Date: 2003-07-11
From: Harpers Ferry

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well, zero days are not always restful days...I've come to realize that. Gerri and I were talking about it the other day, and we decided that one of the most restful zeros we had was when we were at Big Meadows. There was no post office, library, grocery store or outfitter to go to, and we'd already done the laundry. All we could do was rest. That would be nice... I did get a good night's sleep last night, so I woke up feeling pretty refreshed. We went downstairs to have the breakfast buffet...all you can eat for only $5.95. There was all the usual fare, which I sampled, and there was also a fruit salad. Fresh fruit...total heaven!! I had lots! We finished eating and headed to the Appalachian Trail Conference headquarters. We went through the books of pictures of thru-hikers from this year. It was great to see who had passed through and when. I saw pics of Dutch, Ole Smokey Lonesome and Famous Shoes (he got ahead of me while we were holed up in Big Meadows) to nam!e a few. Randy got his picture taken and went to the post office. When we finished poring through the books, Gerri and I also went to the post office. I got my new boots and gaiters! I immediately put my boots on...they are so beautiful, and look so FABU with my town dress! I knew that's what I wanted to wear for my official picture. I grabbed all my stuff, with Gerri's help, and we headed back to the ATC. I got my picture taken...I am thru-hiker #673 (Randy is #672, and even though Gerri didn't get hers taken till today, the 12th, she is #674). I went through my food and weeded stuff out for the hiker box, and gave some things to Thunderfoot. Snot Rocket, Triple T, Iceberg Slim and Ruff & Tuff (and Jezebel!) were also there, but heading out soon. Snot Rocket has invited all thru-hikers to his place in Maine for a lobsterbake when we're done. I asked him if his mother knew, and he said she though it was great. I can't wait! I haven't had lobster in sooooo long!!   I left them there and went back to the motel to get things sorted out. I decided I needed to do one more trip before putting my pack back together, and went to the outfitter. I needed aquamira, nikwax for my boots and a new stuff sack for my food...a mouse chewed into the one I had. It was further than I wanted it to be, but it was a nice day for walking. Purchases made, I went by the Armory Pub to find Kelly and Nancy having lunch. I told them I'd probably see them later, as I still needed to get my act together. Back at the hotel, I did just that. I'm ending up sending some food home...seems counter-productive, but I needed to get the amount of food I had floating around under control. I can use that box in Maine...I didn't pack a box yet for the last bit. Met Randy coming back from 7-11 when I went to the post office. He had done their resupply there, as it was 6 miles to the Walmart. This town is not really set up for hikers...there isn't even a laundromat here! I mailed my package in the nick of time...they locked the door b!ehind me. Randy had gotten a beer for each of us, so we had them, then decided to go to the Armory for dinner. Gerri left after we ate, and Randy and I stayed till they closed. There were these two really cute girls there, Haley, who is three almost four and her sister, Natalie, who is ten. I was talking with them and their dad for awhile, then took their pics. When they were leaving, Haley gave me a hug and kiss goodbye...she was soooo sweet! We talked for some time with a guy at the bar who had lived in Island Falls, ME...he knew all my old stomping grounds. When the pub closed, we headed back to the hotel's bar (okay, perhaps not the best decision, seeing as we were hiking out tomorrow..but whoever said that I was good at making decisions?). There were a bunch of people (some frightening!) who were in town for a reunion. We had a great bartender, and had fun chatting with her till she closed up shop. We went up to the room and listened to music for awhile (a sh!ort while according to Gerri...she said we were both snoring very soon...oops!). That's my day!