Date: 2014-05-27
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: VA 606 Trent's Grocery
Miles today: 6.5
Weather: broken clouds

I was so proud of how I put up my bear bag, I took a picture of it. I could not find a tree slanted enough to hang the bag 10' from the trunk. I threw the rope over two tree crotches and tied the bear bag with an in-line knot between the two.   I started the day with mixed emotions. Today I was going to go off the trail to go to my nephew's high school graduation. I was going to miss the trail. I loved the freedom of the trail to do what I wanted, when I wanted. I did not need to wait for a more convenient time to use the facilities. The minute I was tired or hungry, I started eating. If my feet were the slightest uncomfortable, I stopped, took off my shoes and socks, rested and then put them back on. I liked singing when I felt like it. I had hiked most of the trail with a hole in the back side of my pants and no one had said any thing. Either they did not notice or they knew I only had one pair of pants, the ones I had on. I was a little concerned my husband would miss me so much, I would not be able to return. On the other side, real food, with a shower and a comfortable bed were very enticing.   At the top of Brushy Mountain was Jim resting on the side of the trail. We fell into conversation. I sat down and took off my shoes and socks. For years he has been hiking the trail for three weeks at a time. He will complete the AT soon. He said it is hard to explain to the people at work why he hikes the AT. The first trip back, he could barely walk, and yet he returned. As several seasoned hikers had told me, it is the people on the trail that makes him return.   For me, people on the trail talk about important things like relationships. The distractions of the world are just that and not mentioned on the trail. Money is simply a way to purchase food, not status or something to sacrifice time, relationships or morals for. I like how people on the trail can be so open about their life experiences. The trail is a special place. I believe there have been years of prayers covering the trail and it infuses the people who hike it.   There was thunder off in the distance. Jim and I quickly packed up and got prepared for a downpour. I did not want to be on the ridge if lightening came. As it turned out, it was just a faint rain. I love this kind of rain. It cools things off but I don't get soaked or cold.   I got to VA 606. The YWAM vans were in the parking area. I hiked the half mile to Trent's Grocery. I told the cashier I wanted food and a shower. She asked which I wanted first. I ordered a pizza with extra cheese, Italian sausage and pepperoni. It took about 20 minutes but it was wonderful. I did not realize I had ordered a whole pizza and was not sure I was going to be able to finish it. In walked Jim. I invited him to take as many pieces as he wanted. We chatted. He left and I paid for my pizza and shower. The cashier gave me a ziploc bag to save my leftover pizza.    The shower was a short walk up a dirt road to a concrete block building. Jim was lying in the grass waiting for the hot water to heat up after the last people took showers. He was beat and going to camp there the night. He said if he was me, he would wait and take a shower at home. He was right. I missed the bathtub floor, extra soft towels and other comforts of my shower at home. This shower had a concrete floor and exposed pipes. It still felt good to be clean.   I drove from Trent's Grocery. I offered two hikers a ride back to the trail. It turned out to be Brian and his friend. His friend said, "Iris, you got a car." I said, "It is amazing. All you have to do is have a key and they give you a car." I dropped them off at the trail and drove to Mount Rogers Outfitters in Damascus VA to buy a tent tarp. Now that I had showered and changed into a skirt, I was not identified as a hiker. I also purchased a Olicamp Space Saver Mug that a Nalgene bottle fits inside. I took a nap in the parking lot and drove three hours home. I had lost four pounds in 8 days.