Date: 2004-06-01
To: Paerisburg still
Miles today: 0.0

ok... obviously it is not the first yet... I am just updating the story (for the three of you that actually read this crap this is part three and the final part of the journey so far...)...Highlights from Damascus to Troutdale:Buzzrd Rock, Whitetop Mountain 5080'We spent the night in a rain and wind storm. We hoped we would actually get to see a sunset or sunrise or even stars. No such luck... Still a cool spot to camp. We ran into Kippy (Hippy Kippy) and his college class. For three credits, Kip takes a group of students out to the AT to live the trail life, walk thru creation, check out trail days and interect with u-thrikers. Very cool. If I ever go back to college I will attend that class. Kip is first rate and awesome. Only talked briefly but his eyes have a twinkle of yes I found what makes me happy in life and I want to share it with the world... Peace...Grayson Highlands:What can be said about truly one of the world's most beautiful spots. Unbelieveable and cool. We took many short movie clips and pictures and will share them we both of my readers when we get home. It had been raining hard all day from Elk Garden to Thomas Knob Shelter. All of a sudden the skiies cleared and we saw the highlands come out of the clouds and into splintered sunlight. We climbed on rocks, played with ponies and generally enjoyed this section. It should be on everyone's list of places to see in the world. We ended up night hiking to Old Orchard Shelter. We ran into CJ and Harry. They safely guided us to flat ground to set our tarp up...Partnership Shelter:Once again, what can I say about the shelter that has pizza delivered, sodas and hot showers. It is heaven on earth. I flew here from the Church Hostel. I drank two 2 liter root beers and five cans of soda in two hours. Lord have mercy on my gut.Atkins, Virginia:Spent two days eating even more. We had the incredible luck of having dinner with both Loon and Lizard. Lizard brought lettuce and strawberries from her garden in Virginny. Loon bought rib eye steaks and we ate like the gods intended us to eat. I love hanging out with Loon and Lizard. Very cool folks. If anyone is familar with Lond Distance Hiking then you probably have heard loon's name mentioned. The guy is a super hiker. period.Pearisburg, Virginia:It has rained almost every single day from Atkins to here. My feet were so wet and beat they resembled hamburger meat. Lisa and I had the pleasurewalking thru some beautiful terrain and wonderful people... Big thanks to Mrs. Tillie Wood for being her wonderful self and a big thanks to the Piedmont Hiking Club. Great section! We have been building our stamina and hiking bigger days. We are excitedly racing to Harper's Ferry West Virginny to meet up with Lisa's cousin and then her great parents. I kind of feel sorry for her parents... we stink and we have appetites comparable to a fully grown humpback whale. It will be a very welcomed break from the trail... and mud and rain...Francois a.k.a. aswah...p.s. it is weird that the Chicago Suntimes wrote a story about me leaving the restaurant world.p.p.s.s. Mark Verne... man I miss you and your Christopher Walkin Talkin. Please know that I think you often and am comforted in the harder moments by thoughts of you talkin like walken.   Look forward to a full eating session with you when I get back.p.p.s.s. to little Baila... Everytime I see the stars I think of you. I hope somewhere you are also looking at the stars and wondering why your crazy uncle is living like a gypsy in the mountains. I cannot answer that, I can only say that, like Thoreau, I want to live my life deliberately and in accordance with nature.