Date: 2004-06-09
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Campsite by a creek
Miles today: 14.8

Last one in doesn't necessarily mean first one out. But we did fine, walking out of camp at 7:25, leaving only Rob still sleeping in the shelter. We're back in the flow, hiking south to north with full packs. I'm walking with both ankles in soft braces and elastic wrap, desperately trying to stave off further aggravation. The wraps are helping to fill up the empty spaces behind my heels and stabilizing the foot a bit. Going downhill, I noticed the pain in my knees was minimal, too, as a result. Yeahoo! Perhaps with new boots which are revamped/rebuilt/retooled (and whatever else Roberto does to fit a boot properly) I can rid myself of all pain and injury for the second half of this hike. We shall see. Hopefully I can get some boots in Waynesboro next week, get them shipped to Roberto in Colorado, and have them back by the end of the month.Since we were planning only 12 miles today I stopped every four miles (two hours) to defrock my feet and let the ankles rest. Then it was a rewrap and off I went. I also soaked them in a cold mountain creek for 15 minutes, which proved to be amazingly beneficial. I must add that to my daily regimen.At 2 p.m. we landed at Matts Creek Shelter and decided to boogie onward another 2.2 miles to a road from which we needed to hitch a ride five miles into Glasgow. We planned that errand for tomorrow, but think we can get to the post office yet today IF we get a quick hitch.        One car passes - nope        Second car passes - nope        Third car passes - nope -- but then April Showers put her hands together in a         prayerful plea - and he stops!!Our angel turns out to be a pastoral student studying in Lynchburg, headed to a Wednesday night service. He said it was the desperation gesture that made him stop. We weren't quite desperate yet at that point, but I wonder if he knows how truly grateful we are for his kindness. We really are very dependent on others for our thru-hikes to be successful. Anyone's assistance, no matter how small, are true necessities to us. That includes our support system from home, friends and family too! Thank you everyone.Missions accomplished in town, we now needed another hitch back to the trail. The thought of spending another night in a hotel room was nearly nauseating. This time retired Pastor David Bain, also enroute to a church service, stopped for us. We hope three sweating hikers didn't smell up his car too much! His son is a hiker so he knew what we are all about. We all find it more than coincidental to have been blessed by two members of the clergy today. For me it's reassurance that we are steadfastly in God's care and protection. I asked Pastor Bain to include us in his prayers, as we are all gingerly tending to some aches and pains. He said he'd gladly do so. Again, for the seen and unseen, we are grateful. God's blessings to our two clergy angels.Camp is set up; we've eaten and done the chores. We've chosen a lovely site just up the hill a short distance from a rushing creek. There's not a sound that is more peaceful and lulling, conducive to slumber than rushing water.It didn't take long once we were set for each of us to take a cold river dip this evening. The air is so still it was the only way to cool off enough for sleeping. I've just come into my tent (9:00 p.m.) after sitting on a rock in the middle of the creek for an hour, soaking my feet and writing this journal. Now the sun is set. I'm writing by headlamp and don't want to attract bugs. Mosquitoes are starting to make an appearance. So...with the music of the water and woods filling my head, I'm saying goodnight to my trail sisters and ending another superb day on the trail with a squillion prayers of thanks to my God.