Date: 2004-04-01
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Rockfish Gap (Tree Streets Inn)
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: light rain

Log entry: 60Start time: 0800End time: 1500Morning weather: Foggy and rainy, about 36Afternoon weather: Rain steady from Paul C. Wolfe shelter into the eveningEvening weather: Rain off and onBreakfast: PoptartsLunch: Mini Chips AhoyDinner: Weasie's Kitchen, all-you-can eat pancakes, only 12. They were the big, plate sized ones, but still no excuses.Trail description: Some very cool parts today, cedar cliffs and Humpback Mt were cool. There was a spot before Humpback where the trail goes up this boulder field and the climbing is a little dangerous. I started walking around it because there is a trail that skirts all the fun stuff. But I looked up to see white blazes, "Those can't be blazes" I told myself. But sure enough they are. It turns out the Solemates said and did the exact same thing. Anyways, a very fun climb I am glad I did not miss. For the most part the rest of the trail was flat and fast. There were some very rocky parts during the first 5 miles from Maupin Field that were very sharp and slippery. The high humidity clung to the moss making the rocks pretty dicey. People: The volunteers at the visitors center, Bill and his wife from The Tree Streets Inn B&B, various townsfolk including Garth and Henry Winkle.Animals: Deer, birds, and squirrels. Money spent: $3 laundry, 35 cents for fuel fill up, $4 @ Weasies, $35 or so for resupplyBiggest complaint: Just not enough time in the day. So many nice people to meet and chat with but too many chores to get done.Thoughts: I woke up to yet another morning of fog and the patter of rain. Sometime during the morning I decided that doing 16 miles just to sit in a shelter from 1300 on wasn't an efficient use of my time. Plus the more miles I did now the less I would have to do over the next 6 days. So I set my goal for Waynesboro.The morning went by fast except for the rocky segments which were quite, well,rocky. A jaw-dropping adjective eludes me at this time, the rocks were tough. But before I knew it I was up and over Humpback rocks, which was a very coolmountain. The thick briars put the tune, "The Battle of New Orleans" by theNitty Gritty Dirt Band in my head for the rest of the way. "They ran through the briars they through the prickers (prounouced 'prackers') they ran through the places where the rabbits wouldn't go..."As things usually go in my life, music triggers all kinds of emotions andmemories. I remember when my dad bought that tape at Patty's Drug Store inBaldwin,MI while we were on our annual weeklong stint at Big Star Lake. Hebought it not all that long ago, maybe 10 years ago. I remember being a littleembarassed only because it was just into the era where you didn't buy tapesanymore. Plus the name of the band sounded a little sketchy. But you can'tjudge a cassette by its cover and over the years it has become a favorite.Probably the main reason being Dad and I always listen to it on the way to theOshkosh Air show. Although I have not been able to go with him the past 2summers and won't again this year, we always had a great time and it was usually a highlight of the summer. More importantly the song made me think of family, which put me on a high that carried me quickly into Waynesboro.I made the first stop at the Rockfish Gap visitors center, which is where allhikers should stop, especially if headed into Waynesboro.The visitors center is staffed by volunteers which are very friendly and have alist of trail angels that will give you a ride into town and pick you back upwhere ever you wish to stay. There is a mess of roads, or so it seems at least, and I would have no idea where to start to hitch a ride. I chatted for a while and the nice man at the counter called up Bill from Tree Streets Inn and he was over in about 15 minutes. In the meantime I checked out the visitors center which was blooming with area information. If you have a car and a full tank of gas there is no reason to be bored. Once at the Inn I spread my gear out up in the attic. It was warm and dry upthere, perfect to quickly get my damp sleeping bag and muddy boots dried outovernight. I then loaded up my pack with dirty laundry and grabbed a bike andwent out about my business.First I went to the Post Office and picked up both my maps from home and my newPocketmail!!! I then swung over to the True Value where I filled up my fuelbottle, for a whopping 35 cents. While there I was approached by Garth who isan avid hiker and AT fan. He said he would give me whatever I needed. I needed to do laundry which was just up the road so I told him I would see him at Weasies in about an hour. Onto the laundromat which didn't have a bathroomwhere I could change into my long underwear. It was way to crowded inside tononchalauntly strip. So I headed out behind the building and successfullycompleted my mission, unnoticed. Or at least I didn't notice if anyone noticed.While the wash whirled I went through my packages. I was thrilled at the newpocketmail and was anxious to put it to work. Besides that Grandma Reuschel had a letter and some newpapper clippings. Including one of some immigrants from I think Hungary who were trying to sneak into the country from Canada. From what I remember they planned on a five minute ride from Windsor into Detroit but either the boxcar didn't stop or they couldn't get the door open and 4 hours later they ended up trapped in the boxcar in Holland. HPD responded to a resident's call who heard screams coming from inside the parked train. The couple was happy to be freed even if it was only for a matter of minutes until they were held at HPD until the Border Patrol could pick them up. Another day in the City that always sleeps.After drying I made my way over to Weasies where I met Garth and we chattedwhile I ate plate sized griddle cakes. Had my waitress been a little moreJohnny on the Spot I think I could have eaten more but I am glad that she wasn't because I would have been even more ill. I'm a little like a horse in a hay barn sometimes, I would eat myself to death if given enough time and resources.Garth then dropped me off back at the Inn which was a little tricky to find inthe dark, but I made it.I had to get groceries yet but had not planned out exactly how my week wouldtranspire. A few minutes with my maps and Thru-hiker handbook and I knew howmany days worth to buy. So I set out on foot this time and made my way to theKroger. It only took about 20 minutes and while checking out the man behind me, Henry Winkle, let me use his Kroger card to get a further 6 dollars off my tab. He also gave me a ride back to the Inn and told me to look him up next time I was in town for a nights stay at his place.Finally at the B&B for good I showered and made a box ready to send home while I watched the college three point shoot-out and dunk contest. The dunk contest of my "peers" put the informal "can-you-top-this" we have at Grand Valley to shame. My only contribution to the contests is my "rare and awe-inspiring" ability to dunk jumping off my weak leg and using my left (weak) hand. It's hard to do but not quite as challenging as jumping over 6 fifth graders like the winner did. But it was probably just the lighting in the gym and camera angles.