Date: 2004-06-20
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: Blackburn Trail Center
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: clear sky

The ride is over. The rollercoaster has ended. It was awsome! Tonight I am relaxing at a hostel where I just had an all you can eat dinner of spaghetti and a coke (day 30). I thought the "rollercoaster" would be an up and down day. Instead it was a day of almost all ups...Wow! I am in West Virgina after 535 miles of Virginia and I'm pumped! This hostel is wonderful and run by donation. I'm so blessed.   Last night I barely slept due to cold weather so I took the time to salvage/recopy the majority of my wet journals. I may be tired, but I was productive. The good news about the cold weather is that the day was cool as well, and today was (dun, dun, dum)-"The Rollercoster". The Rollercoaster is 10 up and downs in 13 miles with almost no views. It is dreaded by most hikers. I, however, think today was one of the most beautiful days I have hiked yet. I was unbelievable.   The sky was the deepest sky blue I have ever seen. The sun broke through the trees with rays of splender blurring the line between light and shade. We traversed rocks, tall older trees, and numerous creeks. Everything around us was idyllic and we were amazed as we walked. The greenery was so pleasant and rolling. As we took our first break by a creek we reflected. Shenandoah was supposed to be so beautiful. Instead there was no old growth trees, few creeks, and all the views were on the road. The rollercoaster was supposed to be awful. Instead it was wonderfully pleasant and it was fun for change in slopes. Still in wonder we walked on.   Every few minutes one of us (Skippy, Poppins, and I) would mention either that we were leaving Virginia or that we would be hitting 1,000 miles, then we would immediately burst into fits of excitement. All day nature overtook us and I can't even remember most of what we talked about. I know I sang "The River" and worship songs and I know I enjoyed reflecting with the ladies. We were so lost though and it was great.   Around noon we took a shelter break (privy...WooHoo!) and left a "name the Rollercoaster" contest in the register. Our next 3 miles included an immense view from some rocks. Atop the ledge, with the day's clarity, I could see for miles. We passed more weekenders in this setion than all of my weekends combined to this point. Happy Father's Day! As we went over each top on the rollercoaster we threw our hands in the air and screamed. We also kept count of our climbs. After climb number 7 we headed in for lunch from Snickers Gap.   Lunch was the only "bummer" of our day . We went to Horseshoe Curve Restaurantat at 2 pm starving. The sign said "closed". We looked at it in disbelief as we salivated in sheer hunger. A lady came out to tell us they were closed for the day due to the previous day's huge party. "You should have been here, there was all kinds of food" She said, "I'd offer you a drink but nothing's cold." A) Why tell us about the food when you know we are starving hikers? B) Nothing's cold...huh? If nothing is cold in the bar, why are you drinking cold cokes? Frustrated, I ate a snickers bar and Wheat-N-Cheese crackers. All at one my energy fell through the basement.   As we returned to the trail, I felt more tired than I have at almost any point on the trail. I nearly fell asleep while walking and I tripped 3 times. I collapsed into a 5-minute cat nap as Poppins filled water. I had to wake up if I was going to finish the last 6.5 miles. Then I got a brilliant idea: I would run. At first my body did not know what the heck I was doing, but soon thereafter my blood started pumping and another factor sent adrenaline surging through my body. The West Virginia State Line. After 51 days I got to leave the blasted state of Virginia. I waited for Poppins and Skippy and we crossed the line while having the dorkiest picture ever taken. We couln't have cared less. We completed the largest state of the trail today. Yippee!!!   We finished our beautifil day by 6:30 pm as we arrived at the shelter. Mad Hatter, Gator, Crash Bang, & Shepherd were there . Jaberwock and Yippee would arrive shortly. Though tired, I felt so blessed. I called home and arranged a ride with my sister to visit home tomorrow from Harper's Ferry. She gave me unbelievable tidings. A friend from Church, who I did not realize has been following my journals, slid $100.00 in her pocket and said "This is for your brother." I have not known how I will make it financially, but I have been determined to trust God. Today at least part of my prayer was answered. I cannot begin to describe my shock and gratitude. Now, with a full belly and tired eyes , I will join Yippee and Jaberwock (Yay fun!) to sleep on the porch. If the no-see-ums (horrid little bugs) do not eat me alive, I will hit 1,000 miles and visit home tomorrow. It all just seems surreal...kind of like my day. WOW! Goodnight, Beatbox ttt