August 25, 2018
Aspen Knob to North Cross River
Superior Hiking Trail Thru-Hike: Day 11
Right, well, just a quick note. Can't tell if it's actually raining but looks like I will definitely be in a wet tent tonight. As I was writing the first sentence I felt something, and thought "there's no way I could be getting my period again…OF COURSE I'M GETTING MY PERIOD AGAIN WHY THE FUCK WOULDN'T I BE?!
Also, either the sound of the rain just changed or I started hearing it differently because it sounds like it's splashing in puddles all of the sudden or, more accurately, suddenly sounds like pop rocks. Oh, for heaven's sake. At least the period distracts me from the rain. Or rain from the period? I don't f-ing know. It's definitely moving me/nudging towards the zen of giving up.
Why does the rain sound so weird all of the sudden? I don't know. I need to pack up and get walking. Talk to you at the end of the day form an uncomfortably wet tent probably from a sleeping bag with blood all over it. Whatever.
Evening
Journal time! Hi hello! Wow, what an intense day. So many ups and downs. Started off miserable, stayed that way for at least half the day. Called dad while plopped at the top of a foggy mountain and feebly tried to convince him to come visit tomorrow and take my extra food. Got to talk to Alex which was WONDERFUL!!
Walked through George Crosby Manitou State Park and it was intense ups and downs while getting zillions of bug bites including a deer fly to the neck.
Some rash on my ankle is growing and getting worse. Tonight I finally cleaned it and put neosporin on it but I'm not sure that will help.
It's not raining, but a heavy fog is settin in to the river valley, so I fully expect a wet tent in the morning. Hoping, however, for at least the tiniest bit of sun in the morning to dry out my things.
I can either road walk/Gitchi Gami trail walk into town in the morning or do it tomorrow evening, depending on where I want to pop out. Either way I don't necessarily have to skip a section of trail, but I might. I could ask myself if I'd regret it later and I honestly don't know. I think this is one of those cases when I make the decision tomorrow morning and choose to have JOMO about it no matter which it is that I choose.
Which, now, is kind of a revolutionary concept. Once I make a decision, live the shit out of it. Don't half ass it. If I choose to road walk, don't second guess my choice and wonder 'what if'. If I do trail, don't second guess and wonder 'what if'. Own my decision. Hike my OWN hike, whatever it looks like. Just make a choice and the instant it's made, live the shit out of that choice because it's yours!
Honestly, I love being a tough woodsy girl, but I'm so sick of being dirty and having everything dirty, sticky, and wet and stink soo bad. I just can't wait to be cozy and cute again. I have a rash on my butt from wearing the shorts all ay and it hurts. I wonder if it's anything like diaper rash. So many rashes and chafes. Also it looks like it's not that far to just do the normal trail route into Tofte (not skipping any trail), and I also have a little bit further than I thought to decide.
Overwhelmed
I walked to try and get service to call Alex and couldn't. So, I started bawling in the middle of the woods. Very similar to when, in high school, my boyfriend Sam at the time went to Tibet. If I ever missed a phone call from him, I went into near hysterics.
Recovered now, man that was fucking intense.
I had salmon and creamed greens for dinner and had to choke it down with hot fries after three bites. I have no appetite.
My eyes are all swollen and sleepy from crying so I'm going to go to bed now. Goodnight.