Date: 2006-05-15
From: Angel Gap

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: light rain

The trio broke up this morning. I left early to make tracks to Daleville services and beyond. Centipede was heading to the ville for a zero. Parkay was heading there to start his hitch south to Damascus and Trail Days. I hope to see one or both again. We had a great time over the past several days. I would have liked to stay together longer, but that's the way it works.The Daleville/Troutville area is spread out along US 220 and US 11 and is never far from the roar of I-81. I saw the row of fast food and motel signs as soon as I stepped out of the woods. Needed to hurry through errands and get out.I crossed the road to a gas station for coffee and bumped into Mr. Breeze again on his way out of town. He said a big group had cleared out of town a little earlier. Next stop, The Waffel House. Hoped to run into hikers there, but no. Later in the day I might have seen Parkay, but town business left no time to return. Several people including the Waffel cooked asked me questions about the trail. I never mind stopping to answer. I always encourage folks to think about it. I also like to compliment the beauty of whatever state I'm in. Oh and, the waffels were great.I called post office in both towns to check for mail. No packages at either even though I was expecting new gaitors from OR in Troutville. I ordered them a few weeks ago and still don't have them. I'm not impressed with either their customer service orquality of gear. I lost some trail time when I missed the large grocery store in Daleville and hitched to the mom & pop in Troutville. Too bad. I might have seen more hikers at Kroegers.I jumped back on trail in Troutville and had to quickly backtrack. There are 2 trail miles between towns and I'm not skipping the steps. I'd told Mr. Breeze this morning that I'd be back on the trail by 2:00 and I made it. THe next several hours were about putting miles behind me and I did.Today's hike had nothing to see, not like the two days past. I switched into gear and covered some ground.Today was the kind where I can hike on autopilot. When I'm in a good rythm and tuned in to the trail I set a good pace. No trips and falls when in this mode either, at least not many. I started talking to myself in the cadence of my poles and feet. I chatted on my usual topic, the progress of my physical journey and its relation to my personal journey. I'm proud of each. I assure myself of my new found power and strength. I tick off the fears I've left behind and the better aspects of myself I've discovered or dusted off and brought to the fore.Today I went a bit beyond and started putting myself into relation with the world left behind, the one I'll eventually return to. This trip has a larger purpose. Yes, I want to complete this huge task, an amazing acheivement on its own. But I also want to bring more back with me.I'll return changed. I'm leaving some of the old behind andcarrying home some of the new. The trail giveth and the trail taketh away.I got to the shelter around 7:00. These later arrival times are becoming more common. I'd put in some good miles as well as doing town business. Mr. Breeze was here. I'm glad to see him when we cross paths. I admire him too. He had been out to complete the last chunk of a section hike but has recently decided to stay on trail and complete an entire thru-hike. It takes will and determination. The hike is hard.NEFFA is here too. I haven't talked to her since I returned to finish the Smokies. I last saw her very briefly going out the door at either the Place of Kincora. She'd been off trail to go to her daughter's graduation from Orano. She's having a lot of knee pain and is afraid she might have to leave the trail. It's becoming more common.Most of the hikers who get this far have the pure motivation and drive to see them through to the end. The disappointment is great when it is only a physical injury in the way of you and the goal. She's been planning this trip for 8 years.An example of trail serendipity: I met Mr. Breeze and NEFFA on the same say at Cosby Knob Shelter back in the Smokies. A month and a half later, here we are again.