Day 18

(My lunch spot)

Day 18-

Spent the morning wondering about my piloting. Can I fly A-10's near DC? I need to find out. Can I volunteer for the civil air patrol?

Today's 21 mile jaunt left me a lot of time to see the wildlife and think about stuff. Saw some turkeys - yesterday I was attacked by a grouse! Saw some deer. Plenty of birds and rodents. Good stuff.

Hiked more than 9 miles in 3 hours this morning, humping it up a big bald before noon. What a lunch spot; cashed my peanut butter on the top of a mountain! Fuckin' A. I think I have head lice. Little jumping bugs all over my stuff. That sucks. Good thing I only have 25 or so lbs of gear to wash. *Day 25 update- no weird bugs in my hair.

Any who, Ben and Kenji show up while I'm chowing down like mad on my snacks. I took some pictures and headed off. Storms threaten all afternoon but none hit. 21 miles is a long way. I stop for water because I'm drinking so much. Fresh filtered out of a mountain stream? Yes it is that good. Ben and I hit the shelter at the same time anf find it full of old dudes. We pitch our tents and make dinner right before a huge storm rolls in. 1st real test of the Big Agnes tent. She's dry as a bone! Two Lions has named me 'Spaceman' which I cool with me. Tomorrow we'll head into town for supplies, A&W, Mexican food and junk. They seem to have adopted me, so I'll keep with them (should keep me ahead of schedule) as long as it makes sense. I was wrong, I don't feel lonely without Dad. Everyone out here is a friend until they prove otherwise. Rain on the tent tonight. I will sleep well...

*You might not know this but before I left for the trail, I failed a flight physical on my way to becoming an Air Force pilot. I'm a private pilot right now and things are looking good for me as far as my flying career is concerned. I love sleeping in tents in the rain.





A doodle