Artistman

TheArtistman
2009-07-14 16:06:37 (UTC)

July 7th, Tuesday

Hey...today I took a ride up to the Appalachian Trail. I
hiked North on the trail for about half an hour where I
found a nice spot off the trail about 50 yards or so. I
really enjoyed the hike for the sun was casting those long
shadows throught the trees. It was the early afternoon and
still quite warm out. I pitched up my long distance
backpacking hammock and crawled in and layed there
enjoying the silence (except for the occasional bird or
squirrel)...and in time fell asleep for a bit. I slept a
little longer than I planned (about six hours) but regret
nothing. There is something about waking up in the woods
in a hammock that I really dig. Headed back to my van
after a bit of hanging out. On the way back I stopped at a
shelter that on a blue blaze off the trail. Its called
the "Kirkridge shelter". Here I grabbed a quick bite to
eat then headed out again.
FYI
A.T. shelter: most are three sided wood structures with a
platform wood floor for throwing a sleeping bag on to
crash. They are primarily used by thru hikers hiking the
Appalachian Trail but are open to everyone as they are by
the most part..free. In front of the shelters usually have
a fire-ring of some type and in some states there is also
a privy (outhouse) nearby.

Once back to the parking lot at the trailhead I noticed
that there was trash all over...broken
bottles...packaging...etc. of which i had noticed stewn
about last week when I came up to hike. I grabbed a
garbage bag and proceeded to clean up the parking lot. I
really started getting into it and filled a whole black
garbage bag. It really sucks that there are a very few
number of people that go "outdoor ethics"...pack out what
you pack in. Oh well, thats life.




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