Date: 2005-05-24
From: Rocky Run Shelter

To: Esign Cowell Shelter
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: mist

This was certainly an interesting day. I was up and packed by 7:30am. The rain continued from the day before, but not very hard. I was able to wear only my rain jacket. After about an hour I had not seen any of the references I should have from the guide book. I stopped at a trail sign for Bear Spring Cabin, checked the guide and discovered I had been hiking south. The white blazes look the same if you are going north or south. I said a few words under my breath and turned back around. I wasn't real happy but at least I didn't walk to the previous shelter. This wasn¢t the first time I headed south, I guess I didn¢t learn my lesson the first time. In all that made it a 20 mile day and I did not get to the shelter until 7:30pm. As expected I've been getting some good natured kidding from everyone.I had two town meals today. I got to the road leading to Boonsboro and got a quick hitch into town. I guess people feel sorry for you when its raining. The driver asked where I was going and I said I was looking for a restaurant for a meal. He said he would drop me off in the middle of town where there were some places to eat. He dropped me off and I headed into a nearby Subway. As I was eating three women came in and sat down at the next table. As I was putting on my pack they asked if I was a thru hiker. They had a lot of questions which I answered and I gave them the website address. One of the ladies said she was going back towards the trail and I could have a ride if I waited a couple of minutes while she finished eating. I waited and got my ride back. I was in and out of town with a meal in less than an hour and half. A good day.One of the sites I worked at about a year ago, F&K, was located near here and I had decided if I had a chance I would try and go by. Rainy weather was once again on my side, and I got a ride within 5 minutes. He dropped me off right at the facility. The CFO who I wanted to see was out so I asked for Sherri, one of the other people that I had trained.She walked out and asked what I needed. Mind you I'm standing there with a wet rain jacket on and the hat I have. She didn¢t recognize me and had a ¢don't waste my time¢ look on her face. I took off my hat and asked again if she recognized me. Again, she said no. That¢s when I said I was Richard from Advanced Answers on Demand, the name of the company I had worked for. It shocked her so much she took a step back and her face said it all, she just couldn't beleive it. She asked where did I go, (meaning all the weight I have lost). I was much heavier the last time she saw me plus I now have a full beard.We went and saw Kelly, another person I worked with. It was the same reaction. They both asked about the hike and were amazed I had walked all the way from GA. I tried to interest them in some training so I could have some billable time on my hike, but they said no. I think they were afraid they would have to pay the two and half months travel time it took me to get there. We took some pictures and Sherri said she would drive me back. I told her I wanted to go to the Dogpatch Saloon to be dropped of. She got this funny look on her face and asked if I knew that it was a biker bar. I said yes but they have food. I was dropped off there, got a burger, a coke, and a grilled cheese sandwich. I told Sherri to have some fun with the picture they took of me. I said she should write a very formal email, with the picture attached, and send it to my old boss. I told her to mention that AAOD staff are expected to be properly dressed and bathed before they come to work and that she refuses to pay the two and a half months travel time it took me to get there.Anyway, it is long past my bed time. Goodnight.