Date: 2014-04-28
From: Long Branch Shelter

To: Budget Inn Hostel
Miles today: 3.6
Weather: light rain

   No mice that bothered me but Ben said he saw some in the middle of the night. And one bit a little hole in his sleeping bag. Sleep was good and no rain in the morning. There was some unexpected uphill (because I forgot) in the beginning that slowed me down a bit. After that was fine though and we got to Rock Gap around 920 or so. We were trying to get picked up by a shuttle into town that comes at 9 and 11 so we thought we'd miss the first one but saw a large group of people from afar. Out of the group, we noticed Marshall and Ryan ((Pyro and Wonkers (after Willy Wonka because he was eating so many chocolate bars)) and shouted with excitement! We weren't sure when we'd catch up with them but we surely didn't think it would be then! It was so good to see them and Sarah (Naptime) was there too. We learned from them that the shuttle didn't come yet but he did soon after. We decided to stay at the hostel for tonight and might do a room at the inn tomorrow.    When we got into our room that fits four people (not bad for a hostel at all), two guys were still there packing up since they didn't have to be out until 11. They were the barefoot guys that everyone's been talking about and they're fruitarians too! They said it's been going awesome and I could see it in their lit-up eyes and expressions that they truly meant it and were enjoying it out here. They're sponsored by a date company that sends them 5lb boxes of dates. So crazy. They were really nice guys and I hope we catch up with them frequently. They left us some bananas which was wonderful.    After they left, Tinker came in to be our third person in the room. She was at the shelter last night. She's older, not sure how old, but she's an awesome, funny woman. Ben and I left to walk down to the Ingles supermarket and Dollar General to see if we could find formula for the baby mouse. No luck but we did find some snacks. I got JJ's Fruit Pies for 55 cents! Even though they're heavier, at 4 ounces, they have over 400 calories and taste delicious so I'm excited to look for those in the south. We walked to the Outdoor 76 store from there and they had a huge banner hanging outside welcoming AT hikers that was so cool. It was a great store too. Made us want to play disc golf of course once we saw the discs and practice baskets set up. We stayed there for awhile looking around, signed our names on the wall in the bar inside, and then walked back to the hostel to hang out. I finally posted some photos online and grabbed a shower before the 4:00 shuttle to Walmart.    There was a Great Clips across from it so we went there first for Ben to get a hair cut. It looks good! In Walmart, we got a few different things like kitty milk formula for the mouse, a small speaker to play music, and Doritos and icing for some early birthday treats. Definitely pushing it with some of this junk food already.    I looked up that vegan place. Turns out there's not a vegan thing on the menu! So we'll see where we end up tomorrow. I've just been typing up journal entries and texting people while eating everything. It's been nice just relaxing here. It finally started to rain around 10 and then the thunder and lightning rolled in strong. For once, they were right about the weather. We heard it was supposed to be really bad so I'm happy we're here. It's nice listening to the rain from inside and watching the sky light up.    Ben mentioned something I hadn't consciously thought about until now which is that there's something that feels homey being around each other. It's comforting and not exactly lonely like one might feel even if in a room with others. It's really cool that it feels like that even though we've only known each other for a few days. I really enjoy hanging out with him and sharing so many things together. I know this is a personal journey, but I think this friendship adds something extra special to it. It also helps with easing into this new life that I'll be living for awhile. He helps me to stop and appreciate things even more than I already would. And I somehow do the same for him. I wouldn't trade any of the days we've had together just to be alone. It's all been part of this wonderful adventure and exciting journey.