Date: 2005-06-29
From: Blackburn Hostel

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: broken clouds

Harpers Ferry! Wow, as I walked here and as I explore around the town here in West Virginia, I have been reflecting back on one since of accomplishment that has kept me going... my Grandmother "Memma" and I and our connection through the song COUNTRY ROADS. I grew up in Oklahoma with her and I singing this from a very early age. She had always sang this and her voice still rings true in my mind. Well, I know she knows this but I want to put it down on the journal. I HAVE: Floated the Shenandoah River, Hiked the Blue Ridge Mountains, Taken a'many a country roads, made it to West Virginia(first time here...I WALK here by goodness), earlier in Virginia I DID have Moonshine (could use some now too- but DID do a Wine Tasting in the Shennie Natnl Park at Skyland Lodge last Thursday , 6/23, with a few other hikers and alot of tourists. GREAT Wine too (www.thedogs.com), MOUNTAINS, oh MOUNTAINS, and Yes, I did have a time or five that I had a "teardrop in my eye!" It was as if this was scripted into my life, waiting there for me to do it, and that as it revealed itself to me I felt a stronger connection to my Memma, myself and the world around me. I hope that each of you gets to have a positive self-fullfilling prophecy or experience in your life. I am forever enriched for having done this as a part of my AT experience.What awaits from here? I can only guess but would rather let it all reveal itself to me in due time. One day at a time, one step at a time, I will be exactly where I am suppose to be and enjoying the gift of life. Even if my feet hurt along the way. On On to new places and new faces.Drop me a line, tell a friend. Make someone smile. Inspire someone.I wanted to add another set on this based on things I think about on trail. Let's call this entry: WISHFULL THINKINGSomething my mind wonders and occupies alot of my trail time is my wishfull thinking. These are things that I think about and wonder; What if? Wouldnt that be great? What I'd do if...? That would be a big WOW!Here are a few(rememeber, this is my voice inside my head speaking to, well, me) "Man, wouldn't it be great if someone, that has the means of course, would just say 'Domino, I am gonna pay off your $7000 student loan, it really is nothing for me to do this.' "I know of the best rehabilitation place in the country for a survivor of a brain anuerysm, let me take care of getting your mother into there and making her life better...no more worries for you and your family anymore.""Our community has been looking for someone exactly like you.""Foot massage... FREE Foot massage.""We're all moving out of Miami!!!!""Just wait till you summit Katahdin, you got so many great surprises. You will not belive what we have in store.""Here, these shoes will take away ALL your feet pain" 'WOW, these work!'"Let ME take care of your hotel stays when you hit towns for the rest of the journey.""You have inspired us to try a thru-hike.""If I could just get all this down on paper, I could complete my children's book series.""If I could just get these thoughts down, they would make for a great song.""Maybe I COULD be an Actor, sort of already am.""I wish I could run the country's largest Chili Cookoff and best Fine Art Festival, that would do me just fine...""My place, GOODBYE YBR, would be a combination Bed & Breakfast, hostel, soup and salad, wine and beer establishment, activity center, outdoor space for small events and place where you could come and enjoy life, relax, get a good cup of Tea and Java as well as even get a massage."I will have to post more of these as they come to mind. It's funny, you think of SO MUCH out there on the trail...and again. bam, blank in town or at computer. I guess the important things will ring through always.Thank you for reading my thoughts. Have a fantastic day!