Date: 2014-04-22
From: Helveys Mill Shelter

To: VA 606
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: moderate rain

I woke to find Trix's tent set up nearby and the extra water carted up the night before untouched. Although a little hurt it had gone unappreciated, it did mean I could delay making the trek down to water until after I had eaten. Top O' and Thin Mint were still there as I set up the stove but both headed out before it was ready and I ate alone enjoying the morning sun. Shortly thereafter Trix crawled out of her tent to join me explaining that she hadn't wanted to wake me the night before but appreciated the thought at least.After another hike down for water I left just before 10. Just before reaching the white blazes I saw what appeared to be Rabbit's staff but definitely not his pack. Looking for answers I surveyed the surrounding woods and found Rabbit 15 feet to me left crouched in mid morning movement. Despite the circumstances we caught up on the last 24 hours, albeit with averted gazes. He had gotten the free church breakfast and then shortly after had been roped into stayed at Fort Bastion by Trubrit - a decision he regretted not one bit. Today he, Grasshopper, and Gandalf were slackpacking to VA 606 and then spending another night there.Caught up on current events I continued and ran into Grasshopper shortly thereafter. We hiked together until the next shelter and discussed life from a number of angles with highlights including his experience on a top caving rescue team, home brewing, and women.At the shelter we met up with Jigsaw, Helen, and Bumblebee and joined them for lunch. Thin Mint arrived shortly thereafter as did Gandalf, Rabbit, and Lost and Found. Grasshopper, not really waiting on anyone headed out before the new arrivals with the plan of waiting at Trents Grocery with a few beers. Rabbit had some more news to share at lunch: he was thinking of getting off the trail to work on the physical realization of the Fort Bastion dream, an adventure center Trubrit was building entirely by hand from the trees on the property with at least five years of work. He was visibly excited about it and hit the trail with a bounce not long after.Trix arrived and ate and we hiked together for a bit until nature's calling enforced a parting of ways. I caught Low Gear just before VA 606 and we walked to Trents Grocery together both dreaming of a cold beer and some fast food. We were granted only the second as drinking was prohibited on the premises, but I certainly indulged, seeing not a menu but a checklist.Trubrit arrived as I was trying to call my family for a second time that day and Trix and I jumped in. He's a very interesting guy - ex special forces turned businessman who gave both a family fortune and his own self-made multi-million away in order to live on a few acres in Virginia with nothing but a few tents, a generator, and a vision. At the moment it was only a tent city and a few partially constructed log buildings but as we drove up through the property he gestured to the archery range, the zipline stations, the pistol range, the horse barn, the low ropes course, and more. His confidence was tangible enough that a few hikers had already set up semi-permanent residences and were joining in the dream.Dusk was waning as we set up and it was dark by the time I headed up to the big tent. A lattice of ropes held together at least ten tarps supported in the center by one stripped tree trunk. A large fire ring sat at the base of the trunk and around that were swivel chairs, stumps, lawn chairs, and a few dogs.I had brought up my notebook and had a lot to catch up on journal-wise as well as just a lot on my mind looking to make it down on paper. While tied up with pen and paper I listened as the many conversations and stories around the fire ebbed and flowed. The beer followed a similar path, ebbing from the various cases and flowing down the various throats. Before long two guitars were brought out and conversation turned to song. After running out of words to write I turned in for the night, but not before taking some flack for being quiet around the fire. I blamed the trail name.