September 21, 2020 - Long Trail - Day 1 - Part 2

The Long Trail : Day 1 : Part 2 : 9/21/20 . After the much needed deep exhale at the water source we were back to finding our hiking groove. A couple of miles and a bit of steep, rocky terrain landed us face to face with a familiar friend. We were staring at the Vermont state line where the Long Trail sign welcomed and beckoned us forward. . I wish I could tell you I was overcome with tears or joy or some other equally appropriate emotion. I wasn’t. My emotional bank was running on overdraft protection. I was simply ready to hike, to put miles behind me and start the long awaited journey. After a few obligatory photos we did just that. Putting one foot in front of the other, watching the mental mileage counter decrease slowly tenths of a mile at a time. . We walked and surprised ourselves with how our bodies responded to day 1. Instead of finding an early camp, we pushed on. Meeting a few hikers and getting a chance to encourage an AT flip flopper made my day. A renewing was taking place. The sweet burn in my calves and glutes, the cool breeze prickling on my skin, and colorful leaves at a power line clearing were making me feel alive again. In my element, I felt strong, in charge and confident. For me, this is where life makes the most sense and I feel the most in tune with my thoughts and emotions. . Waning daylight brought out the headlamps and we pushed on to our camp for night 1. We made camp feeling a gratefulness even the resident mouse couldn’t steal. We set up camp and watched the beady eyed critter run back and forth while we ate dinner. Impossibly cute, I knew all too well he was destructive. Spending extra time securing our food, Jack Jack (as I’d named him) would have to be real clever to get to our stuff! The chilly air was perfect inside of my cozy warm quilt and sleep came quickly and easily. One day in the books gave me just enough hope to believe we had a shot at this Long Trail thing!