Date: 2014-04-20
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Atkins
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Easter in MarionThe day after a 30 mile day is a physical curiosity. You want to die, but you somehow just can't muster up the energy to end it all. Death takes work. Since I didn't make it to the shelter until late on Saturday I had pitched camp so as to not disturb anyone in the shelter with my headlamp. I got up early the next morning with the intent of trying to get myself a hitch into town and was given a cheery greeting by Grasshopper and Runaway, pretty much the most wonderful couple on this trail. They're retired and decided to hike back home to their native land of Maine after living for some years in the Commonwealth (aka VA). They offered me their last slice of pizza from their dinner the night before. That's the beauty of Partnership Shelter. It's locate off the parking lot for Mt. Roger's Visitor Center, which has a phone specifically set aside for hikers so that they can call into town for pizza delivery! How cool is that? Best breakfast ever: cold pizza. It made me relive some college moments in the dorm. Yum.The two of them packed up to head on for the day and I went to the phone and called every church in Marion to try and find a ride. I left messages with the Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians, and even the Catholics, pleading for a chance to attend a service. But nobody answered. I finally gave up and went back to the shelter to pack up my stuff and eat a second breakfast of instant mashed potatoes and summer sausage. I was bummed and I couldn't quite get myself really moving. The triple helping do mashed potatoes didn't help. I ate the last bite and then stretched myself out onto the grass in a sunny spot and took a little nap. At 9:45 Wingin' It skipped into camp (not being cute here. Lean, tall, bearded 20-something, good look in' guy was truly skipping) and woke me up. He had hustled in the last 10 miles to try to get to church too. I told him my predicament and we sadly decided to bag it and pack out together. We had just hoisted out packs to leave when an older fellow, with the most pleasant southern accent I've ever heard, walked up to the shelter and asked if there was a "Clahreesa" in the house. It was good to hear my real name. He explained that the pastor of the Presbyterian church had heard my message and called around until he's found some one willing to venture over and find me. Perfect timing!Wingin' It and I piled into his mini pick up and headed ourselves into town. I went to the Presbyterian service where I was heartily welcomed and Wingin' It stepped over to find himself a Catholic mass. Lots of kneeling over there. Hard on hiker knees. I'll stick with the Calvinists. It was a lovely service. Afterwards I was offered a lift back to Partnership by a couple, Marty and Paul, who were headed back over the mountain. Good car chat and then I was suddenly back on the trail headed for Atkins. I met with Kristo the Lion and Val at the trail head and we agreed to meet up in town in 10 miles for a night at the local motel. We all took off together, but I quickly fell to the back of the pack. My legs refused to produce any kind of speed. About 4 miles from town I was finally starting I get my legs in working order. I was trucking along nicely when the ground came up to meet my face. I was in a down hill and I had missed a rock that was covered in leaves. My foot slipped and my ankle turned under with a wrench of pain. I hobbled the remaining miles and felt my ankle grow and grow. I holed up for the night with Val as a roommate and tried not inspect my ankle too closely. The purple tinge to the joint was more than I really wanted to face. I was thankful for a shower and laundry. I slept like a rock.