Independent Reading (#4, prompt 4)

In chapter 4, Katz and Bryson met someone and actually stayed with her, and camped with her. Her name was Mary Ellen, and at first I was surprised, because I would expect you to come across many people while walking the Appalachian Trail, but I would expect them to also be accompanied by at least another person, as one probably should not hike alone. Mary Ellen was alone, and clearly needed someone else's company. So that part I can understand but as I was exposed to more of her personality, I became more and more surprised that they stayed with her. She was exceedingly arrogant and rude. "How many miles did you do today?" "About ten." "Ten? Is that all? Wow, you guys must be really out of shape." That itself made an impression on Katz and Bryson.

So, annoyed by her presence, they eventually ditched her, which was also a bit of a surprise. It seems like at least Bryson would try to come up with a more polite way to part ways, despite her lack thereof.