Date: 2003-06-13
From: 2 miles north of Dripping Rock

To: Rockfish Gap, Waynesboro
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

CHECK OUT THE NEW PHOTOS!I stayed amazingly dry last night. When morning came, all the storms had passed. I didn't get to have dinner last night, so I made it this morning. Fettuccini alfredo with spaghetti sauce again. Re-hydrating the sauce while I walked worked well. It took less fuel and time to prepare it. But once I did re-hydrate it, I was committed to use it or throw it away. It was good, but not what my stomach expected at 7am. The first shelter was 7 miles and there was a surprise waiting there. A goat with a collar was hanging out. There was already a couple there and Barking Spiders was there. Nobody claimed the goat and said it just arrived. I decided to eat lunch there, which would eat the very last of my food except one pasta dinner. I don't need to eat any more pasta... ever. I thought I would go Mexican for lunch and eat a bag of Doritos. As soon as I pulled the Doritos out of my pack, the goat attacked. It ran right in the shelter and jumped right up on me. I said, "Get your hooves off me you damn dirty goat!" This goat has had Doritos before, and they were the center of its attention. I asked Barking if he'd take a picture of the goat eating a Dorito out of my mouth. He was so appalled of the idea that I decided it was socially unacceptable and didn't do it. I left the shelter and left the Doritos with the couple because I was afraid it would follow me. That's all I need - a goat in tow all the way to Maine. When I got to town, Sara and Jason were at the road. They told me that if I go to the Visitors Center, a town volunteer will take me the town and wherever in town I want to go. A woman drove me to 800 Elm Avenue. This is Chicken Legs' parents¢ house. I felt a little strange asking, "Is Chicken Legs here?" They had burgers cooking when I came in. As soon as I had my fill, I walked to the post office for my mail drop. I walked to the library and checked out where everyone is on trailjournals.com. I enjoyed the walk back. Waynesboro is beautiful with big houses and well-manicured lawns. Speaking of houses, the Johnson's house is the first house I have been in since my Uncle Ronnie¢s on March 31st. Even though this is a big house, it still seems small compared to the forest. When I returned, I got a shower. Maybe I should have done that earlier, but the post office was closing. When I came down stairs, Mrs. Johnson was playing bluegrass on the banjo with C.C. playing guitar. Smiles is here, but the news is bad - very bad. She tore a ligament and will need surgery. So she is obviously off the trail. Poor Billyboy had his two best friends leave the trail in one week. Iron Chef, Play, Mothman, and I went to Krogers for beer and junk food. When we returned, we decided to sleep outside since it was a perfect night. It would have worked out well, except at midnight the neighbors dog started barking, and she came out and asked what we were doing. We didn't answer her, so she said much louder, "What are you doing?" Chef had to run across the street so she didn't wake the world. I feel better sleeping under the stars instead of a wood floor. It gives me a chance to try out my summer sleeping bag before I send my winter one home. The kindess of the Johnsons has been great and they really made me feel at home.Peace,Dutch