June 26, 2012

Start: Free State Hiker Hostel- Smithsburg, MD

Today was AMAZING!! It was the type of day I have dreamed about on the AT. The sun was shining, the temperature was a perfect 75 degrees, and the breeze was blowing. We woke up at 6 am and took our time leaving the hostel. We began the .3 mile road walk at 7:45 am. We had a short climb and then the trail opened to beautiful rolling hills with fields that seemed to go on forever. Just as the trail fell under tree cover again, we met a trail cat. I named him Whiskers. Friendly little guy. We continued to Raven Rock Shelter. By 10:45 we had walked 5.1 miles with a few stops to talk to some fellow hikers. Raven Rock is a BEAUTIFUL shelter!!!! I had a fluffer-nutter tortilla again... YUM!! I think that my favorite thing about our breaks isn't the food, but the fact that I get to take my feet out of my boots!! We left the shelter at 11:45 am and continued 4.6 miles to Pen-Mar Park. We ate pizza from the park concession stand and I called a few friends to say hello. We ate lunch with a fellow section hiker, Tech-Trekker (hiking from Harpers Ferry to the NY/CT border). After an hour, we started our final leg for the day, 5 miles to Deer Lick Shelters. Just .3 miles out of the park, we crossed the Mason-Dixon Line. Of course to commemorate the occasion, Brian and I had to do a dance. Good thing we were in the middle of the woods because we probably looked like crazy people : ) When we arrived at the shelter, we met a thru hiker, Hot Feet (named for his hot pink croc camp shoes) and Tech Trekker was also there.

The total for the day was 14.7 miles. Our longest day yet! We have started with lower mileage to get our minds and bodies used to the toll that daily high mileage hiking can take on you. We will gradually be increasing the distances in order to make our date with Mount K.

During the 14.7 miles, I had a million thoughts going through my head. My favorite thought of the day was that there was no place else I would have preferred to be. Days like today, with perfect weather, beautiful scenery, a landmark (crossing the MD/PA border), and meeting great people make me think we may just make it to Maine! ; ) My second favorite thought of the day was that all I had to worry about was what time to wake up, how far to walk, and what to eat. How lucky am I that I have no deadlines and no busy-ness?!?!? It is so freeing! I am loving trail life.

Tomorrow, we will set out for Quarry Gap Shelters which is 15.8 miles away.

End: Deer Lick Shelter

Peace Be The Journey
~Flicka