Date: 2019-06-25
From: Yelow Springs Campsite

To: Sartara Gap, PA
Miles today: 9.0

TA 1,019  TD 1,915  TG 275Well, I woke up. Which means I made it thru the night. There was a torrential down pore all night long. I stayed dry in my hammock. Strider and Buck were wet in their tents and did not sleep. Mr White did not complain. We all packed up, including Just EM. Strider, Buck, Mr. White and Circuit Rider are fast hikers and were off. 7AM. Just Em said he wanted to go into town and resupply. I told him I was going into town and had a shuttle arranged to pick me up 9 miles down the trail at a cross roads. I was near certain that this would happen, but because I was unable to call out on my phone to confirm with the shuttle driver, I was left me with uncertainty. Just Em offer great certainty when he said "Don't worry, I am going to hike straight today". Holy s..., I thought, at lest one of us will be because my mind is racing a mile minute. The path was mucky from the night rain. Shoes were muddy and wet. Rocks lined the path demanding respect. Just Em led the way. I encouraged him to walk on, but he stopped when I stopped. He talked incisively. He knew it. "I am talking a lot. I am off my medicine and need to get to a dispensary before I get agitated". He has a medical marijuana card. He talked about his parents, mental illness in the family, his upbringing, his girlfriend, his life, his work and ADAH. He wants to help the homeless. He gets angry at the greed. He cannot work more than a few month because of other people creating problems fr him. He cannot keep a job. He quiet school because of issues. From my line of work and experience with people, I am all too familiar with this scenario. It is so much more than ADAH. Every time he went off on a tangent, I reminded him of a saying Murdock saw on a bumper sticker "Don't always believe what you think". He would laugh He understood completely. He asked what mountain laurel looked liked. I showed him. He talked about plants, mushrooms and poison. It is amazing what the forest absorbs. I did not feel uncomfortable or unsafe. Just compassion for a struggling soul. We stopped at Rausch Gap Shelter to regroup. Just Em hung out his wet tarp for drying, ate a spam sandwich which looked appetizing and smoked his smoke.  He changed his socks and shoes from boots to sandals. He is doing better than I, I thought. I just got water from the spring and drank. It was just past 9AM and we did 4 miles. 5 miles to go. Looking or an opportunity to call out to the shuttle drive to confirm a ride into the town of Pine Grove, PA were I have a room reserved at the Quality Inn. My hiking companion and I continued down the trail, circumventing the beaver damn with an alternate AT trail identified. That eliminated forging a knee-high river. Just Em continued to talk. I continued to listen, offering "Don't always believe what you think, Just Em. That is your mantra." He would laugh. My calf was cramping, making it hard to walk. My toes were sore. Just Em was compassionate and slowed his pace. I had cell service at the top of the mountain and was able to confirm a 12:30PM pick up for transportation into the town of Pine Ridge. I fronted the $20 for the ride into town. Just Em offered $20 to stay with me at the hotel, but I declined. He was going to look for a church or hostel. I know there is no dispensary in this little town. We parted ways. He thanked me and said he enjoyed walking with me. He hopes we will walk again. I gave him a hug. "Be well Jut Em, peace, and don't always believe what you think, especially if it disturbs your peace".