Date: 2003-07-01
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: Glasgow, Va.
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: overcast clouds

start Cornelius Creek Shelterdestination Glasgow,Va.The sound of the birds woke me up this morning, again too early, but it was so enjoyable to just lay there and listen to them. I could not hear if any of the hikers in the shelter were awake, so I took my time stretching and getting dressed. It is overcast, and there is a light mist in the air. I got my food bag down and wooed Mudbut out of her tent with hot tea. Already the bugs were active, dive bombing us and looking for breakfast. Even with bug repellent on, they seemed oblivious to it. We ate a hurried breakfast and got moving. We decided to walk along the Blue Ridge Parkway in hopes of running into Papermaker. We came across a overview with a trash can and promptly got rid of our garbage, as well as picking up the trash some animal had strewn around the can. We decided to try hitch hiking, although that is illegal on the parkway. I was in front of Mudbut and when we heard a car, I would turn around to make sure it was not a park ranger before she stuck her thumb out. Of course I was looking for drab green vehicles, so when the nice white Ford Bronco came up, I said okay, hit the thumb signal. It was a forest ranger!! We just knew he was going to stop and give us a ticket, but he kept right on moving. He probably just didn't want to hear our story. The next overlook we came to, we decided to stop and take a break for a snack. As we walked into the overlook, a truck with a camper pulled in from the opposite direction. A man got out and started talking to us about backpacking. Mudbut, being the friendly sort she is kept a running dialog wit him. Before we knew it, he was volunteering to take us into Glasgow!! That is what I call real magic! His name is Ed Falls, from Michigan. He was just out killing time before an appointment on Weds. We bought him lunch at the little restaurant/motel in Glasgow. We decided that since Papermaker had not gotten to the campground where we had originally planned to stay, we would get a motel room instead. Hey, never turn down a chance for motel room! Mudbut and I went to the store and got ice cream as we headed for the ATM and then to the library. Imagine, internet access. I got to check up on all my hiking friends that are ahead of me on the trail. After a shower, we walked down to the laundry to get our clothes washed. I poured a half bottle of vinegar in the rinse cycle. I heard that was suppose to get rid of the smell of sweat. It seems no matter how many times I wash my clothes, they still smell like sweat. I downloaded my pocket mail, and was all excited about getting 43 messages, until I realized that they were duplicates from last week. What's up with that?? We were just walking out of the laundry parking lot when I saw our green pickup truck go whizzing by. I was delighted to see my hubby and my 12 year old grandson, Cody. Of course, Cody was wired to hike. Bouncing off of the walls wired! He packed and unpacked his pack. Then Mudbut tuckerised it for him. He was left with about a 12 pound weight. We ate supper at the only place in town, The Wright Place. The cheeseburgers are supreme!! It was way past dark and we were all standing around talking to some other hikers. Cody had his pack on, and Titoe asked him if he was going hiking that night. Cody replied I wish. I am ready. Then Titoe asked him his trail name. Upon hearing that he did not have one yet, Titoe promptly dubbed him "Eveready". It fits Cody to a "t".total miles 4