A tree cracked just to my right and with it I heard a strange, chilling, animal sound. I turned my head and found myself looking into the eyes of a bear just a few feet off of the path, and staring straight at me.
September 3, 2013
Back on the trail. It felt so good this morning as I said goodbye to Roger and started down the connecting path that led from the dirt road drop off point to the actual trail. Once I saw the white blazes that mark the AT, I felt right back at home. I started stretching out my legs and moving north once again.
Susan had joked with me on the phone this morning about songs to sing as I hiked on the trail today. As I walked along in silence, the sun started pushing it's beams through the thick forest canopy of leaves and formed dancing circles of light all along the trail. I started having fun stepping on them, much like a dog might play with a reflection of light or a child might attempt to catch sunbeams shining through a window. Before I knew it, I was singing the words to an old hymn, "how beautiful to walk in the steps of the Savior, stepping in the light."
The weather was perfect, the trail was kind, and my spirits were high. Even the countless spider webs spun across the trail every few yards couldn't get me down. That was a clear sign I was alone on the trail, however, for no one had passed through this section for a while.
As the day wore on, I realized that this was not a picnic. I am now at my shelter, eight miles from my drop off point and unpacked for the night. I am tired and will certainly sleep well tonight. Four weeks of recovery from heat exhaustion does not really keep the body strong and ready to hike again.
By the way, today marks my first real encounter with a black bear, face to face. I had seen bear sign all along the trail today, but didn't think much of it. Mid afternoon, I was hiking along, thinking about how quiet it was in the woods. The air had stopped moving and the woods were completely still. Right then, a gust of wind blew across the trail, shaking the trees and causing their old bones to rub together and groan. A tree cracked just to my right and with it I heard a strange, chilling, animal sound. I turned my head and found myself looking into the eyes of a bear just a few feet off of the path, and staring straight at me. Whatever they teach you is worthless at such a time as this! I turned my head back straight, kept my eyes forward, and kept my feet moving. I listened for the sound of his roar and could picture him charging down the trail after me, but it never happened. Ten minutes or so later, I sat my shaking bones down on a fallen tree. About ten minutes after that, the rest of my senses slowed down enough to rest with me. My heart still stirs as I write about it tonight.
It's quiet here in the shelter as I wait for the night. I have it all to myself. In a little while I will fix supper, hang my food bag from a tree branch, and settle in for the night.
It's good to be back.
Back on the trail. It felt so good this morning as I said goodbye to Roger and started down the connecting path that led from the dirt road drop off point to the actual trail. Once I saw the white blazes that mark the AT, I felt right back at home. I started stretching out my legs and moving north once again.
Susan had joked with me on the phone this morning about songs to sing as I hiked on the trail today. As I walked along in silence, the sun started pushing it's beams through the thick forest canopy of leaves and formed dancing circles of light all along the trail. I started having fun stepping on them, much like a dog might play with a reflection of light or a child might attempt to catch sunbeams shining through a window. Before I knew it, I was singing the words to an old hymn, "how beautiful to walk in the steps of the Savior, stepping in the light."
The weather was perfect, the trail was kind, and my spirits were high. Even the countless spider webs spun across the trail every few yards couldn't get me down. That was a clear sign I was alone on the trail, however, for no one had passed through this section for a while.
As the day wore on, I realized that this was not a picnic. I am now at my shelter, eight miles from my drop off point and unpacked for the night. I am tired and will certainly sleep well tonight. Four weeks of recovery from heat exhaustion does not really keep the body strong and ready to hike again.
By the way, today marks my first real encounter with a black bear, face to face. I had seen bear sign all along the trail today, but didn't think much of it. Mid afternoon, I was hiking along, thinking about how quiet it was in the woods. The air had stopped moving and the woods were completely still. Right then, a gust of wind blew across the trail, shaking the trees and causing their old bones to rub together and groan. A tree cracked just to my right and with it I heard a strange, chilling, animal sound. I turned my head and found myself looking into the eyes of a bear just a few feet off of the path, and staring straight at me. Whatever they teach you is worthless at such a time as this! I turned my head back straight, kept my eyes forward, and kept my feet moving. I listened for the sound of his roar and could picture him charging down the trail after me, but it never happened. Ten minutes or so later, I sat my shaking bones down on a fallen tree. About ten minutes after that, the rest of my senses slowed down enough to rest with me. My heart still stirs as I write about it tonight.
It's quiet here in the shelter as I wait for the night. I have it all to myself. In a little while I will fix supper, hang my food bag from a tree branch, and settle in for the night.
It's good to be back.
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