Sunday, August 15, 2004
With Sad Anger, I'm Hiking My Own Hike
08/15/04
Headline: The Gypsy has left the Traveling Show amid condemnations about not being a mind reader.
Last night Spur let me know they'd want a late start since they'd pulled in at 10:30PM.
I was up at 5:30 AM and waited until 10 to leave, then took a 1.5 hour lunch break. Apple Pie and Spur arrived at my lunch spot just as I was heading out. Apple Pie's first words to me, presented with a sour expression to match her vitriolic tone, were something about me not waiting for them. She walked on to sit on the beach along the tributary as Spur walked up to me.
Apparently I was supposed to know to wait at the road yesterday, and then the lake. Never mind that I had about an hour break in the morning talking with The Animal and a 2.5 hour lunch break, both taken with the knowledge that Apple Pie and Spur had some catching up to do.
I couldn't say much to Spur as he justified their actions and pointed out my errors.
We ended by me giving Apple Pie my extra food because it looks like, at their current pace, it will take an extra day for them to get to Togwotee Pass. I told them that I wanted to hike ahead to get my left foot x-rayed. Now, later in the day, I don't think it needs it, but I may still drop into Dubois to have it looked at. I've been soaking it in cold water and elevating it to facilitate healing.
Yes, Apple Pie is sick. She's been sick for a while, sick enough that if it were me, I would go to the doctor. I'd take the extra day to see a doctor rather than hike the trail at a slower pace. But that's just what I'd do. I do many things differently from the way she does things.
She's had several opportunities to get to a doctor, but has passed.
What I won't do is let her control my hike anymore. Three hikers are 2 days ahead, well 2.5, now that I spent another day at Apple Pie's pace. Yogi and Dewey are about 8 days ahead. Plus, I've enjoyed hiking alone. There's far less to process hiking alone.
I only wish I had not bounced my tent to Rawlins, which is in southern Wyoming. The Gypsy can not read minds, nor can the Gypsy see the future. I feel good about this decision.
