Date: 2004-04-22
From: Erwin-Uncle Johnny's Hostel D1

To: Erwin-Uncle Johnny's Hostel D2
Miles today: 0.0

AM entry:Its morning and most everyone is taking the morning shuttle for town. During the quiet I thought I'd write and tell.It's been difficult watching people leave to get back on the trail. But some of the gang I left in Hot Springs are trickling in. Navigator, ray-el and sanguine are zeroing so I won't be left behind. If my mail drop gets here today, I'll be able to walk out with them tomorrow.Yesterday, I went out with the gang for breakfast. Picked up a gel insole for the shoes. I put them in and walked back into town. If they feel good on asphalt, they¢ll be good for the trail, is what I figure.Headed out, only to be picked up by Grizzly Dave, who is zeroing a few days with his wife. They dropped me off downtown and I checked with the post office being hopeful. All I had was a letter from Linda with sad news. But its fun getting news of the neighborhood.No package, so back to the hostel. Stopped off at the library to look at the photos I sent in. Looking good. Then I realized my arches hurt, so I stopped at a pharmacy and bought arch supports. Sat down and put them in,   now, the feet feel really happy.Another revelation I had was a conversation with BearBehind. He asked about my hip. He asked why I'm taking an anti-inflammatory if it's chronic pain. He recommended aspirin. So I bought a bottle and what do you know. Talk about feeling like an idiot. Cheap and available. So, I'll be switching over to aspirin. Duh! I actually slept through the night for the first time since I started this trip.The plan is to put my pack on my back at three and ride into town and get my package and be off in the morning.More Hot Springs gang showing up. Sitting on the patio and will chat some.Namaste'PM entry:The mail drop showed up!! I sat under the post office eaves and split the package and mailed half of it ahead to a hostel called Kinkora in Hampton. Packed the food for this stretch into the backpack and rode the bicycle back here. Now that was an exciting event.A huge backpack, half packed with stuff and five or six pounds of food, riding a ten speed of which only five work and only the back brakes work. As I was coming downhill across the bridge, I was wondering if I'd be able to stop. Well, I did.So, the food has been sorted, clean clothes packed, clean sleeping bag liner packed. Stove will go in the morning after I've made my coffee in the morning. Cold granola and hit the trail.Some observations about the trail. I know the trail is a really narrow strip in places, and it crosses highways and byways. But how narrow it gets became a reality on one stretch. I was walking along and heard a generator and the sound of pneumatic nail gun. I realized the trail was running about ten feet from the ridge. I walked up to the top of the ridge and right on the other side was an asphalt road and a row of houses, one getting a new roof. Now that was a shock since I had been walking alone for five or six hours, huffing and puffing up and down the hills. It was like some kind of twilight zone episode.Crossing under Interstate 40 was another strangeness. Passing from woods onto a paved road, going under the highway, watching eighteen wheelers passing over my head. The town stops are even amazing. Hitching a ride, realizing I haven't had a shower in five days, wanting to apologize for smelling like I haven't showered in five days.Ultimately, hiking my own hike. I'm anxious to be back on the trail. Tomorrow. Namaste'