all over
Some of what follows is from my own experience, some from the experience of others. All of it comes from being on the trail. Consider what you find here as wisdom, or more likely, dumbness.
1 reading a map
On a topographical map, contour lines which are close together indicate an uphill. When the lines are far apart, you have a downhill.
2 natural v artificial
Anything found in the woods made of wood or stone, such as bridges, steps or guide rails, are naturally occurring artifices. If it is made of metal or plastic, then a human put it there.
3 North Country Trail
The North Country Trail is only partially finished. When completed, this foot trail will stretch 3200 miles from New York to North Dakota. The wondrous quality about the North Country Trail is that, no matter which direction you hike, you will always be traveling north. Hence the name.
4 wildlife
Pink ribbons tied on tree branches in the woods, at least three hundred yards from a road, indicate the presence of dragon…
– one ribbon, dragon sighting has been reported
– two ribbons, dragon sighting has been reported and confirmed
– three ribbons, confirmed presence of a dragon den nearby
Unless you are a wizard — and some of us are — three ribbons is a clear indication of danger. But not necessarily from dragons. What the heck, walk softly anyway.
5 the wonder of it all
Your pack is always heavier on the second day.
Taking pictures makes your camera heavier. This was established as true for film cameras but has not yet been confirmed for digital.
6 how temperature works
You are much warmer after climbing a steep hill because you are closer to the sun.
7 Insect repellent doesn’t.
8 Strike anywhere matches don’t.
9 Biodegradable soap isn’t.
10 Waterproof matches aren’t.
11 Bears like music. If you meet up with a bear, sing to it. But beware, bears cannot carry a tune. (This from my brother Laurence.)
12 The wind always blows in the same direction that the sun shines.
13 Many more things are possible after the sun has gone down. Magic prevails.