Summer Is In Full Swing

I am notably in full summer. The humidity has kicked up and the mosquitoes are ravenous. Berries are everywhere as well as wild life. I recently saw my first porcupine ever!! Unfortunately was fetching water and didn’t get a picture. They are more awkward than I expected, waddling slowly even when trying to get away. I have now seen seven bears, of which the only unconformable experience was with a mother and cub. The cub ran to one side of the trail and the mom stayed on the other giving me a stern look. So, I backed away and waiting 20 minutes until they reunited and sauntered off.  Though people thinks bears are the greatest risk, personally ticks and road walking scare me the most. I have found five ticks (all not attached) one was especially tiny and I was happy I noticed. On that note, I can say I feel totally at home in the woods now (aside from the occasional mosquito swarm). I have gone 11 days without a shower or laundry, sleep very well in my hammock, and feel pretty good about foraging as well. I can eat blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, porcini mushrooms and chicken of the woods. However, as I have moved north, mulberries and strawberries haven’t been seen. With that being said I am looking forward to finishing and enjoying the niceties of civilization.

 

P.S. for those of you on Instagram I have recently started posting some of my recent travels through VT and NH!! Feel free to check it out.