Date: 2003-05-23
From: Atkins, VA

To: 1/2 mile past VA 610
Miles today: 10.0

Boy, could I sleep in today. At 8 am, I went down for the complimentary breakfast. I also wanted to socialize with the new hikers I met yesterday. They are all heading out at 10 to hike while I have major town chores to do. I have to completely re-supply. Not just food. I also need toilet paper, a lighter, fuel for my stove, and a disposable camera. I spent the morning going over my gear and reorganizing my pack. I headed off to Wal-Mart for supplies and food. I had to hitch since it was over 4 miles. I always hate to hitch. I feel like I'm being rejected as every car passes. I saw a used car dealership and thought about taking a test drive to Wal-Mart, but just then I got picked up. The guy dropped me off right at the door. I have been trying to buy lighter food, so no fresh veggies and fruit on this trip. I really don't plan what I get; I just buy what I think I can carry. I did get some special treats such as apple fritters, diced apples, tortillas, and plenty of candy bars. I also got alcohol for my stove and olive oil to fatten me up. Afterwards, I stopped at McDonalds for a deep fried feast. I probably shouldn't eat there, but I can't resist. Several nice people started conversations with me after seeing my pack. I could tell hitching out of here was going to be tough. It is lunch time and no one has extra time then. Plus, there was no place to pull over. I didn't even bother until I got out of town. Pretty soon some guy in a pick-up turned around and was glad to take me to the trail. I have perfected walking backwards when I hitchhike. Almost every ride I've gotten has been men in trucks. I will be soon writing ¢The Hitchhikers Guide to The Appalachian Trail¢, so stay tuned. I saw many hikers when I got dropped off. I asked about Twigs and Nuts and found out they were at the motel. They are staying with M.G. I talked to them for about an hour until I finally had to get going. If I stayed any longer, I would have wound up taking a zero. At 2:30, I hit the trail. I saw Krazy K right in front of me and we met up at the first shelter. It was only 3 miles in, and it would be pointless to stop that soon. My food bag is as heavy as ever. I think I have to eat extra food just to have the energy to carry so much food. I may start to not carry any food at all. If I didn't have food, I wouldn't need a stove, pots, my tooth brush, tooth paste, fuel, and toilet paper. All I would need is a pair of boxers and my hammock. Okay, that probably won't work for too long, but I must do something about the heavy food bag. Maybe I should plan to re-supply more frequently. I wound up running out of water and I had to go 1/2 mile down a very steep hill to a stream.   Thunderstorms decided to join me this evening. I went shirtless since my raingear is too hot. I hiked until dark because I got such a late start. I got set up just in time for the rain to really start coming down. There are a lot of insects enjoying the safety between my bug screen and rain fly. I had two double cheeseburgers from McDonald's for dinner and a dark chocolate peanut butter cup. I had a tough time hanging my food bag because it kept breaking the tree limbs. I'm hoping it will be there in the morning. Better get some rest; I need big days this week again.   Peace,Dutch