Date: 2005-04-20
From: Partnership Shelter

To: VA 16- Marion, VA
Miles today: 0.1
Weather: scattered clouds

I woke up early, around a quater to six, with the intention of getting on the trail really quick. Everyone was still sleeping, except Darcy, who was an even earlier riser than me. Steak 'n' Eggs had come in late last night, after making it the 50 miles to Damascus and catching the bus all in 2 days. I sat there and talked to him for two or three minutes before I even realized who I was talking to!I was all ready to go, when Stick, who'd just woken up, told me that there was a Walmart in Marion, the town at the highway. I could go in an get some shoes. After debating it for a few minutes I decided I would go into town and probably take the rest of the day off to rest my feet. I told Stick of my decision and let him know that he didn't have to drag behind on account of me. But he said he could use a day off too. So began the shortest nero day of the entire hike: 1/10 of a mile! And just like that, it was over! We hitched at the road for almost 30 mins. It was rush hour and everyone was in a hurry to get to work, so nobody stopped to pick us up. After having no luck and debating actually going on, Selina a hiker whom we'd just met came up and asked us if we were going to town and if she could come. She informed us that she needed duct tape. A rather lame excuse, but some hikers have to justify going to town for some reason. Me, on the other hand, I go to town when I feel like it!Well, Selina was only there for about five minutes when a guy in a pickup truck picked us up. We had to ride in the back, and that was VERY COLD! He only brought us to the city limits, and we had to walk about two miles to find a hotel. We checked in and Selina decided to stay with us. We agreed, since it'd be cheaper.The first order of business for the day was to go to Walmart and find a decent pair of shoes. I found a pair of $20 cheapos that fit really good. I figued that it would be better to pay 20 bucks for a pair of shoes that lasts 200 miles than $150 on a pair that doesn't work at all. Back at the hotel, I made several calls dealing with my old shoes. Stick said that Atkins is only six or seven miles down the road. We decided to hitch over there and pick up our maildrops so we don't have to hitch in tomorrow. It took us a while to get a ride, but we finally did. The return trip proved to be even harder. But once we were finally back, we went to Pizza for the much coveted AYCE buffet. All I can say is that the food and the service left much to be desired. We had all taken showers, but there was no laundry facilities nearby, so we skipped on the laundry. Apparently we still reeked, because the waitress sat some people next to us, and they got up and moved!!After lunch, we just chilled out. There was a pool table in the bar of the hotel, so we went down there and I let Stick beat me at a game or two. Actually, he whipped my butt. There was a bowling alley a block or two away, so we went to try our hand at that. It was only one dollar a game, the cheapest I had ever seen. The only drawback was you had to keep score. It's so much easier when the computer does it for you. Stick beat me at that too, but he was keeping score. I think he fixed it. Today off was just what I needed. My feet feel so much better being out of those trailrunners. They aren't at 100%, but I will be able to continue on without much problem.