“These rocks are just a challenge, don’t let them get to you.”
“Remember, you GET to do this thru-hiking thing.”
“It’s fun to be outside in nature all day.”
“The trail isn’t out to get you, don’t make it personal.”
I said all the above things to myself over and over and over this morning, as I walked on a very rocky trail in a very boring green tunnel. This was my view for most of the morning:
the trail was so rocky that I barely looked up all morning, which was fine as we were in a green tunnel and there wasn’t much to see anyway
By 10am, I sat down and put myself in a timeout because I yelled “f#*%!” after tripping over a rock for the umpteenth time. By 11am, I had eaten all my allotted snacks for the day. I was still holding on to my sanity, but just barely. Usually when things get tough I have the views to make me feel like it’s all worth it, but there were too many trees in the way for that today.
About two miles before the water source everyone was hiking towards, I came upon Coach, who looked like he was struggling, too. He picked up his pace a little as I drew level with him, so I figured that meant he needed someone to talk to. I was more than happy to be that person because I needed something (or someone) to get me out of my funk.
Walking and talking with Coach was just what I needed. He told me about his family and about the hiking and traveling he and his wife have done, which gave me some good ideas for future travels with Nick. And then, suddenly, we found ourselves out the green tunnel for a bit. We stopped to marvel at the view of the mountains we’ve all been missing.
finally, we can see the mountains again!
Nick, Puddles on the ground waiting for Sunny D, and Coach
Puddles, who had passed Coach and me just before we got out of the green tunnel, stopped to wait for Sunny D. Meanwhile, Nick (who caught up with us while we were enjoying the view), Coach, and I hiked on to the stream where we refilled our water and had lunch.
While we were eating lunch I kept my eye on the sky, which had turned dark. As we were packing up to start hiking again, a cold wind blew in, there were a few loud thunderclaps, and it rained a little. It barely counts as a storm and it only lasted maybe 15 minutes, but it gave me a taste of what we’re in for very soon. I love everything about storms except I’m not sure how I’m going to deal with the cold that comes along with them up here.
After the mini-storm passed, the wonderful sun came out again and warmed me right up. If only the sun could do something about the damn rocky trail!
After lunch, we were faced with more rocks and, almost as annoying, motorbikes. I’m not used to motorized anything being allowed on the trail and, while I’m all for sharing the trail, I wasn’t happy about hearing, smelling, and getting dusted by the motorbikes as they sped past us. Also, I’m pretty sure they are the reason the trail is covered in loose rocks, as those bikes really tear it up. They probably think hikers being on the trail is just as annoying as I found them to be, so I suppose we’re even.
While Coach and the mini-storm helped my mood a great deal, the rocky green tunnel we were faced with after lunch slowly eroded my good mood. I kept reminding myself that it’s just a challenge to overcome and that it’s making me stronger somehow, but, once again, I felt like I was barely hanging on. (I do not know how people hike the Appalachian Trail as I’ve heard most of it is a green tunnel. Green tunnel, while nice for the shade it provides, makes me feel like I’m slowly suffocating.)
About a half mile before the next water source, we emerged from the green tunnel and I felt better instantly.
finally! I can breathe again!
it’s impossible to be in a bad mood with views like this
Even better, the birds I fell in love with in New Mexico appeared again! I stopped to watch them as they swooped overhead. They make me so happy, I need to figure out exactly what kind of bird they are.
When I got to the next water source I was sad to see we wouldn’t be camping there as it was too steep. I was exhausted and just wanted to be done hiking as it just wasn’t my day. I was so exhausted, in fact, that I somehow spilled my full water bladder (3 liters worth of water) all over myself. At the time I thought it was just my shoes that got wet and since nobody noticed my error, I did my best to not be annoyed with myself as I chatted with Nick, Coach, Sunny D, and Pig Pen (we were all there, filling up on water).
Because my filter is getting pretty clogged, I was the last one there. Sunny D and Pig Pen were hiking another 2 miles or so to meet up with Puddles, and Nick had gone ahead to find a campsite (the first suitable spot he could find) and start setting up the tent.
As I slowly made my way down the trail, laden with 4 heavy liters of water, I managed to step in mud. My right foot sank all the way down into the muck and came out covered in the stuff. So not only were my feet wet, but now one was muddy, too. It was like the straw that broke the camel’s back - I was definitely over the day.
The day wasn’t over with me, though. In camp, I somehow managed to spill my protein recovery drink all over myself, even getting some in my hair. I sat in the tent, frustrated and annoyed, trying to clean myself up. This is about when I realized that, in addition to soaking my shoes, I also got water inside my Fanny pack, which had been partially open to make it easier for me to grab my phone for pictures and such. Worse, my external battery charger, which I rely on heavily and which had been in a plastic bag, managed to get wet and now appears to be not functional.
What a day. I feel like a hot mess.
I need to hit a reset button or something.
Hopefully, sleep will set me right again.
Along the trail:
Camp:
We’re on a saddle and I love it- views all around!
