Date: 2004-05-18
From: ?

To: Trent's Campground
Miles today: 16.3

Just a turn down day, nothing on my mind¢¦ah. Tonight I¢m at a campground after 17 miles, rather than the crazy plan I started with of 30 miles. Coyote, Salt Lick, myself, and a hiker I met today named Bluegrass are here. Pizza, Coke, and a few beers later it¢s time for bed in my muddy tent from Trail days¢¦I awoke this morning at 8:30 a.m. and hit the trail with Coyote. We walked briskly and talked about real life and ¢big questions¢. I told her about my degrees, financial insecurities, and lack of support (verbal) from home. She told me about working in Okefenoke Swamp in Georgia and how she ¢tries on¢ different activities. I related to her in this as I too have yet to ¢pick out an outfit¢. While we walked there were lady slippers to both sides. Coyote could not have cared less while I thought they were beautiful. She was, however, amused at the rabbit I spotted hopping the woods. Before too long I split to walk and pray alone. I was cruising when I went to purify water; my iodine is gone :-(. I bummed a pump and went on my way. I reached Jenny Knob Shelter at 11 a.m., 10.5 miles in 3 12 hours. Without intent I had covered 3 miles per hour. At the shelter I was still planning on miles. Then the rain came. Little Chicken, Mama Bird, Oxymoron, and MaineDish pushed on. I did not budge. Instead Coyote, Salt Lick, and I fooled around, joked, and drew things. The mores it rained the lazier I became¢¦30 miles, no 24, how about 17? Lunch was long and fun and at 3 p.m. we finally left. Salt Lick was silly and kept telling the same pointless Shaggy Dog joke¢¦UGH! Finally Coyote and I loudly changed topics to exotic foods and pushed on. The trail was rugged with few flowers until we neared water. Then we crossed an awesome hillside field where we saw a box turtle. As we descended further we saw the pure slime green of an algae-laden swamp to our right. By 5 p.m. we crossed the coolest wooden suspension bridge ever to reach the campsite road. As we hit the road the rain returned. We were fortunate to receive a hitch to the stores/campground quickly. Once there, we took cover. As I looked in my food bag I realized my alcohol had leaked and half of my food was in ruin (DOH!). Once in the store I replaced my food, bought 2 bottled (glass) cokes, and ordered a sausage, bacon, hot pepper pizza for no extra topping charge. As I waited I went outside where I saw the cutest cat. I had nasty sardines to throw away so I thought I¢d see if the cat wanted them. 12 seconds later I knew the answer was yet and I had a new little friend. The pizza was unbelievable and everyone knows how I love Coke. I¢m so crushed I didn¢t actually hike 30 miles :-) . When the rain let up I headed to camp with my little cat friend following. There I met a relaxed kid from Roanoke named Bluegrass. Coyote set up in the loft of a barn while the 3 of us remaining tented. . We did laundry and took showers. It was so nice. Now we¢re sitting here at a picnic table relaxing. I have no iodine, I ruined half of my food, and there is no toe on my left shoe because it is so open. In Pearisburg I have new shoes, more food, and I can buy chlorine. All of these are excellent reasons to do 24 in to town tomorrow. In addition I should even be able to catch Krispy Kritter and Beartracks if I am correct about things. So I think it is time for me to leave the table and call it a night so that I can get some rest. Goodnight,BEATBOX   ttt