The New Jersey boardwalk...but where are the beach and ice cream?
I really hate insects. Not just dislike them or am irritated by them, but a deep visceral loathing. On this journey, I can confidently say that I've handled heat, cold, bruises, blisters, rocks and rivers with equanimity. But two ticks inside the tent and a swarm of mosquitoes outside just waiting for us to emerge reduced me to tears on Monday morning. Then and there, I wanted to pack up and head home.
Shiz gave me a big hug and convinced me to keep going (because really, what else could we do in the middle of the woods) but it was a tough morning. Instead of feeling connected to our surroundings, I wanted to isolate myself. To be in a bubble where mosquitoes and ticks and black flies and deer flies couldn't touch me.
There's a saying about the AT: Don't try to conquer the trail or it will conquer you. In a larger sense, I take this to mean: Don't try to resist this experience, good or bad. It's a waste of energy to wish that things were different - and energy is a precious commodity some days! Since Monday, I've been trying to hold this perspective. There's nothing I can do about the bugs, so my challenge is to accept them as part of living outdoors in summer. To accept that a certain number of itchy bites and twice daily full body tick checks are just the norm. Ugh. Shudder.
After the flat mid-Atlantic, we're back to climbing in NY
There's a second AT saying: When you're at your lowest point, the trail will serve up something to help you keep going. This came true for us on Tuesday night. Simply by coincidence, we camped at a shelter on West Mountain that has an expansive view of the Hudson Valley and the NYC skyline. As darkness fell, at least two dozen July 4th firework displays commenced in sight of the shelter. It was amazing and beautiful to watch the pops of light and color in the valley. We took pictures and video, but they don't start to do justice.
We're about 40 miles into New York State and our next stop should be in Connecticut (New England!!). We'll keep on chugging and I'll keep trying to tolerate the bugs...although I still feel strongly that there should be a moratorium on mosquitoes biting while we're pooping. It's just not sportsmanlike.
- SP
Google album link, new photos at the bottom: https://goo.gl/photos/yVaQgu5Xce88YoVb8
Crossing from Pennsylvania into New Jersey on the bridge over the Delaware River
Overlooking the Hudson Bay as July 4th fireworks displays commenced
Before crossing the Hudson River, the trail took us through this zoo in Bear Mountain State Park. It was a fun change from the woods.