7/16/12 – 1281 miles
The heat is back. The forecast for the next few days is filled with words like: heat warning, dangerous heat index, record temperature, and high humidity. As a hiker, I pay close attention to the weather. It’s not fun to run out of water on a blistering long section, or find youtself trapped on a high ridge with a violent thunderstorm approaching.
I’ve cut down on my daily mileage over the past few days. The rocks in PA – except for some of the younger hikers – slow everyone down. If you try to go fast, you end up with sore ankles and bruised feet. This was one shelter journal entry made in PA: “Attention Lehigh Gap trail maintainers. One of your rocks has fallen flat on the ground. Could you please send someone out to stand it back on edge?”
I must not be sleeping well. I stopped for lunch at a small campsite halfway between my start and destination, ate two sandwiches, and sat down by a nice shade tree. The next thing I knew a half hour had gone by. It’s the first time I have stopped for lunch and fallen asleep. It felt kind of nice actually.
And why not take a little nap now and then? That’s what it means to be retired!
You’re too young to have my disease; I sleep without meaning to nearly every day. (Is his name Bryson)–anyway, the author said that PA rocks are as bad as NH. You remember he skipped . both places. Take your time; you will enjoy it more.
Whew! I am so glad I’m not hiking that section with you! Although a siesta does sound pretty good to me. Haha Keep hydrated.