Date: 2008-05-01
To: Zero at Elmers.
Miles today: 0.0

I was awake alot throughout the night. I was doing the "itchy & scratchy" thing all night with this ever maddening poison ivy. What gives? I haven't had this stuff for years. I tried to sleep in until breakfast was served at 8:30 a.m. Elmer prepares a vegetarian breakfast and dinner for his guests. You have to sign up for it in advance and at least eat there once. It was delicious and I particularly enjoyed sitting at the table and conversing with everyone as if we were at a family meal.After breakfast I said goodbye to Banjo & Gideon. I would have enjoyed having their company for another day. There were 2 other section hikers leaving as well. I believe their names were "Shamrock" and "Packsalot"? Both firemen from Atlanta. Good luck boys.Now its time to do "the dirty deed". And that is go to Dollar General, buy a jug of bleach and saturate myself to dry up this Poison Ivy. This remedy is tried and proven although I wouldn't recommend it to the "sensitive" types.To be effective, you must continually apply this to the affected areas. When it dries, re-apply. It will eat the rag you apply it with and will begin to burn your skin after a couple of times. Suck it up and keep applying.It is the quickest, surest way to dry this crap up. What a lousy way to spend an otherwise perfect zero day. So here I sit, in my room carefully covering the floor and anything else that could be damaged from the bleach and proceed to do "the dirty deed".Powder River hung out in the room with me for a while today. We drank some wine and he explained some of the features of my camera and showed me how to take better pictures using various settings."Powder" is a good dude. Back in the world he is an independant tour guide in Washington DC. He is a walking history book and a fountain of knowledge. And a non to shabby of a photographer as well.Sitting here cooking myself, I am now undistracted in my thoughts. I have been on the AT now for 1 month. Has it been that long? It seems to have gone by so quick? So much more has happened than I ever expected. I had very high expectations and they have all been exceeded and surpassed.FRIENDSHIP has been redefined for me. I have spoken alot about "The Magnificent Seven". Four weeks ago we were strangers, now we are a group. We have become a tight little family and above all, FRIENDS. These people mean so much to me now, I would take a bullet for them.I didn't come out here to change, although I expected for there to be some?I have become a first hand believer in the Magic that you will find on the AT.Having read other journals, I realized there was an alure, a mystique?I have entertained those thoughts myself.However, I also thought there was a certain amount of flowery, rose colored lense fluff associated with this? Not so my friend, it is very real.For those that know me, you know that I am not a huggy kissy kind of person.I enjoy my space and solitude. Wilderness Backpacking has always been a cherished Solo experience.Although, that has not changed, something else is going on inside me?I am open and receptive to the forces at work here. I can only wait and see what happens? The people I have been surrounded with is no accident. Not just the "7" but others I have come in contact with as well.Each day is better than before, I have experienced things that I cannot explain? An example I see over and over, When you need or want something, it somehow manifests itself at just the right time. Things appear, conditions are created to make other things possible. It is real! And it happens every day! 1 month ago, I would have bet against these words, My words. I would have lost it all! It is so real, that it creates an excitemnet that makes you "can't wait to get up in the morning" just to see what the day is going to bring?And no, I am not having a bad reaction from to much Ramen or Oatmeal.Later, the day took an unexpected spiral. Topshelf took me aside and announced that he was leaving the trail. WHAT!? He has been toughing it out with ankle and feet issues. It was a prior condition that this continuous punishment hasn't helped. His plan is to go back to Michigan, see his doctor and meet us again at the upcoming "Trail Days" in Damascus.Where is the magic you ask? I think we are looking straight at it but we just don't see it? Having gotten to know Topshelf, his heart would push him on, ignoring a worsening condition that could be crippling or disable him permanently? The magic is in him finding the courage to make the right decision.You will be sorely missed my friend. I am at a loss for words right now.