Date: 2015-05-17
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Davis Path Campsite
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: light rain

Got up early this morning, Deacon was up and out by 6:30 and I was inspired by his good hiker discipline. Poor Mama Dee climbed slowly down the ladder from the upstairs section and could barely hobble to the privy with two hiking poles. She was afraid she had broken her heel bone from her fall from the ladder the night before. She and Green Man decided to go to Marion for medical attention. Mama Moab and her dog, Utah, hiked out before we did. We sat around and chatted, all hiker discipline I had adopted only moments ago had vanished. We did finally get out by 8:30, which is only an hour later than our usual time. Our hike today was going to pass by a landmark I have been looking forward to seeing for the last year. The Lindamood School. It is an historic schoolhouse that is furnished with the original furnishings. It is open to any who pass and wish to see it. Hikers often photograph the old building and talk of trail magic left for hikers inside.Our hike started in the green tunnel and had several climbs at the beginning of the day. It was hot and humid and we were all sweating profusely. The trail meandered through some beautiful meadows, alive with wild flowers, and beautiful views of farms and mountains.When we finally came upon the old school house, there were people there carrying in bags and coolers. A friendly man invited us to enjoy a cold soda. He stuck out his hand to all and introduced himself as Rick Lindamood. He was a relative of the person the school was named for and he said he was 90% sure his great grandfather had taught at the school for a time, although there were plenty of stories about the man to give him the 10% uncertainty. His wife was there as well as grandchildren, and a couple of folks from the church who were bringing treats for the hikers. They were all so friendly and gracious. It continues to amaze me that people will leave food and other things for hikers. While I know there are many people who need this charity more, it is so appreciated by hot, tired, dirty hungry hikers. I saw a debate on Whitblaze before I left about the evils of trail magic, and how there is too much, but I have come to the conclusion that the only people who don't like the practice are the ones who are not either giving it or receiving it. I appreciate the occasional treats and it can lift a mood from dour to happy- and that is the magic.We hiked away from the school, waving at the kind folks on the old porch of the school.The trail took us through a meadow , back into some woods, and then over some styles and down the the famous little trail town of Atkins, Va. There is a famous restaurant there, The Barn, that serves up a buffet until 3 on Sunday's. We were too late but went into a Mexican restaurant that occupied space in a gas station. Mama Moab was inside and invited us to sit at her table. Then the skies opened and the rain fell hard. We decided we would get a hotel room, split 5 ways with another hiker, but then the rain stopped. We each bought a beer from the gas station and hiked on for another two miles to a campsite. We all drank our beer, I have most of my salami to Utah the dog, and then we crashed. We could hear a very large animal walked around our campsite all night. It was a deer or a bear. Or a walker.