Date: 2005-05-28
From: Catawba, VA

To: Lambert Meadow Campsite
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: light rain

"We look different, we smell different, we act different, and we talk different". These were words put into the shelter register by Gypsy after we left Catawba. She was referring to our dinner at The Homeplace. Yes we are the above but is it a bad thing? Maybe yes, maybe no, depends on your point of view. Yes, we look and smell different. Those things are cosmetic and easily changed. Of course we're not going to walk into a five star restaurant but I think we would if it were known that the place catered to hikers. Would I feel out of place? I don't think I would because the establishment said I was welcome and if I was welcome then the other patrons would have no reason to complain. Again, the first two are cosmetic differences only. Yes, we act and speak differently. Everyone of us acts different. The difference is, we walk with our heads held high and our body language exudes confidence. Confident in what we have done and what we can do. It is not arrogance because the trail strips that away in short order and those that stay arrogant are soon gone. We speak differently because, after two months, the B.S. has been stripped away. Our voices may be a little more subdued, not having to speak loudly in order to be heard, yet you are heard. You are listened to because of the confidence in your voice and in the way you hold yourself. Confidence that comes from having endured two months of walking in all types of weather and living outside of the norm of society. People do look at us differently. To me, they do not look at us with that look of disgust or aversion that is reserved for the homeless or vagrant. To me, they look at us with curiousity. They do no avert their glance when you look at them. You nod a greeting and, for the most part, a greeting is returned. Why? Because of the way we carry ourselves. With quiet confidence and self assurance. A lot of hikers may not even see or feel they are changing. They are. And, in my opinion, they change for the better. The rough edges are becoming refined and by time we are done the metamorphisis will have changed something in everyone of us. So much for being philisophical but I thought about Gypsy's words a lot as I walked. We woke to a cloudy morning. Not a good sign considering we wanted to spend the day at McAfee Knob. I walked to the general store real early and grabbed a cup of coffee. When I got back Free and Serenity were geting ready to leave. They were going to go into Troutville today to get maildrops. If they didn't they would hae to wait till Tuesday because of the holiday. The accordion is expanding again. It contracted when we all hit Catawba but now it will start to open again. Free and Serenity will be several miles back due to the diversion. I plan on hitting Troutville tomorrow, resupply, and head out. The rest of the group may not leave Troutville until Monday or Tuesday. The rest of us, Gypsy, Touk, Stilts, Scholar, Bassline, and myself hung around the general store till te or so. We were starting to hitch when Gypsy waved us back to the store. She had used her charm to get us a ride without having to use our thumbs! We got to the trailhead and started the 3 mile walk to McAfee Knob. The sky was starting to clear which made us all happy. We got to the knob around noon. The Troll family was there already. We started the big picture taking party. Everyone trading cameras and taking various shots. After that we just sat and relaxed and enjoyed the views. Around four, Scholar and I decided we were going to go on. The rest were going to just go a mile or so to the next shelter. So, once again, GLGE splits. Funny thing is I know I will see them all again! Scholar and I reached our destination around seven. Just as we walked in I saw Serenity. I couldn't believe my eyes. When they reached Troutville she and Free decided they would hike south instead of trying to get back to Catawba and going north. They had done seven miles and were going to stay where Scholar and I were. Goes to show you that you cannot really say goodbye to anyone out here. Free surprised me with a little bag of rock salt. I needed it for my water filter (I have the Miox) and she found some at the outfitter which would be closed on Sunday when I got there. Thanks Free! Tomorrow I hit Troutville. We are now over 700 miles completed. Off to bed. It will probably be another week before there are updates again. I don't think I will hit a phone until Montebello, my next resupply point.