1.  I find that I am talking to things as if they could converse with me. For example, I was hiking alone 2 days ago and was about to round a corner and heard loud crashing in the woods. I stopped cold thinking I was about to have my first bear encounter. Eek! So I made noise and gingerly rounded the corner when more noise came from above me. I looked up and to my great relief, there were 2 deer rushing off. So what did I do? I thanked the deer for being deer and not a mama bear with cubs. Out loud!

Another example, I saw a massive tree on the trail and commented to it:"my you are big, can I take your picture?". Then took the picture and thanked the tree! Yup, I am really gelling with the AT!

More observations later. I just want to thank you all for the cheers and words of encouragement. Hiking 10 to 16 miles a day is hard (brutal) work. No walk in the park. You are cold, you are hungry, thirsty, tired of hauling a heavy pack, hot and sweaty and in pain. What keeps us going is your support and our commitment to raising a whole lot of $ for a good cause.

2.  My most favourite thing to do, after eating supper, is to climb into my sleeping bag and going to sleep by sundown which is before 8 pm. You have to remember that I hate mummy sleeping bags because they are so restrictive. I like to be able to move my legs. So I was thrilled to buy the Marmot plasma bag because it was wider at the hips but reticent that I would still feel claustrophobic every night. Well I am loving it. It is warm, roomy enough and soooo comfy. I am asleep within minutes of zipping myself in and hate having to climb out in the morning.

 — feeling fabulous.

3. I have begun to meditate as I walk and my mantra is "ohm my pack is too heavy, ohm my damn pack is too heavy, ohm of someone would carry the heavy pack..." You get the gist.

 — feeling silly.