August 3, 2004

Bear and I hiked with Mouse Bait and White Patch today.  As I hiked to a pond this morning, the three of them were taking in the view.

"Wow," I said. "This is a perfect opportunity for a swim."

There isn't a thru-hiker out here who isn't capable of creating one's own fun.  After 1,500 miles, we are becoming more and more spontaneous.  We skinny-dipped and yes, Bear and White Patch were perfect gentlemen to look the other way while Mouse Bait and I were getting in and out of the pond.  What a refreshing way to begin a day's hike on the A.T.!  We giggled at ourselves and perched ourselves on individual rocks below the surface. The bottom of the pond was thick with mud!

As I hiked onward, I felt invigorated from the dip in the pond.  I also thought about the camaraderie among thru-hikers and our experiences on the trail for the past four months.  We are all blessed to be truly living in God's natural world.  Today, I swam to the music of bullfrogs.  How cool is that?