Mapping the Sheltowee

[chester]

Day 8 – Just north of Holly Bay to Route 80 in London (19.4 miles with one ford)

Thomas left way before I awoke so I was not even aware that I was in the woods alone. It was well into daylight before I even poked out of my tent.

This was where the landscape of the trail began to change dramatically. Up until now, it was mostly backpacking trail with a little bit of road walking. Now I was getting into the multiuse section of the trail. For the next several days, I was to be hiking on trail used by ATVs and horses. When it wasn’t a multi-use trail, it was either a gravel or asphalt road. I would rarely get the chance to hike on a pristine backpacking trail until I hit Natural Bridge State Park. Looking back, it was probably the hardest section of the hike both mentally and physically.

So I plunged through the wilderness dodging rocks kicked up by horses and puddles created by ATV’s. Slowly my energy began to drain from my body. The hiking was more challenging than before, but it was still pretty easy and my mind began to wander. When my mind wanders I create drama in my head. I began to worry about camping in the woods that evening. I had seen a couple of people on horses that morning so I was hoping to run into another group and camp with them. Wouldn’t you know it, as the day was coming to an end, the trail turned back into a backpacking trail again. As I crossed over Route 80 I secretly hoped that someone would stop and ask me if I needed shelter for the evening. None of this happened so I stepped back into the woods and began searching for a camping spot. I felt like sleeping close to the road that evening, just out of sight. The noise of the traffic would provide me with a little comfort.

I found a spot and began to set up camp. That was when I started hearing the neighborhood dogs from some houses close by. By the time I had dinner, I had the company of the dogs who protected me well into the night.

Yet another night not spent alone in the woods. This solo hiking wasn’t so hard.