Date: 2004-05-11
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Bland Va
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: light rain

Today Rocked!! I'm in Bland, Va (aptly named) at the "Big Walker Motel", where I am crashing in Franco and Benny's room. Bland essentially consists of a hotel and a Gas Station/Dairy Queen... who could ask for anythign more? Ive just finished 2 Coronas, watched an NBA playoff game, and I'm about to watch "Family Guy"... AHH! Now about my day:I awoke at 7:30am after a goodnight sleep despite the snoring. By 8 am I hit the trail and ran into Franco and Benny who had camped a tenth of a mile from the shelter. I hiked on alone and went over Brushy Mountain. There are 9 Brushy Mountains in Va and 6 along the trail... this is the 3rd so far. After reaching the to I had an awesome time of prayer and walked down the mountain. At the bottom I hit Little Wolf Creek and ran into Socks. We sang hymns together and crossed the creek 27 times in 2 miles. There were no bridges and few rocks so we both decided to just plow through and soak our feet. I was soacked after 27 times wading through a creek, but whatever... it was a blast.After 5 miles we took a break at a campsite and I ent to help fertizlize the Rhodedendron . We also found a cooler full of juice and we both grabbed a grape juice. Trail magic ROCKS! Apparently, according to a note, the "Local NRA chapter" had target practice on the stop sign near the campsite about 2 weeks earlier and scared "theo" half out of his mind. Luckilly, no hyperactive rifle bearing men were around when we came through.The next 6 miles struck me as a land of green enchantment. The woods simply smelled sweet. We passed through ferns enveloping us on both sides, pines towering above with needles to pad the path, and bright pink phlox accenting the edges of the trail. The grade was easy, the trail beautiful and our minds were lost in thoughts of nature and Dairy Queen burgers. I sang a "DQ Song" that went something like this:I'm lost in green, Nature's DreamI see the pines and pine for Ice CreamSuch beauty as I head North from SouthI want to put a burger in my mouthOh Dairy Queen...The song was longer but I'll spare you. Socks and I were laughing as we finished our descent to the road. We met Sundance, Yoda, and Mad Scientist and chatted briefly. Then we began to hitch. Bland is only a 3 mile hitch but after 30 minutes we had no hitch and Socks had begun to walk. I was beginning to become discontented when al at once 2 vehicles pulled over.. WOW! I went from no ride to 2. I picked a vehicle and headed to Bland, we picked up Socks on the way. Our ride was sweet and she dropped us off at DQ where we would finally sate the cravings described in the aforementioned song. I ate a Flamethrower with fries and a coke... YUM! As I recovered in the booth in a state of sheer bliss, Marzipan walked up.I had not seen Marzipan since Erwin (missing journal section). When she sat down, we started catching up I told her about my missing beer that was stolen in Kincora HOstel and how sad I had been to open my "present" and find 3 empty beer bottles. When I mentioned it I saw her eyes light up and I told her I thought I knew who it was. She asked who and I told her "Hey Bob" (Santa the jerk) and "Syracuse"... she confirmed that I was correct. I still cant imagine stealing someones gift beer... they even made up a lie about how they dumped it out since it is a religous hostel. Anyhow, I hope to give them a 6-pack of Corona one day and I'll let them drink their own guilt. Marzipan and I talked about hiking and religion, but I ran away upon seeing Franco and Benny in order to secure a spot in their room.I am now in the room and I created a makeshift bed out of 3 chairs adn 2 pillows... I love being a bum. Franco and Benny are chill guys who have been best friends for 18 years. They are both about 30 and while not extreme extroverts are really cool. Benny let me use his phone; so I contacted home, called my mail drop person (I love you Micki), and called REI (hiking store) about a pair of pants with a rip in them. It was cool to talk to friends and even crazier when I talked to Elizabeth at REI. Partly through our conversation she says: "Do you know Jackie Wheeler?" Jackie is one of my friends who I met through my sister Carla. Mildly flabergasted I replied "yes" and started talking to her. Apparently she had heard about my hike through Jackie, who follows my journals. It weirded me out and now I feel like a celebrity Upon reflection, My day was wonderful and tomorrow I will hitch to Damascus Va for the hiker festival: "Trail Days". While there, I am going t wait tables Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night. This town may be "Bland" but I'm so content. I walked through a gorgeous sectoin of trail, I had a shower, I had a great prayer time, I ate at Dairy Queen (twice) and now I'm going to bed in a room with 4 walls... ahhhh.God Bless!BEATBOX   ttt