Date: 2010-05-29
From: Waynesboro

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up and walked to the hostel at the church. Open until 9 am and then back open again at 5 pm. Can't hang out there all day. They are super nice, though, and tell us where everything is in town. We run into Ratman there, and Tumbler's in the shower. They are going to Weeksies for all you can eat pancakes. We decide to go to the laundromat instead. I forgot to bring a pair of town shorts for Skippy, so he wears my fleece blanket around his waist while washing his clothes. No one stares, but I think I saw a few smiles. I wish I do that some day! We ate granola that I brought. And some other stuff. We weren't hungry after this, but go to Weeksies anyway to check it out. Ratman and Tumbler are there eating. We sit next to them and talk, and I introduce myself, again. I forgot I had met them back in Pearisburg! We get coffee and talk a while. Fun to hear stories from them and get to know them better. They are very nice, friendly people. After they finish the trail, they plan to get married. They're going to go back to Springer Mnt. (the beginning of the AT) to get married! They mention they are trying to go to Starbucks, and we offer to drive them. I have a weakness for Starbucks. Yum. Skippy and I don't actually get anything, though. Then we drive back across town and find the Outfitters. Skippy has worn out his boots. The lace eyelet is pulled out and the sole is cracked. Wore out a 3 lb. pair of heavy boots! That's some amazing hiking! The folks at the outfitters are amazing! Please stop in and see them, maybe buy something, if you go through Waynesboro. They took Skippy's boots, and said Vasque should replace them free of charge. They then helped Skippy try on all different boots, even different kinds from what he had, until he found ones that seemed to work. They are 11.5, and size and a half bigger, I think! But Skippy decides these are the best feeling boots he tried. When he told the sales guys this, he said, "Ok, well we have your old boots, so you're good to go." Great! Amazing things happen in the world of a thru-hiker! But I think we both realized then that the old boots were already gone. In the back somewhere, rejected. Didn't get a chance to say good-bye.It was very sad. I remember from my very short trips backpacking that your gear becomes part of you. Or more like part of your family, your comfort, your home, your safety. I think Skippy teared up a little, so did I. But, time for new friends, new boots! So thankful for the helpfulness of the outfitter people! Hope they do get a rebate from Vasque in the end! We dropped Ratman and Tumbler off at a thrift shop and went back to the tent. We moved it to a less root-y area. Then we lounged in the shade and watched the ducks. Talked about all kinds of things. Appreciated being able to lay there and talk and not feel like we have to be busy doing stuff just to seem busy. Life on the trail is great for Skippy, and I think he's an amazing person for all the thoughts he has, and excitement, and willingness to be open and learn and get the best out of every situation he finds himself in. I'm so proud to know you, Skippy! I love you!At some point around 1 pm we swam in the pool! No one else was there, but the guy seemed fine that we were in there. It was pretty cold! But felt good. Then when we left, they closed up the pool. Who knows what was up with that. But they were sure nice if they kept it open just for us!Since I waited so long to update this, my details are a little fuzzy. But I think then we went for a walk to prepare for the Ming China Buffet! All you can eat! We walked to the bookstore that the woman in the hostel told me about. Said it was very hiker-friendly, and you could hang out there all day. Skippy was looking for a book called "Ishmael" that someone had recommended. The woman at the store found it right away. Used for $6. Skippy bought it right then. I've never seen him buy something so quickly before! We'll learn later that it was a great investment.We made our way back to the China Buffet. There was a big group of hikers there. I remember Cowgirl was there, since Kelly her dog was laying outside waiting. I wonder if the dogs ever get all you can eat. Probably wouldn't work out too well. But the buffet was Amazing! Sushi, crab legs, all kinds of meat, salad bar, fruit, shrimp, deserts! Lots of things I could eat. We made many many trips back and forth. I ate probably twice what I should have. I tend to eat like I'm famished when visiting Skippy, even though I haven't hiked at all. Sympathy eating, I guess. It was the best buffet I've ever seen. Skippy commented that it reminds him of a scene where the parents are eating in a movie called "Spirited Away." You'll have to see it.I think at this point we return to the tent. There's several more people camped out here tonight. Cowgirl is one. Maybe Cricket? Turning into a tent city! I'm very bad at remembering the names of the amazing thru-hikers I meet out there. Sorry! But it is so great to meet the awesome people that are out there giving it their all, along with Skippy. The hiker family. We make a trip out to the ice cream store. Always room for ice cream! I eat some even though I am usually lactose intolerant. And even though I've eaten enough for two days at the Ming Buffet. It's sooooo good! I think we headed back to the tent and went to sleep to digest all the food! While I fall asleep, Skippy begins the process of writing out his journal pages so that I can enter them in the computer when I get home. What a lot of writing! I am so thankful for it, I know it helps me and so many others feel connected. A great day, so wonderful to hang out with Skippy and enjoy a day off!