Date: 2004-06-20
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Pearisburg, Va 
Miles today: 1.3
Weather: clear sky

1.3 miles.Well, I was in a ton of pain yesterday. I woke up and it still hurt but it was better. So, I still had a decision to make. And I still didn't know what to do. I started to hike. It hurt. I had to take small steps and stepping up hurt. And of course the mud hurt. When I slipped a sharp pain would shoot through my hip. The nearest road was 1.3 miles from us. The problem was that it was a forrest service road. Those aren't used very much so I didn't hold out any hope. As I was walking down the hill towards the road I slipped in the mud and right on my hip. Yowweee! I sat there for a moment and realized if I could get a ride I needed to take a few days off. As the road neared I started seeing all of these colors. They were cars. It was so odd because these roads are normally so deserted. At first I thought that I had run across a used car lot. It was so odd to see all of those cars and trucks at a forest sevice road. K~bear and One thing came down and right then a !man came walking down to his truck. It turns out that all the vehicles were from an A.T. maintaining club. And this guy was leaving as soon as he was packed up. He had a five hour drive home and agreed to take me to Pearisburg, even though it was an hour out of his way. He took us up to their camp and they had a huge kitchen setup WITH food! Eggs, sausage, coffee, peanut butter and jelly and bread and tea and fresh fruits. They were amazing. They were all so friendly. I wish I could remember all their names to thank them. I do remember Crone.....it was great talking to her. Keith drove me to Pearisburg and told me some great stories. He wouldn't take any money and what perfect timing. In Pearisburg we stopped at a welding supply store for directions to the hostel and the clerk said that he lived right next door and if I could wait a minute he would drop me.Oh,before I forget....the guy who drove me into Pearisburg.....his name was Keith and I loved his purple socks! Here I am at the hostel, still not sure if I made the right decision. Honestly, I felt horrible I had to get off the trail. First there were lots of people here that I knew....and people here that I only know through trail registers. That was kindof cool. Of course Doosie was here. Lol....I just keep running into her. Nomad, and Smack and Scorch and Phoenix and Morning star and wipeout came in today. And Yogi who I hiked with way back when was there too. It turns out that in the 10 mile section where I fell, lots of other people got hurt too.It is taking me forever to tell this story.A family here in Pearisburg on every Saturday night hosts a dinner for hikers. Ray and Stefanie Smith and family. I would mention the kids names but I can't remember one of them and so it's better left unsaid. But they were the four most amazing kids. But don't let me forget Grandma cause she was amazing too. I hope your knee gets better soon.They had free internet and laundry and long distance calls. Stephanie is the most amazing woman, mom, cook...everything. You did good Granny!The food was the best food I have had in ages. Except of course for yours Brenda! Vegtable lasagna, two big pots of stew and home made breads and dips and an incredible salad and fresh grapes and cantaloupe. Mmmmmmmm.......I ate way too much. Especialy considering that my belly had been hurting. And dessert. Homemade cookies that one of the sons had made for the fair and carrott cake and ice cream. We ate so much and talked so much and laughed.....and Steph during your talk before dinner you almost made me cry and anyone who knows me will tell you that, that is not an easy thing to do.After dinner we went out to their back yard where Ray had built a 20 ft high climbing wall and treehouse combo. They got the climbing gear out and strapped people up and beleted them. I know I am spelling that wrong but I am just a plumber pipefitter and not an english major. And besides spelling don't kount, right?It was cool watching people climb...I wish I could have done it but my hip and belly said no no. Maybe I will come and visit them next year and give it a try.Kudos to you, Smith family! You guys made all of us feel like family. And we are still talking about it today. What is amazing to me is that I never would have met any of them had I not fallen on that bridge at 6:30 the previous morning. Life is funny that way. And the trail seems to provide just what I need, when I need it. How cool is that???sparepocket