Date: 2015-11-18
From: Atkins, Virginia 

To: Atkins, Virginia 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light intensity drizzle

Watching the news is unsettling to me now. Since I've gotten into town I keep hearing of violence, terror and severe weather warnings. Trail life has kept me immune from world events and disasters to a certain extent, and media events are a shock to my system sometimes. I don't know if this is good or bad.The forecast calls for heavy rain tonight and early morning. It is overcast, cold and drizzling this morning as I head over to The Barn to have breakfast before getting on the trail. After a text message from my friend Norma in Florida that bad weather is headed my way and to take cover I decide that if Mover wants to stay another night and split the room I will.  He thinks it's a good idea , so I am contributing to the local economy another day. The heavy rains will be bringing in another cold front. I don't know why I am so surprised by this news except that in my world a cold front is 60 degrees, not low twenties. Thanks to advice from someone reading my journal, I made some phone calls today and am getting some replacement gear in Damascus. The rain protection is peeling off my Marmot rain pants and no longer keeps me dry which is not a good situation in this cold.  Someone from Marmot explained to me that I need to put them in the dryer to keep the rain sealant bound to the fabric, which I have not been doing thinking air drying would extend the life. Quite the opposite. Even though I did not follow the directions printed on the tag he asked me to give him an address in the next town I would be in and he would Fed Ex me a new pair at no charge.  All I had to do was email him a picture of the pants, and he even filled out the online form with me over the phone. My Black Diamond headlamp turns off after a couple minutes, and I have to keep turning it back on which is no fun. I was planning on buying a new one in Damascus but called the manufacturer today without expecting anything, and they are sending me a new one right away. No forms or receipts or begging needed. I will be a customer of these brands for life. Merrell is also sending me replacement boots but will only send to a post office and I had to know where I will be in nine days despite my explaining I don't know where I will be in 4-5 days. The only way they would send to a physical address is with a 4-8 week time frame. One of the soles started coming off in two days of wear. While on my hike I have also had my backpack replaced by Osprey, trail runners replaced by Salomon and socks by Darn Tough Socks. Prior to my hike Leki sent me new pole sections and MSR sent me a new Hubba tent fly. All of this has been at no charge and is part of these manufacturers warranties and superior guarantees. They all have stellar reputations and have stood behind their products. It has been worth all the extra money I paid for this top of line gear.After all this work I was hungry again so I walked backed to The Barn and ordered a plate of center cut pork chops, fried okra and fried squash and corn bread. While I was waiting for my food I called the hostel in Damascus that I made arrangements to stay with over Thanksgiving to let him know I have several packages coming. When I got off the phone three hikers who were sitting a couple booths away from me turned around and asked if I was Lil Mermaid. They had been reading my entries in the shelter logs for some time and called me the undercover hiker. So glad I got to meet Gonzo, Huckleberry and Buddha who look to be about the age of my children. It was great swapping stories with them, and they radiated with positive energy and enthusiasm which was contagious.  Today I also saw Shepard and Cheese Burglar who are staying at The Relax Inn too. I last saw Shepard at Mahoosuc Notch in Maine and met Cheese Burglar somewhere in Massachusetts. It's so nice to see familiar faces.I was still hungry after my meal so an hour later I walked to the Mexican place and had a burrito with beans and rice. I bought a big bag of nacho flavored doritoes and chocolate covered pretzels for later. It has been a busy day in Atkins. Ready to get back on the trail in the morning.