appalachian trail

what i'm about to write cannot possibly do justice to the experience!

i started hiking monday morning (super excited - adrenaline pumping - despite the rain/snow/mud dreariness). hiked and camped until a couple hours ago when i "hitch-hiked" (don't worry - super safe) to a hostel - the end of my three-day a.t. trial period.

happy to report that it went well. i felt really safe the whole time - i'm hardly ever alone - never for more than thirty minutes on a beautiful day (an hour on a rainy day). the past two days i've had random hiking partners, i camp out with more than twenty people at a site/shelter each night, blah blah. basically - it's a pretty safe undertaking.

there are very few women! i've only met four who are hiking on their own and two who are with male (romantic) partners. all of the lone women seem rad!! but i've mostly been spending my time with loads of males... which is a topic that i'm still sorting through. (you know, my feelings/thoughts on it)

the past two days i've had some really special moments on the trail. me and this guy "cope" smoked a joint on the banks of this beautiful bubbly creek yesterday. today i spent an hour or two lying out on a rock - most beautiful scene! hills for miles.. 270 degree view.! some fellow hikers i knew joined me for the last half of it...

wha, i'm just rambling. i'm a bit too immersed in it to give you soundbites. there were moments when i wasn't happy - got a little lonely with all these stupid menfolk around yesterday evening. i'm really really sore (muscles) but i'm strong too!

i think the loneliness was part of culture shock. no doubt that this is .. invokes some kind of culture shock. but i guess that's what i want. a break


whoooosh, i love you all! besosss