Date: 2004-05-13
From: Damascus Va

To: Damascus Va (Trail Days)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Wow! I could write about 6 million things, but it's 4 am again and I'm beat. I'll do my best to hit the big points and I'll try not to ksip too much. Here goes:I woke up by 9:30 am (3 hours... woohoo) and I hit sidetracks for breakfast. I cheked email briefly and Walk softly isn't coming . He hurt his foot and is recooperating at home. I met even more hikers again and most names are escaping me.. but one isn't: a 26 year old girl named Skippy. Skippy was one of the many hikers I met but she seemed really fun, really cool, and kind of cute (do not start assuming anything...you'll see why). Soon I said goodbye to check the post office and sadly my shoes never arrived. I decided I had to hitch to K-mart in Abingdon and was about to start that endeavor when who wlaked (skipped) up but Skippy. She needed to get her pictures developed and I invited her to hitch with me (attractive girl equals early hitch), to my surprise she said yes.At 10:30am we began to hitch and in almost 10 whole seconds we had a ride. The guy who picked us up was "Jimbo". Jimbo was supposed to be helping his sister move but said he'd rather be fishing. He seemed more than happy to drive us to K-mart and talk though. In short Jimbo was funny and generally great while also very stereotypical of the south . While there, I talked to Skippy who seemed intelligent and charming. She helped me find shoes and soon we met Jimbo back at the car. I'm stil shocked Jimbo not only gave us a hitch, but also waited for us and drove us home. On the way home we gave JImbo a coke and listened to his stories... they were hilarious and involved fishing, the army, his las vegas marriage, and more. By noon we were home.I had enjoyed the brief time I had talked to Skippy and she mentioned wanting to discuss the Bible at some point. We knew we would both be busy this weekend so we went to lunch to eat and talk. As we talked, Skippy discussed God, falling away, and being at a place of wanting to be so much closwer to him again. I was able to express to her how AWESOME God has been for me out here and encouraged hr. It was by far the deepest and best conversation I have had on the trail. God has blessed me so much and it was so cool to share it with someone. I would have a crush on Skippy... BUT, as is the case with most attractive christian girls in cute skirts, she has a boyfriend. OH WELL None the less, I was able to talk to her as a sister in Christ and God has given me SO MUCH to be real about. I am so blessed with how God has hlped me mature to see girls in his light, and talking to Skippy was like talking to a close friend. I'd love to talk with her again, and I will be praying for her and her wlk with God regardless. One other Fun thing is that she wants to buzz her hair and I told her I would shave mien if she did... Ma, haha!After we talked I ran over the the Old Mill for work at 2pm. Since I last tlaked to Michelle, the manager, I no longer needed black pants and dress shoes. Instead they gave me a tye-dye, bought me black camp shoes, and Stu (the owner) gave me 40 bucks for any clothes I bought. I trained quickly and their set-up was far more organized than the restaurant I worked in at ome (The Old Mill Rocks!) By 4pm I was trained and I passed out fliers until 5 pm when it was time for dinner. It really was not too crowded and it was my first night so I was a "helper", their form of busser. I was a little sad but then Melissa, Stu's wife, gave me a table when she saw I was doing well. Her and Michelle wanted to see how I woudl do. I ended up waiting 3 tables. While this was not much, it was fun and I know I did well. I still Made $50 in tips on my 9 guests. Later Stu stopped me and I was a bit worried then he said, "I wanted to thank you for doing a great job. You received 3 compliments tonight." I love waiting tables and was particularly happy when I heard this news. Tomorrow I will be a normal waiter .I stopped at sidetracks and decompressed after work and then I went to tent city where I met Miss Janet. Miss Janet is the coolest woman ever and I spent 5 days at her house when I was hurt (it's a hostel). I talked with Miss Janet for a while and beatboxed for a bunch of people. It was really chill! Tehre was a huge fire and plenty of hikers. I've just now finally retired to my tent AAH... What a day. Final thoughts:- The tye-dye from the Mill is really cool- I made money which I really needed ")- I love Miss Janet- I met a cool friend today in Skippy- I get to sing and rap, which really rocks- There are all kinds of hikers in a field here al in tents- Its 4:45 am and hundreds of hikers are still up- I feel blessed!To all my friends at home, Goodnight...Beatbox      ttt