July 26, 2004

I broke camp by 8:30 a.m. today, after a great night's sleep.  Bear and I had a plan A and B today...either hiking 16 or 20 miles depending on our aches and pains.  We planned to have lunch at Shenandoah Mountain, but even some of the best made plans never actually take place.  I followed the wrong white blazes and ended up several miles off the A.T.  A New York State Trooper, P. Justin Wisniewski, spotted me ambling along the Taconic State Parkway and stopped.

"Where are you coming from?" he asked.

"Georgia," I responded.

"What is your name?" he asked.

"Ladybug," I said with a smile.

After I explained to him my purpose for being out in the middle of nowhere, the origin of my trailname, etc., he kindly gave me a courtesy ride to the post office in Stormville, NY.  From there, I intended to hike back to the trail and resume my hike southbound until I ran into Bear. 

I decided to eat at Danny's Pizza in Stormville before pressing onward.  The baked ziti, bread, and Diet Dew was an awesome lunch!  I thought I was going to dine on peanut butter crackers atop Shenandoah Mountain.  I went to the deli next door and purchased a New York lottery ticket.  I then pressed onward back to the trail where Bear and I met up again.  He was confused to find me hiking southbound, but not too surprised.  This is not the first time that I've been lost.  Bear is becoming accustomed to me being directionally challenged.  It is easy for me to get in the zone while hiking and unfortunately, lose focus.  Often, the white blazes are poorly marked.  Today, I inadvertently followed white patches instead of the official white blaze specific to the A.T.

I purchased a Gatorade for Bear knowing he'd enjoy it after hiking 16 miles.  He certainly did.  On our walk to dinner in Stormville, NY, I told Bear about my day.  The frustration from getting lost was overshadowed by a great meal at Danny's Pizzeria and an adventuresome afternoon with the NY State Trooper.  When I last saw Bear in the early afternoon, I had found a penny on the mountain, heads up.  I picked it up hoping for good luck.  Ladybug's are supposed to bring good luck, aren't they? Hhmmm......

P.S. I went with plan A.  I hiked 16 miles today.