Appalachian Trail (AT) Happiness: Buggy, Muggy & Happy
Hiking is something that I really, really like to do. It’s distracting, you’re in nature, and you get a nice workout that way. I would tell everyone to hike as much as they can – you just feel so much better when you get outdoors. ~ Odette Annable
Welcome to the lowlands of Massachusetts n the Summer. That’s right, humidity, gnats, blackflies and mosquitoes. So as I get ready to get back on the trail full time I’ve been slack packing Massachusetts from Lee down to South Egremont where I’ll jump back on this Sunday. Of course Summer here means warm days, high humidity and lots of bugs. I grew up in this area so I was ready for it but it still can drive you a little bit nuts. I’ve seen at least a couple of hikers wearing full head bug nets on the trail.
This area is beautiful with lots of little lakes, beaver ponds and swamps with their associated mud and bugs. The forests are amazing and I know I’m biased as these are the forests I hiked and hunted in when I was younger. Likely because of that the image I always had of hiking the AT was walking through deciduous forests with lots of pretty little streams were I could take a break and sit beside them for lunch and cool off. That’s what this area provides. There are hills sure, but these aren’t the brutal slopes of Georgia, or the big hills of NC/TN that we came through and not quite the monsters we will face in front of us in NH. This is good walking ground, with decent trails and pretty vistas.
The forest always yields up its fair share of surprises and this week has been no different, yesterday I found a tree either auditioning for a role in the next Punisher film or preparing for October’s Day of The Dead celebration.
The nice thing about flowing south is I’m running into folks I started NOBO with in March. This week I’ve bumped into Papa Lou, Salmon and Food Walker and his wife, so good to see folks from my trail community.
There are also lots of field crossings in the Northeast and this leg has been no different, another fence crossing, and more cows hiding in the shade to avoid the heat. I felt their pain, with temps in the high 80’s and humidity readings to match I was soaked all day. But look at my face above, even a muggy, buggy day on the trail is better than a good day in the default world.
So go get yourself some miles my friends and have a happy day ~ Rev Kane
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