5/9/13 -- Day 24 - Just me and the stars, on top of a mountain.

May 9, 2013

Day 24 – Green Corner Rd (SBF) to Max Patch Summit
13.3 miles, 254.1 total

This morning I had my leftover pizza for breakfast, and two microwave Bacon, Egg and Cheese biscuits.  I also took another shower in that wonderful hot rainfall shower.  Once again, it was amazing.  Then I resupplied, and paid my bill (all on the honor system).  I was then ready to hike.   So I did.

About seven miles in, I reached a shelter, along with a guy who said he didn’t know if he wanted to keep going.  We talked a little, and I told him that some days are definitely miserable especially with the cold and rain, but if every day is miserable, then maybe you actually don’t want to hike the Appalachian Trail.  It’s something you have to discover for yourself.  For me – I have loved every day on the AT so far, even the miserable ones.  Seriously!

Around 4 p.m., I reached Max Patch Summit.  It is a grassy bald with 360 degree views for miles.  Absolutely gorgeous.  Everyone has said it is their favorite part of the trail so far – so I decided to camp here.  I set up my tent – by the way, the wind was at about a constant 20 mph, if not more – taking care not to let anything blow away.  The wind was gusting so hard it actually started to cave in one side of my tent.  Great.  So I got a trekking pole and made an anchor to hold that side out – I was on a bald, so there were no trees to tie it to.  I felt pretty cool.  I was the only one out there.  I don’t think anyone else wanted to deal with the wind.

So I spent most of my evening sitting outside and reading a book I picked up at the hostel, and just staring at the amazing views.   I watched the sunset.  Gorgeous.  After the sun went down, I could see hundreds of stars.  Amazing.  And on the edge of the world, I could see the lights of a town sparkling in the distance.  Absolutely breathtaking.

What was even better was that when I lay down outside, I could see nothing in my peripheral vision.  It was like I was in my own personal planetarium.

Just me and the stars, on top of a mountain.  Just livin’ the dream…