Date: 2006-06-08
From: Big Meadows

To: Big Meadows
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Enjoyed a zero day today, slept in til 7:30, and accompanied Bama and her husband Bill to Staunton to watch a movie (The DaVinci Code--not bad). Haven't seen a movie in a theatre in nearly three months. Bama and I struggled to keep our eyes open when the lights went down as we've become programmed to fall asleep when it's dark. After the movie, we moved our home base up the road to the town of Front Royal, since that's closer to where we've hiked to on the trail now. Bill will shuttle us back tomorrow so that we can slack-pack one more day, then he'll drop us off for real on Saturday before he flies back home. We feel like we'll be returning to our 'real jobs' Saturday with full packs on and no cars/hotel beds/restaurants awaiting us at the end of our hike. A big, grateful shout out goes to Bill, Scott, John and Richard for spoiling us rotten this past week with all their shuttles back and forth to the trail!Since we reached Front Royal a few days early, I went ahead and picked up my mail drop. Once again I am completely delighted by everything that my friends and colleagues are sending me. Thanks to Olivia, I have now seen my first bear--a lovely drawing by her complete with mountains and rivers. Diane, your ginger cookies are DELICIOUS and it was so sweet of you to remember my fondness for 'Anne of Green Gables' with the Montgomery book. I will defintely call you as I near North Adams MA and try to work in a visit with you in between my promised Mastrodicasa feast. I love getting all of your letters--Tonya (the most prolific , Lauren, Kari, and Leanna--I can't explain how truly wonderful it is to catch up with what's going on in all of your lives. I feel very cut off from the regular world out here. Mike, congratulations on all the exciting new developments in your career! I'm so pleased that your talents and hard work are being recognized and rewarded. Leanna, thank you so much for the poems and the Poe short story. I had read that one in college, but it's been so long that I've basically forgetten the plot (though, knowing Poe, someone somewhere is getting buried alive.) I will be interested to hear about the Civil War battle sites that you visited recently. In about five days, we expect to walk into Harpers Ferry WV (a new state--finally!) and I'm very excited at the prospect of walking around that town and soaking up the history. As usual, the food you all send me is awesome--thanks, Kari and Marcia! You saved me yet another trip to the grovery store (a big deal out here). And I fell over laughing to see the TONS of Skittles you sent, especially the 'emergency vial' of them (that I've already placed in my first aid kit). Finally, I want to say a big 'YOU GUYS ROCK THE UNIVERSE!' to the amazingly talented, totally able to thrive under pressure Online Business Program team that I left behind during probably THE busiest time of the year. Lindsay and Tonya, you are the absolute best and I have nothing but confidence in your ability to shine during this crazy period (says Little Wing, safely tucked away in the mountains, far from scantrons and probation contracts). And Catie, thank you for your note and I look forward to meeting you when I return.