Date: 2017-04-11
From: Walker Gap

To: Stealth camp just before Helveys Mill Shelter
Miles today: 22.3
Weather: clear sky

Day 38: What a great day I've had today. I woke up early and did some doctoring on my feet. Seems that a couple of toe nails are thinking about abandoning ship. I've done all I can do in my feeble attempt to save them. I've got them taped on right now in the hopes that the nail beds can firm up. Of course I stubbed my boots into some roots and rocks several times along the way today...OUCH!!! Today was another day of seeing absolutely no northbound hikers. I saw several day, section, and southbound hikers, but not a single northbounder. It's a true mystery... did they get sucked into that gingerbread house out in the middle of the forest? Are they currently hiker stew? Is this a phenomenon unexplained like the Devil's Triangle? Bigfoot? More importantly, am I next? I'll keep you posted. It's turkey hunting season... I crossed paths with two young guys out turkey hunting this morning. They had a lot of questions about my hiking and the AT in particular, and I had a few questions about turkey hunting. They even demonstrated their turkey calls for me as well. Sure was glad I didn't where my turkey feather headdress this morning. Today was a day of manna from heaven (more commonly known as trail magic). While coming off the trail to cross VA 623 I noticed a couple standing by a van when I arrived. I said hello and we exchanged a few pleasant remarks. I'm not exactly sure what prompted what happened next, but I was invited to have something to eat. It turns out that she is an avid hiker with a true passion for the AT, having hiked several hundred miles as a section hiker with her husband (Brad) as her ground support. So, she asks if I'd like turkey or ham. I obviously do not care as I would have eaten the tires off their van. Next, granola bars and cheese sticks were handed to me. I felt blessed beyond my comprehension. I asked her what her trail name is to which she replied that she didn't have one. I offered up "Cornucopia" as a trail name which she accepted. Yes, the back of the van was full with a bounty of food and drink, but more importantly, "Cornucopia" fit her bountiful spirit. "Cornucopia" and I met at the next shelter and had lunch together as well (while I also performed more surgery on my feet... how appetizing that must have been). After lunch I hiked on past her and when I arrived at Suiter Road, Brad was waiting to meet his wife and I was on the receiving end of more trail magic. Juice and popsicles were just what the Dr. ordered. Now, several hours later and toward the end of my day, trail magic strikes again. As I came to US route 52, a 2016 thru-hiker, "Pigeon toe", is just getting ready to pack up his motor home after giving out trail magic all day. "Pigeon toe" sees me, calls me over and loads me up. Let's just say that that last 1.5 miles of the day were the toughest because of all the additional weight bestowed upon me by trail angel, "Pigeon toe". And now it's time for hiker advice:a place for everything and everything in its place... When thru-hiking, you will save yourself time and aggravation if you place everything in the same place every time. It takes the worrying out of your hiking if you know where everything is. Need your headlamp, no worries, you'll know exactly where it is. Need your toilet paper? You have the idea...Whistler