skipped up over a big old rock and kissed line marker 592... I'm classy like that!
So, after 22 days I landed myself at the Canadian border... Surprising no one as much as myself. I may not be the fastest hiker, but I managed to haul myself over some big huge mountains, through some pretty tough terrain... And I did it all on my own. Crazy. Sure there were people who encouraged me, gave me tips and researched for me, and generally cheered me on (shout out to the Brown Sugar Boys, Florida Mike, Patrick, and the Antiques dealer in Jonesville), but I walked pretty much by myself. It wasn't easy (I'd even say it was MUCH harder than the AT), my shin is back in not good shape (but ice should help), my back is sore and my legs and arms are MESSED up from hitting trees, rocks, and roots.
But I'm proud of me! It was a bigger feat than I was planning to undertake, but it was AMAZING, and the leaves were beautiful! I've seen pretty things on my crazy hiking adventures... But mountain for big huge mountain, every crazy climb was capped with amazing views and beauty.
I am so blessed. As I head to Ohio soon and dream of journeys to come, I know this... These crazy, sometimes lonely, beautiful, rugged, hard weeks on the Long Trail reminded me that hard work pays off and beauty is always up the next mountain... And it's worth climbing!!
However... My feets are tired!! Who wants to massage em?!
Thursday, September 13, 2012
... Time warp...
Current location: Inn at the Long Trail (Killington, VT)
Miles left to Canada: 168.5ish
104.5 (technically 108ish) miles ago I left Williamstown, MA and headed north on the AT to connect with the Long Trail (LT) at the Vermont border. That feels a little crazy. It was just 8 days ago (I swear I did some really big mile days, it was a 2 mile day into Manchester Center that makes me look wimpy!!). It feels like ages. The trail has a way of doing that to you, making time seem like it is passing super slowly.
Yesterday I made my final climb before the Inn at the Long Trail over Mt Killington (about 2000 ft up in 4 miles) and I would have sworn it took 4 hours, but I got there to find it took less than 2 and it wasn't even late enough to stop for lunch at the top!
The trail feels like a time warp sometimes... Primitive, simple, easy, laid back. I've met lots of Southbound AT hikers this week and LOTS of northbound LT hikers (like me!). I've been hiking with 3 guys who just graduated from the U of VT (I call them the 'Brown Sugar Boys'). I've known them 4 days, it feels like ages.
Only about 12 days remain in the journey... Maybe less. My feet are tired but feeling good. I have a warm sleeping bag that helps on cold nights, but makes it hard to get up on cold mornings! The leaves have started changing and the days are perfect for hiking.
Yet, even though it's not exactly like I expected, this journey is good. Maybe I need a time warp every now and then... A chance to be quiet and peaceful in the woods... To forget the crazy rush of every day life and remember my happy place... My time warp spot... Where I can embrace and enjoy every moment without rushing to the next.
The next 169 miles are gonna be tough. The trail only gets harder from here. Our mantra has become 'if day hikers can do it we can do it.'... And we can... One moment, one step at a time.
Miles left to Canada: 168.5ish
104.5 (technically 108ish) miles ago I left Williamstown, MA and headed north on the AT to connect with the Long Trail (LT) at the Vermont border. That feels a little crazy. It was just 8 days ago (I swear I did some really big mile days, it was a 2 mile day into Manchester Center that makes me look wimpy!!). It feels like ages. The trail has a way of doing that to you, making time seem like it is passing super slowly.
Yesterday I made my final climb before the Inn at the Long Trail over Mt Killington (about 2000 ft up in 4 miles) and I would have sworn it took 4 hours, but I got there to find it took less than 2 and it wasn't even late enough to stop for lunch at the top!
The trail feels like a time warp sometimes... Primitive, simple, easy, laid back. I've met lots of Southbound AT hikers this week and LOTS of northbound LT hikers (like me!). I've been hiking with 3 guys who just graduated from the U of VT (I call them the 'Brown Sugar Boys'). I've known them 4 days, it feels like ages.
Only about 12 days remain in the journey... Maybe less. My feet are tired but feeling good. I have a warm sleeping bag that helps on cold nights, but makes it hard to get up on cold mornings! The leaves have started changing and the days are perfect for hiking.
Yet, even though it's not exactly like I expected, this journey is good. Maybe I need a time warp every now and then... A chance to be quiet and peaceful in the woods... To forget the crazy rush of every day life and remember my happy place... My time warp spot... Where I can embrace and enjoy every moment without rushing to the next.
The next 169 miles are gonna be tough. The trail only gets harder from here. Our mantra has become 'if day hikers can do it we can do it.'... And we can... One moment, one step at a time.
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