Introduction

About Pathways

Appalachian Trail

Why Walk?

Make a Pledge

Hiking Schedule

Journal

Photos

Links

Acknowledgements

July 26, 2001

Turned into a gorgeous day in Vermont. Rained a lot last night and I woke up in a puddle in my bivy. Waited in my damp chrysalis until some of the folks walking the Long Trail left the dry shelter. Then I moved in to cook and pack in relative warmth and dryness with other folks waiting out the rain. By the time I left at 11:00, the rain had stopped. By 12:30, the sun was shining through the thick Green Mountain greenery and the air was fresh, already holding a hint of fall. Days are already getting shorter and hours of hiking time are slightly diminished for people like me who like to arrive at the shelter at dark.

I hiked a big 13 miles today. I was more tired than I expected to be. It can't be time to get my period again already (groan). Tonight the crowd is a bit smaller than last night. The LT and SoBo hikers increase the numbers dramatically. I'm in a shelter with Smittee, Cesapeake--a funny ha-ha eccentric man on the third year of this three-year thru-hike--Jobnic--funny peculiar Israeli man who completed a three-year thru-hike, and Grace--an extremely cool girl who just finished fashion design school. She did her applied thesis on outdoor clothing that transforms into tables, chairs, sleeping bags, hammocks, etc. Crazy.

Right now I'm listening to her discman. She's a genuinely sweet girl. She's another one that everybody loves. I love section hikers. Today I got the chills again--for a million opportunities, for limitless possibilities, for memories distant and recent, for the inherent joy in being here on the AT.