The Red Handkerchief

Red handkerchief has saved my life today. You never know what piece of equipment you have in your pack that will become the thing that you need the most. Last night the weather was cold and rainy. Made the trail very sloppy and I had to hike slow. Each footfall was carefully planned. I didn't want anything to happen so early into my Appalachian Trail Hike. This trail will lead me to Maine and then if the weather is suitable to hike in I have plans to keep going on the International Appalachian Trail. I have printed out all the information and I have my Passport in the last food drop box to be mailed to me in Maine.

Since it was  cold  this mornings I  had oatmeal with bananas  and hot coffee. I had a snack about 10. A Delicious Cliff Bar. Pumpkin Spice. I hiked on. I have seen two hikers out for a couple of days they were very nice and we chatted about the trail conditions and maybe a chance of snow. I love to hike in the fresh snow the air is so crisp and clean and the quite in the forest is so almost Eire. Almost spooky. I can scare myself so easy. I finally got through the spooky part and kept going.

I was surprised at how fit I was. The elevation changes didn't bother me as much as they did in the past years I have hiked the AT. Or maybe I just knew what was coming up. As I walked along the now really wet and slippery trail I was starting to look for a camp site with a fire ring. I know everything is wet but I was wanting to try this a new way I read about starting fires with wet wood. And  it was about 3:00 by now and I had enough for today. 

I remembered a sweet spot (haha) to camp but wasn't sure how close I was to it. As I started to worry about setting up camp in the cold and dark I came around the bend and there it was. The perfect place for me to spend the night. I looked around to make sure no one had already claimed this perfect place and I was good. I took off my pack and started to set up my tent get it all ready so all I had to do is get in to bed. I got a fire going which was really tuff to do. Everything was so wet. I couldn't decide what to have for dinner, Since it is only the second day on the trail I have plenty of food. I poured myself a hot toddy and had some hordervers. Sat by the fire to get warm. Just like home. My home for the next 7 months.

This crash and rustling noise was far away I was listening but not to concerned and then it sounded like it was getting closer. I paid more attention now. I quickly hung up my food bag. Which is so easy to do I just have never figured out why some people just cant do it. After that I went back to the fire thinking what ever was out there would not come close to the fire. Well I was wrong.