Date: 2016-05-18
From: 755.7 middle creek campground

To: mile marker 784.3
Miles today: 28.6

Today is Wednesday, day 55. I am at mile marker 784.3. I covered 28.6 miles today. I hiked from 6:35 until 4:45. Today I slack packed... That is why I was able to cover so many miles. And now for the story: Pour yourself and extra cup of coffee or glass of wine.... Or both, as this will be a tad long. Yesterday, I only hiked 3 miles and then planted myself in a recreational room at a camp ground. I ate all day long and watched old movies. At 5 ish a man came into the room, eating an ice cream cone. He said, hey, where is the pool table that was in here last year. I don't know, I'm just here to avoid all the rain and the owner said I could sleep on the couch. He sits down... And we start chatting. He tells me that his wife, I Believe, thru hiked in 2014, and they come back to help other hikers. He said he was retired from a fire department out of Louisiana. I start grinning because I can't wait to tell him... I'm from Louisiana. He finishes his story and I say: I'm from Louisiana and my name is.... He interrupts me and says... Don't tell me (your name) ... But before he could shut me up... I say, my name is Bunkie. He says, So you are Bunkie!! Wait I have to get my wife... Sherri get in here, guess who this is!!! It is Bunkie! Now, I am sitting there wondering.. What is happening.. He told me they had been following my journal!! So of course, like any good fellow Louisiana folks.. There was an immediate connection. We continued our visit and he told me they were staying in a cabin at the campground. He also advised... If he was awake early ( today- Wednesday) he would come to the recreational area and see if I needed a ride to the trail head. I was awake at 5:30 , trying to be quite, as two other, very wet hikers, arrived and were sleeping on the floor. I walked outside around 6:15 to find --- it was RAINING. Not bad but it was still raining. I looked towards the cabins and what do I see... Jimmy walking to his truck and then driving my way. When he arrived he had two maps and said..... How about slack packing today? I'll refresh you memories--- if any ask if I want to slack pack/ it takes me about a half a second to say, YES!! Before I knew it I was sitting in his truck talking over logistics. He gave me a smaller back pack to put my day items and he put my big pack in the back of his truck. He explained--- ok, I'll met you at several points, I'll tie ribbon on the trees at the road crossing.. If it is one ribbon... Remove it and keep walking, if it is two ribbons, stop there and wait for me. Ok, I can do that!! I start walking-- again with a grin on my face that won't stop. I am wondering.. How lucky am I !! Wow... If I had not cut it short yesterday I would not have met, Jimmy and I Believe.. Pinch me!! Anyway.. I make great time and as I get to road crossing... The ribbon is there... I keep moving!! At about 13 miles in... There are two ribbons. I stop.. Wait about 10 minutes and up drives Jimmy and I believe. They put me in there truck... And we pull off the road a bit. They have food and drink for me!! Then we begin discussing... Mileage and choices. Jimmy says... In 5 miles you will hit Petites Gap... I'll be there waiting... Or you could keep going but there will not be another exit until you have walked 28+ miles. Ok, for those of you who know me--- well..... What do you think I said? Yep, I'll go the long route... I wNted to take advantage of the light pack!! Jimmy says... Ok, are you sure? YEP! So off I go.. Knowing I needed to make great time because they were also helping another hiker but he was 5 miles ahead of me. When I got to Petites Gap.. There was jimmy and I believe... Giving other hikers snacks and drinks. Jimmy asked if I was ok.... Yep.. I need to keep going! Well, there is a sandwich on the front seat for you!! OMG - these trail Angels are too much!! While I am eating and chatting with I Believe.. We discover that we both graduated from LSU and both taught school. Then I was off as I needed to cover 10 more miles!! Again... Still grinning.. Wondering why was I so blessed today!! All I could do was keep telling them both how much I appreciated what they were doing. All because they just want to help hikers... That they don't even know!! I made it to the rally point and there they were.. Just as planned. I met, My Friend, the other hiker they were helping. And then guess... Yep... Rain!! We got into the truck and drove into Buena Vista, Va and secured rooms at the motel. Sweet... Out of the rain. After cleaning up the 4 of us went out for BBQ. And discussed plans for tomorrow. Yep, they want to help us slack pack tomorrow as well. I am so blown away by their willingness to spend their entire day, evening, gas, money on food, etc... Just to give back to the trail and the hikers. I'm still smiling-- there is goodness, from strangers, who quickly become dear friends!! Yes, my plans are to keep hiking but if I were to leave tomorrow.. I have already received so much from the trail and so many new and dear friends ... That I would feel as though my hike was a success... Even if I did not make it to Maine. Ok... Good night.