Date: 2015-04-25
From: Uncle Johnny's

To: Uncle Johnny's
Miles today: 0.0

I enjoyed pancakes and sausage in the morning drizzle and caught Uncle Johnny's shuttle to the post office to mail home my broken camera.Then I had the wonderful pleasure of having PIZZA for lunch. Uncle Johnny also runs a shuttle to Pizza Plus at noon, and I wasn't going to pass up that opportunity. After, I bought some Benadryl at the Dollar General for a rash that seems to be developing on the back of one of my hands. It may just be poison ivy or something of that sort.Dollar General also had Dr. Scholl's! They are now in my shoes. My shoes are still too big. I think that I will have to wear two pairs of socks tomorrow. Maybe that will be enough to add extra cushion for my toes and take up some of the extra space in the 10s. I may have to be reunited with the Toe-Pinchers when mom and Dan visit.Happy, the extremely nice guy from New Zealand, offered to throw some of my clothes in the wash, as he was doing a load this afternoon. I am happy to be wearing CLEAN pants. This is probably something you take for granted. I don't. Clean pants are amazing. I am extremely grateful.A nearby Baptist church threw a huge, amazing trail magic picnic that I wandered over to with Columbo this afternoon. They definitely outdid themselves. I continue to be floored by the kindness and generosity of people.Despite a bit of afternoon drama (alcohol is to blame) with some other hikers, the afternoon was very relaxing, and included a viewing of The Goonies. It was almost as good as Gremlins. Please note that this movie was watched on a VHS tape. Using a VCR. And it had been taped off of TV, so had commercials from 2001. It was like a trip back in time.The evening included steak grilled by Columbo and Allyn's amazing, delicious chili. Allyn also helped me with my pack, fixing the backplate (I put it in wrong, being an idiot... oops). He also taught me how to wear it properly and adjust the straps. It was educational and beneficial. I wish the staff at REI had been half as helpful.The evening called for a hiker talent show and a raffle. Columbo won women's socks. They were cute and pink. He offered them to me, but I told him to see if Miss Charlotte would let him swap them out for men's. But he didn't have to... shortly after, a girl won some men's socks and they happily traded.I decided last-minute to participate in the talent show. Now, I really hate public speaking. But I figured I could suck it up, since part of being on the trail is to grow as a person, do new things, etc etc. I was not pleased to learn I was the FIRST act but stood up on the table bench on Uncle Johnny's porch and read my Hiker Hunger poem, trying not to die of anxiety.We were next treated to a WONDERFUL harmonica song and then Frozen Mac and a friend danced (and he FLIPPED her! I could never be that brave. I would be too afraid my clumsy head would smash into the floor).I was lucky enough to win the popular vote-by-cheer (I am sure partly because Columbo made himself as loud as possible) and won an AMAZING Granite Gear day pack. Amazing is even an understatement. It is a work of art. I am so thrilled. THEN I was given two Uncle Johnny's t-shirts. It seems like my good luck will never end this weekend.I am grateful to Columbo for so many things. I am grateful to Allyn for his help and my amazing new pack. I am thankful that soon I will be able to go to sleep and keep dry tonight. And I am so grateful to Uncle Johnny and Miss Charlotte for organizing this weekend. I have had the opportunity to meet so many new hikers this weekend, and hear many great stories.