Date: 2006-10-21
From: Somewhere near Wind Gap

To: Leroy Smith Shelter
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: broken clouds

Okay, time to leave this campsite. I am actually chomping at the bit to hike after yesterday's unscheduled zero. I still have a cold so I think I may stop in town for some medicine. Will see what the day provides. I have realized that these rocks are slowing down my pace. It is nice to have flat terrain though even if there are no views. Well, there are lots of blueberry bushes and they are sporting a very nice shade of red. Someday, when I am able to get my pictures upoaded, you will be able to see a picture I took of them. I bet it was nice for the nobos when they came thru this summer to eat some berries while taking a break from the heat. Still have not seen any wildlife (read, bears), but others have reported sightings so I guess they are out here.I met two guys out for a hike and it seems that the new most popular question is, "Where ya headed?" I always reply, "Georgia." And then comes all the other typical thruhiker questions. I ask them about the gap ahead and then I pass by, only the older fella says to me, "You can't be a real thruhiker. You don't smell." I take this as a compliment, but I'd like to clear up a common misnomer about thruhikers. You don't have to smell. True, some days I am smellier than others and some body parts are more odiferous than others, but it is possible to maintain good hygiene on the trail.And yes, some hikers are just smellier than others. But surprisingly, aside from Dorito's infected and thus smelly feet, I have not noticed too much smelliness. At least not like I thought I would have encountered. Now, to flip the coin, this is not to say that when I return to town life that I will go days without showering. Oh no! I love showering. I'll just appreciate them all the more. In fact, when I was in DWG, it was my goal to stay in the shower as long as it took for the hot water to run out!So at the road crossing, I did decide to walk into town to get some medicine. My sinus headache was still killing me. I went to a gas station and got a sample size medicine pack and some other goodies as well. See DWG did not have great resupply options, so my dinners have consisted of Easy Mac 'n Cheese which might be sorta tasty, but they hold very little nutritional value. So I got a half dozen Krispy Kreme doughnuts, cuz we all know that the ATL based doughnut company is highly regarded for its nutritional ingredients. That red blinking sign, "Hot Doughnuts Now" really means "get your daily injection of nutrition." But, c'mon, when else in my life will I be able to sit and eat a half dozen of the most sinfully rich creme filled sugar glazed doughnuts and still lose weight? Hell, I'm gonna enjoy every finger lickin' bite! Later. For breakfast.Since, I passed by a laundromat on the way to the gas station and since I did need to eat some lunch, something with protein, I decide to take care of this chore now before stains set in too deep (and to maintain my smell free reputation!) I put all my clothes in the wash except my skirt and wind jcket, which I was wearing, and then walk across the street for a hot chicken sandwich and a side of pierogies. The pierogies were no where near as good as Sara's Soda Shop's homemade ones, but did sastify that craving. I called home while I ate my sandwich and waited for my clothes to dry. I missed talking to my mom as she was at yet another baby shower for my sister (I am missing all of the festivities, darnit), but dad got me caught up on everything else, like the fact that Tech is playing Clemson tonight.I tell ya, this was the nicest wash and fold I have visited: Maytag washers and dryers, TV, video games, phone, bathroom; and this place was hopping with people. Another community moment....ahhh. But back to the trail.   Another five miles and I am at the shelter and I have it all to myself. Enjoyed reading the register as my evening bedtime story. As I am trying to go to sleep, I hear all sorts of activity: mice, chipmunks, bats? I don't see anything in the shelter, so it must be all on the roof. Dorito would have been beside himself, with his headphones turned up. He hates nocturnal noises. I wonder how he is doing? I haven't heard anything from him via phone or email, but I hope all is well with him. Oh, and I am happy to report that in the Battle of the A.T., Superstar continues her lead, now 2-0. PA Rocks were unable to foil her today!Happy Hiking,Superstarwww.trailjournals.com/happyhiker------------------------------Sent via PocketMailEmail Anywherewww.pocketmail.com