Date: 2010-06-08
From: Dutch Haus B&B - Montebello, VA

To: Dutch Haus B&B - Montebello, VA
Miles today: 0.0

Good Morning! Had a great night's sleep and an extravaganza of a breakfast. The hosts do all things with class! They even wash your laundry, very "fragrant" hiker clothes at that! Everything is clean again! I decided to stay here today for a "0" day due to the faantastic ambiance at this B&B and in hopes that others behind me will "catch-up". They are a great group. I got postcards and some stamps and bought some breakfast and lunch foods that I will need when I leave tomorrow. Hopefully that gives me enough food to last 2.5 days into Waynesboro, VA the next re-suppy spot on the AT for me. I did have a little "disturbing info" this morning. There is an article in the Roanoke Times about the hiker on June 4. Unfortunately, near the close of the article, the writer implies that the deceased hiker was "Roadrunner" from Lakeland, FL.; a bit of a shocker to me.[ I have emailed the newspaper and writer to correct that implication. I don't want anyone to read it and believe that I "passed away" on the AT. I assure you... I AM ALIVE, ENJOYING LIFE ON THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL AND LOOKING VERY FORWARD TO SEEING MY WIFE KRISTI IN ABOUT TWO WEEKS IN HARPERS FERRY, WV. It will be a great birthday gift to see her again after two months as I reach the age of 66. I plan to really "pig-out" the next 3 meals here at the Dutch Haus. Food is simply marvelous. I have likely lost 25+ pounds at this point, so the food won't hurt me!I don't have cell service here so I cannot call anyone. Hopefully cell service will be available back on the high ridges of the AT tomorrow. This may be my last update avaailability for 3 days; however, I may provide some aditional info later this evening as computer time allows. If you are following my journal, I'd love to hear from you. Simply click the "Guestbook" button and send me a message. I do miss all of my friends in Lakeland and especially Kristi and my family. Closing for now... Later, more is to come![The Roanoke Times journalist just called me to apologize for the implied error in his article. He assured me that he would correct that implication in a follow-up article later today or tomorrow. I really appreciate his prompt response and personal call to me on the issue. I am very thankful that he took the time to do so.] More to come... perhaps. Later... Back again briefly... What a beautiful weather day [and very relaxing, which I needed.] 67 degrees at 4:00 pm, bright sun, soft breeze. Hated to miss a day hiking in this weather [rain projected at 60% tomorrow unfortunately] but I need the day's rest. Spent alot of time watching 5-8 hummingbirds feed [got some pictures- I think... thery are very quick!] Boots dried in the sun. great conversation with Single Malt and Ted-E-Bear. hope they make it to the same shelter I have targeted for tomorrow evening [Harpers Creek Shelter, 12.7 miles out... unless the weather fforces me in after 5.2 at The Priest Shelter.] May God be with all who have been following my journey. Please continue to pray for my health and safety. God's beautiful handiwork becomes more visible to me daily. Hope the next two weeks finds you all to be well and happy and continues to treat me to an experience of a lifetime. God bless each of you beyond your expectations and/or merit. HE continues to bless me in so many ways! When people ask me how I am doing, I have learned to respond as my uncle Dick does in PA. "I am doing far better than I deserve to be." Grace is the ultimate gift. To live life more abundantly is the goal. God is providing that for me and my family and friends in ways we could never have imagined. The AT experience is one part of that process for me. Good for me to be on the AT now... GREAT when I am home again! Peace be unto us all. Later...