Date: 2004-06-15
From: Dutch Haus B & B - Montebello, VA

To: Tree Streets Inn B & B - Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: light rain

Wow - what a gorgeous place. This is a 1914 Colonial Revival with sweeping staircase, library and parlor, pool, porch, beautiful landscaping and formal dining. (How many zero hiking days dare we take?) We arrived a little wetter than we began this morning. Our last five miles were in a gentle cooling rain which ended before we got here, but left us dripping regardless. Just as Lois at Dutch Haus met us with bathrobes in hand, Bill met us with slippers.....our bathrobes were waiting in our room! The wet gear went to the attic to dry out, we went directly to the shower.My rubber floppies worked well for me again today but were a tad slippery going downhill on a muddy slope. I stayed upright though, no tumbles. And best of all, no pain. Ursa Minor isn't quite so fortunate. Her owies hurt big time. Original plans of all three of us were to take a zero day tomorrow. However, having already received our maildrop we intend to head out about noon for a short seven-mile hike. If Ursa Minor is still hurting we might reinstate the zero.Today was the first time we saw no other hikers. About 30 minutes behind us were Skirt and Dingle, but we met no one and no one passed us. Odd! The day was peppered with some solo hiking, an opportunity for reflective and contemplative thoughts, and some companionship and good conversation and laughs with my trail sister, Ursa Minor. I've overheard several hikers who are bored with the trail right now because of the "lack of views and spectacular vistas". To me the entire area is a gorgeous view. To be totally engulfed by trees, mountain greenery and blooms, rocks, mosses, mushrooms, squirrels, chipmunks and deer feels as though I also am a living entity of nature's wildness. What vista could be more beautiful?As I walk I try to draw upon the storage of energy, strength and magnificence of my surroundings. I'm in awe as I contemplate the power and force which created these mountains and these ancient rocks. I'm inspired as I see the blooms of the forest floor opening in a display of delicate petals and rich perfumes, an annual ritual occurring with no pampering or interference by the human hand. I watch the smallest creatures from the ants and caterpillars, millipedes, snails, turtles, and butterflies to the songbirds, the ravens, the vultures, and I marvel. Actually I find myself envious of their freedom to live every moment thinking only of that moment, sans concerns of yesterday or tomorrow. How can anyone be bored out here? If the scenery seems a bit less dazzling than the Smoky Mountains, the mind's creativity, imagination and recall can fill the void for hours and miles on end.But if one is truly bored, he can land at the Dutch Haus or Tree Streets B & B and be pampered! Neither environment is true reality in one's daily life; but for now it's the best of both worlds. I'll deal with reality in October.Headline news! Ursa Minor saw a bear cub today!! Of course, where there's a cub, there's usually a Mama. So she quickly passed by, hoping she wasn't between the two. I was a little too far ahead for her to get my attention.    But I'm assured there are many bear to see up the trail. Tomorrow we enter the Shenandoahs.Del: I moved a painted turtle off the trail today -- where were you?!! But I'm happy to report the tale proved true. We headed to a gas station to phone for our ride to this B & B. Halfway there a young gal, Mary, pulled over and asked if we needed a ride. We didn't even use our thumbs! She drove us right to the front door. I shall continue to move painted turtles gently off the trail and then watch for my next trail angel. None could be better than you, Del. Thanks for the note in my guest book!! You made me smile .........hugs from Swan-ster.