Date: 2003-06-21
From: Hightop Hut

To: Swift Run Picnic Area - Harrisonburg, VA
Miles today: 6.0

The temperatures must have been in the low 30s last night because it was super COLD! I haven¢t wished for my gloves once since the end of April, but last night I longed for them and about three more layers of clothing. If summer keeps going like this, I may really need a heavier duty sleeping system. I almost instated a huddle pile for all people in the shelter with fleece (read: inadequate) sleeping bags last night. I think we were all pretty frosty. Sleeping cold and uncomfortably last night was a great motivator to get up and out this morning. I was out by 7:30 or so. I had to motor to make it over to meet Bridget at the picnic area. Jonny asked if he could get a ride to meet his friends at Loft Mtn. Campground; I figured that wouldn¢t be a problem. He arrived at the picnic area around 10:30, too, after having hiked an extra three miles out of his way. Coming up the path to the picnic area I hear the familiar call of my friends: ¢Le-ann-na¢¦¢ They came jogging down the path; wanting very much to also express my excitement I tried to pick up my feet faster and more frequently. Until this point I hadn¢t actually tried to run with my pack on; it¢s pretty difficult ¢ damned near impossible, actually. So I sufficed to walk really fast so as to expedite getting lots of hugs when I met them. Catherine and Bridget had left very early from DC to meet me this morning. We still weren¢t firm on what we wanted to do for the night but one thing was clear, a cabin at one of the campgrounds was out of the question, because there were no vacancies. I felt like we were guaranteed rain that evening, so camping and grilling out would likely be a bummer. We figured we¢d go see what we could find in town. Before leaving for town, they fed Jonny and I a huge fruit salad, girl scout cookies and a spinach salad. We drove towards Elkton and got groceries at the Food Lion, which included tons of Oreo Cookies (that I¢d been craving) and a 12 gallon of milk (b/c you can¢t eat Oreos without milk). Over the next two days, with Oreos constantly at hand, I sated that desire for the chocolate cookie with the creamy filling. I don¢t think I¢ll want to see another Oreo for a very long time. Milk will always hit the spot. We continued driving to Harrisonburg, VA where we got a room at the Motel 6. Jonny got one for he and his friends next door. We did laundry and made a Wal-mart run that afternoon. I mad a ¢big¢ purchase of a new lightweight radio because the one that Spur and Ready sent was only effective when I was sitting still. That just doesn¢t happen out here. Some other folks have this Sony Runners Radio that is the envy of the trail ¢ now I no longer need to long for someone else¢s electronic item. I have my own. It was so refreshing to be with my girlfriends. We laughed and told stories about what¢s been happening with each of us. They were so encouraging and supportive of my trip. It was another great reminder to just keep doing what I¢m doing ¢ and hike. That evening we had contemplated going out to eat but instead grilled in front of our Motel Rooms with Jonny and his friends Brian and Andrea. We grilled burgers and veggies, then just about everything else we could put our hands on ¢ spinach, yellow pepper¢¦ It was so delightful to hang out and relax. One observation I had though was that the sky was clear; it made it a pity that we hadn¢t stayed at a campground. Of course, when else will I get to have a BBQ at a Motel 6?Having people that can unabashedly make fun of me, reminds me how much they care. The ongoing joke centers on my telling them about how I¢ve had to sleep recently on the trail. I sleep with my knees to the ground, head to the ground, butt in the air. Ever since Waynesboro my butt muscle has been pulled. When it gets really stiff and sore when I sleep, I assume this position to relieve the pressure. Well, there was no end to the joking on that one, but they kept me laughing, too. I think we finally got to bed around 11:30 ¢ heartily content with the food, friends and fun of the day. I got word from Bridget that when Two Dog or Windtalker (whichever one made the call) called Bridget to let her know that I wouldn¢t make it to Big Meadows, Bridget revealed her plan to ¢kidnap¢ me from the trail and take me to DC. Two Dog told her that morale has been pretty low on the trail recently ¢ taking me too far from the trail might make it difficult for me to return. Bridget opted not to take me back to the city ¢ which was probably the best move.