Date: 2003-05-15
From: Double Spring Gap

To: Damascus Trail Days
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: light rain

I have a lot to write about, so sue me if it goes too long. I woke up after a great night of sleep to an approaching thunderstorm. I got out to pee as lightning filled the sky. Pretty soon rain fell angrily on my hammock. I spent extra time setting up, so I knew I would stay dry and comfortable. I figure I could go stay in the hammock for a while. Soon enough the rain stopped and I got out to get ready. Even though I planned to sleep in, I seemed to get out earlier than usual before 7am. I think the thought going to town motivated me. It must have, because I was really moving. In 2 1/2 miles I came upon the shelter. I read the journal and found out that Lonewolf spent the night there. I said, "Lonewolf spent the night here?" Everybody kinda moaned. I said, "Did he tell you all about his mother?" Everybody moaned again. I asked, "Did he go on and on about his divorce?" They really moaned. Then a little girl said, "Please mister, please don't talk about that awful man anymore!" I left and soon turned on my radio. The earbuds have a bad connection, so I am radio-less again. Then I saw Lonewolf and thought, ¢It won't cost me a penny for his thoughts.¢ At least listening could be entertaining for awhile. After 10 minutes, I was going nuts. He went on and on about his divorce and his ex-wife and his restraining orders and his one month in jail for breaking his restraining order and on and on. I tried to speed up to lose him and he sped up too. I said I had to stop for a break and he did, too, telling me why his children hate him. I got up and started hiking as fast as I could to shake this guy, but I knew I would have stop at some point and he would catch up. Then I came upon Strider, and he was really hurting with a badly twisted ankle. That's when it me, a plan so diabolical that it shames me to admit to such an evil plot. It scares me to think my mind works in such ways. I asked Strider if he needed some Vicadin and vitamin I for that bad ankle. He said he'd love some, so I took off my pack and gave him his meds. Very soon, Lonewolf comes by and felt the need to start a conversation. Here is where it gets ugly. I looked at the both of them and then looked down at my pack. I pulled out a roll of toilet paper and said, "Nature calls." I walked off in the woods just long enough and turned around to see Lonewolf talking Strider's ear off. An evil smile crept across my face, as I knew I was able to lose the chatterbox. I like Strider and all, but I couldn't deal with Lonewolf. I am now in Virginia and that means I have hiked Georgia, Tennessee, and South Carolina. Also I hiked 450 miles, wow. By 12:30 I got into town and it was totally empty. I expected a Ferris wheel and a brass orchestra playing ¢When the Saints Come Marching In¢. I went to the hostel and, much to my surprise, there was room. Everyone is here: Woods Dragon, Reason, Cruiser, Loser, MG, and almost everyone I've seen the last six weeks. I went to the bar and had a huge stromboli. I walked around to check out the town. I stopped at a payphone and called Jess. It turns out she is coming to see me. Wow, does that make my day. She will be here tomorrow. I was considering hiking north for a day and a half, but now I get three days off and visit from Jess. She said something about some papers that I had to sign, but who cares about that. I announced to everyone that she would be coming and started making plans to make sure everyone meets her. This hostel is completely full - people are sleeping on the floor. The snoring is horible. I have hiked some pretty big miles lately and feel good about the rest I will get. Leaving here, I will be ready to really start hiking. Up until now, it was just practice.      Peace,DutchSoulshine is better than sunshine.Way better than moonshine.And damn sure better than rain.