Date: 2008-06-04
From: Gourmet Dave & Sue's home, Waynesboro, VA

To: Grace Lutheran Church Hostel, Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Gourmet Dave asked me yesterday what my plans were for today. I told him about meeting my '03 sobo friends on Friday at Loft Mtn Campground in Shenandoah.He said that was only 27 miles. I said that I really wasn't in any hurry. He said....well, you might as well stay another day. I said ok. :-)I woke up at 4am to a strong thunderstorm rolling through, so I decided to finish my journal and answer a few emails.I laid back down at 6am and then started hearing some noise downstairs, so I got ready and walked down for some coffee. :-)I got there just as Sue was leaving for work. She said hello and goodbye in a matter of 30 seconds.I poured my first cup of Green Mountain coffee and went in and sat down and talked hiking with Gourmet Dave for about two hours.He really has me excited about walking in Newfoundland. I watched a slide show he put together along with Celtic music....very nice!Gourmet Dave was running late for school, so he got ready and left me all alone in his house with a refrigerator full of food. 8-)I made a bowl of cereal and had more coffee, then decided I was still tired from not getting enough sleep.I laid down and took a nap....sleeping good for about an hour.I woke up just as I was getting hungry for lunch, so I walked downstairs and found a left over salmon patty.I made a great sandwich and had another bowl of cereal, checked a few things online, then went up and read seven chapters of my book before falling asleep for my after lunch nap. :-)I love days when my body has a chance to repair muscles! :-)Gourmet Dave came home from school and we had more coffee while we talked about hiking again. That's one of the great things about being around other hikers....you get to talk about hiking with someone who's actually interested in the subject. :-)Sue came home and she started dinner.I offered to help, but she politely said that I would just be in her way. :-)She made delicious chicken enchiladas from scratch and they were sooooo good!I even got more sliced onions on mine than Gourmet Dave got on his. Ha!Most people wouldn't have noticed, but Gourmet Dave is a long distant hiker and long distant hikers check out everyone's food. ;-)Gourmet Dave and Sue volunteer as hosts at Grace Lutheran Church two nights a week and tonight was one of those nights.They offered their home to me for the night, but I said I'd much rather go to the hostel with them and spend the night.We got to the church hostel and I saw some hikers I knew and some new faces.Bus Driver was there, then I saw Red, Thought Criminal, Duncan, Zack, Sunbeam, Dude, Carpe Diem and a few others....15 in all.I REALLY have to thank Sue and Gourmet Dave for their hospitality....and I have to say that I've had a great time and now have a new trail to walk in Newfoundland after seeing Gourmet Dave¢s slide show.I had never even heard of this church hostel before. It's very nice!They have a kitchen, showers, computers, TV and sleeping cots....and are very hiker friendly.I have always thought of Palmerton, PA as the friendliest town along the AT, but I'm now rethinking that Waynesboro, VA took over the #1 spot.I've never thanked a town before for welcoming hikers, but I have to thanks to the friendly people of Waynesboro!Another great day on the Appalachian Trail. :-)