Are you together?

A lot of things have changed since we left Springer Mt. almost two months ago.We are eating so much now we can’t share a food bag. We are used to atleast 12 miles a day and sometimes more. Our wardrobes have almost entirely changed due to weather and blisters. I now get rocked to sleep every night in my hammock and in the mornings we don’t have coffee anymore because we have sent our stove ahead (which is cleverly called snack packing). 

Even with all that has changed, some things have stayed consistent. Most notably, people we meet still assume that we are a couple. When we cut all our hair off before leaving Kansas we both guessed that this might happen. Since in our culture, short hair seems to be a clear indicator of a women’s sexual orientation. But as we have been asked over and over “are you together?” or “when did you two meet?” I’ve started to evaluate the situation a bit more. It doesn’t bother either of us to be assumed lesbians but I have wondered if it’s more than the short hair that’s leading people to this conclusion. 

From the start of the trip people noticed that we are nearly inseparable, sharing everything, and constantly giggling. We were told later by a friend that he assumed we were together because we were eating a meal from the same pot before heading to bed in our one-person tent. 

We have few boundaries at this point. We have helped each other out with tricky pimples, we pee next to each other consistently and even use our matching pee rags (that I sewed myself) to wipe. So I guess I can see why people may jump to conclusions when they meet us. 

Another question we get asked is “are you two friends?” To this we both reply “No, we’re cousins.” I had never really considered the difference. We have never considered each other “close” but as we go to bed with our sleeping bags practically overlapping there is no denying our proximity. There is something about our bond that is beyond friendship. I think it is this relationship that has people stumped for a minute. 

Whatever the reason for the assumptions, I’m glad it has made me aware of the unique relationship Molly and I have. Friends can float in and out of your life but we couldn’t get rid of each other if we wanted to. So, I will continue to eat her leftovers and deal with her terrible farts as we climb these mountains with our matching pee rags proudly blowing in the wind. 

Thanks Moose 🙂