OmPi's Adventures

Today's hike started with the hiker breakfast of champions. A warmed honey bun and cinnamon raisin roll. I know not exactly healthful eating but the calories are hard to beat at about 900 total calories in those two items finish it off with a small glass of milk and you are 1000 calories in.

I left the cabins on no real rush but wanting to be on trail by about 8am. Just a bit of the trail I found Simon & Sarah and  Sarah & Isla  (love that dog). I had every intention of a big mile day (19 or at least 15) as our terrain looked to be the easiest so far. Well, that didn't quite work out when I found my meditation as I was walking.

I pondered how quickly we could get from one side of the world to the other, really in just hours and yet it takes me the same time to get from one side of a mountain to another. While I don't want to knock air travel it has made the world so small and accessable, yet standing on top of a mountain makes the world feel so vast. It is all a matter of perspective.

The day went on enjoying the views, flowers and just being on this hike. I leapfrogged a number of people throughout the day. When I rolled into Low Gap Shelter there was still hours of sun left but I couldn't bring myself to push on so I set up camp. After about an hour I had wished I kept going but was not about to break camp and have to setup again a mere mile or less away. Not to mention how many people were starting to show up. Sarah and Isla were there, along with Kate (not the Kate I started with but one I met at Lance Creek), Simon and Sarah rolled in as did Living Proof and Podazon.

Everyone got their camp setup and bear bags hung, and Simon and I collected some firewood. As we began to cook our meal Living Proof still suffering with rough blisters got the fire started.  It was a nice fire though not as lively as the one at at Lance Creek. I enjoyed my dinner of Tom Yum quinoa with veggies and chickpeas and finally got to enjoy the fruits of my labor with some sprouts. Sarah was quite jealous of them and so I made sure to share. Though dinner was good my dessert that night took the cake. No it wasn't cake but that does sound delicious as well. I actually had mud pie which is basically chocolate pudding with peanuts and brownie brittle. Uh yeah that's a winner.

We talked a bit and I started to realize that there were a bunch of people from Florida. Hell we represented the entire state, (Lake Mary, West Palm, Punta Gorda, Jacksonville, Bonita Springs and Pensacola). It wasn't long before people's tatted to turn in, I made my way to bed and called my partner. I really miss him and our little ones, but am so thankful for his support as I make this journey, I couldn't do it without him.

Hiker Midnight came and everyone was well settled in for the night. The night turned out to be a little cooler feeling than past nights but I think it was just the breeze taking the warmth away from my cocoon, I'm gonna need to figure out how to pitch my tarp a little lower so I can keep the wind out. Speaking of wind in the middle of the night around 3 am I heard a huge crack then crash down. I guess a tree had come down I swore it was on the shelter but I listened for screens and there were none so back to sleep for me. Don't panic mom I always check for "widow makers" when I hang my hammock.

I love being able to share this adventure. If there is anything you would like to know about the experience or something I assumed knowledge on please let me know in the comments and I will work it into future postings. If you are not following me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram you are only getting part of the experience so like and follow me as I continue to take you with me on my journey to Maine.

OmPi ( ॐ π )