Date: 2003-05-16
From: Laurel Creek

To: Bland
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: light rain

The morning of the 16th met us with sunlight. Everyone was excited to get into town! There was food to be eaten, girlfriends to visit, a hiker gathering to attend...everyone had something- not the least of which was getting out of the rain for a little while. Though I had as much reason to celebrate as anyone, I still managed to get out of camp last. I wanted to get into Bland and get all of my town business taken care of before Natasha got there. I imagined no worse fate than having to spend some of my visiting time doing town chores. There was a small ascent and then I hit a section of trail that was flat and wide enough for a jeep. It skirted the side of a mountaintop and to my left there was an absolute sea of clouds hovering over the valley below. The sea was white with sunlight glowing down on the waves. Landmasses accentuated the ocean-like effect. A peninsula was formed by a nearby ridgeline, and in-between was the most amazing island whose summit just poked out of the clouds. I had one shot left in my disposable camera to capture this scene. I kept looking for the best angle. After several attempts, I finally found one that I deemed close enough. Of course after taking the shot I walk about 15 yards and find a clearing that afforded the perfect view.After a few moments I began to hear the sound of passing cars and quickened my pace. The jeep trail led to a small path that led past a retirement community (Southern Virginia style- no sterile looking brick buildings with perfectly manicured shrubs, more like a small village of houses eith tin roofs, front porches, and all painted the same shade of white). At this junction was a cooler. I walked up to investigate and there was a note that read something to the effect of, ¢Please leave the contents of this cooler for older hikers.¢ I got to the black top. I had heard that this was a very difficult hitch. There were not a lot of cars and the few that did pass were not likely to pick up hikers. Several had to walk the 2.5 miles into town. But my friends were not there which probably meant they already made it in. I waited for about 10 minutes wondering where the traffic that I had heard early went. Finally a car approached and ignored my thumb. Five minutes and 3 cars later, a flatbed truck rolled to a stop in front of me. The driver told me to throw my pack on the back. I wasn¢t too sure about this. It seemed that with no sides to keep the pack in, it would just roll off. But the driver reassured me and so I tried it. I cannot remember much of the conversation as my concentration was on every slight shift my pack made as we weaved our way down the mountain, but I was very grateful. He drove me to the store that served as a gas station, grocery, restaurant, video rental and nursery and I thanked him. There were a few packs in front and mine soon joined them. Everyone had a rough hitch so I considered myself lucky. I ate and then called Natasha. She was so apologetic; there was a crisis at work. She had to testify to have one of her clients committed for safety. She would not even get on the road until noon. I was totally understanding. This worked out well, as I was able to get all my town chores done including my first haircut since my journey began. It also served in reminding me EXACTLY what I left back in society. Even though it is for their safety, there are few tasks in the counseling field that feel so much like Judas moments as testifying in court for their detention. I walked to the barber and she told me that it would be an hour. So I went to the motel (the Big Walker Inn -named for the mountain we were on) and checked in and grabbed a shower. By the time I got out, the hour was almost up. I began to walk, and realizing that I was going to be late, I stuck my thumb ¢it couldn¢t hurt. Soon I was in the back of a truck going at light speed (20 mph) back to the gas station, video store, grill, nursery. Slowly the shears turned my head into something that could almost be called human. I asked if there was anything crawling or growing in that scalpy jungle. She cautiously ran her comb through and gave me the all clear. I found Coyote, Romeo, and Odyssey in the town square. I visited with them for a while. Coyote¢s girlfriend was running late as well. I offered to let them come up to the hotel room and wait there, but Coyote could not reach her on his cell. That is where I left them. I passed the gas station (et. al.) and saw a truck pointing towards the Big Walker, filling up with gas. I started a conversation with the driver and was soon in the back, flying back to the Motel.I sat in the room starring out the window. All town tasks were done. Nothing left but to wait. I wondered how I would feel. I missed her so much, but there is no telling what those first moments will be like. Will it be the same? Will there be all this discomfort and anxiety because the feelings aren¢t there instantly? It was an awful wait. Finally I saw the black car roll into the parking lot. She was wearing sunglasses and smiled and waved as she rolled to a stop in front of my hotel room- decorated with drying boots, clothes, socks and tent parts. I walked up smiling from ear to ear and as I held her all fears and anxieties subsided. It was as if I never had left.