Date: 2006-07-03
To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 390.0
Weather: broken clouds

When I talked to my dad on the phone yesterday he was quite distraught that it had been so long since I posted on trail journals (this is the first time I've touched a computer in over 2 weeks!), he was worried I'd start losing my followers... so I'll try to make up in length what I've lacked in frequency :-)One of the most beautiful places we've been since leaving Damascus was the Virginia Highlands. Unfortunately the limited visibility didn't allow for many great views, but the Rhodedronons were in full bloom as far as the eye could see! As Whisp sat like buddha on a high rock outcropping, Fire and Ice froliced with the wild ponies... Ice was trying to stalk the young colts and always managed to get quite close before the mothers shooed them off to safety. Apparently ponies exist to procreate because in addition to the young ones there were 4 or 5 who looked like they were about ready to pop, sound like a familiar feeling Tree? Meanwhile a haggered old stag became quite attached to Fire, following her around and nipping at her... I'm sure you can imagine that scene :-)So for those of you who are worried about us missing out on the creature comforts of life, don't despair! They're really improving the quality of the shelters along the trail. We stopped at Partnership Shelter for lunch one day and ordered pizza and took showers (only b/c the shelter in 100 yds from a visitors center and road)! Too bad the pilot on the water heater was out = cold showers (but no colder than most of the creeks we've been washing by).Speaking of creeks! Seems like the majority of our detours involve going to soak/swim in any stream or waterfall big enough for the job. Waterfalls are definitely the best, particularly when Ice decided to pose with the water splashing around her like she was in a Victoria Secret's catalog... guess that might make a good ad campaign for Under Armour spandex and sports bras! Of course when Fire climbed up to stand by the waterfall that's when the old men showed up and started doing belly flops into the pond below.Water is greatly cherished by all hikers... in all forms except for when it's falling from the sky!   Prior to getting to Troutville we had gone over 250 miles without a real shower... yes Julia, Alyssa and all the rest of you, you don't want to know how long that is in days! Ironic that right after we did get showers we had about 3 days of being soaking wet, not much fun to hike in the rain with wet feet all day. On the third day the sun finally came out and we took over half a parking lot off the Blue Ridge Parkway to dry out EVERYTHING we had. All things considered we've had pretty good weather and the rain has made finding drinking water much easier!There's an expression thru hikers use that goes something like this... I Yogi'd (insert food item) from these day hikers. Nothing really beats getting food that you didn't have to carry! One night we rolled into a shelter and Greg, Berry, and Elizabeth had a whole extra package of hot dogs complete with ketchup for us to add to our meal (Ice abstained of course). On one our real long days (24 miles) we found a 4 person serving of freeze dried Grandma's Chicken Stew where we stopped for lunch... the package was sealed, so we whipped it up and ate it along with our normal lunch :-) The list goes on and on, people have just been so great to us out here! Bill was just one volunteer who made our day the other day by being on call to shuttle people from the trail into town (a 4 mile ride in a car is priceless after you've just walked 21 miles already that day).   Whisp's Grandparents were awesome too taking us out to dinner andbreakfast and driving us to the PO to pick up our packages. We got to Troutville just as his Granddad was coming across the road to look for us (we weren't expecting him), Whisp says to us nonchalantly "That's my Granddad" looking at the man on the median... we thought he was joking!Definitely still feeling very loved! Thanks for the guest book entries everyone. We were hooked up in Troutville by all the usual suspects and enjoyed our goodies over the 7 days it took us to make it up here! I have learned that Mrs. Madison, Whisp's mom is a superb cook! :-) The Moore Family definitely has the most organized/systematic care package system, no doubt due to the oversight of one of Cianbro's finest! Don't worry Moo I will not be burning that picture.Speaking of pictures, not a lot made me happier than coming into town and getting to a computer so I could check out the pictures of the Dagan kids. Wish I could be there to hold Patrick Oliver! Just have Evy give him a big kiss for me. Funny how he was born on June 21st, the Summer Solstice! Hikers all over the world were celebrating his birth :-PSo everyone told us Virginia is so easy, you'll be fine blah blah blah... well we're managing but let me tell you I don't think any part of the AT is EASY! If the Virginia Blues don't get to you the heat will! Accordingly I wrote a poem that we wrote in a register (kinda like a guestbook that thru hikers write entries in at each shelter).There once was a girl named VirginiaNow listen careful as I begin yaAll the boys used to laugh and call he namesThey said she was easy and flat and all other shamesBut then one day Virginia grew humps!In fact they were quite big, big ol bumpsNow all the boys did frown for easy she was notAs they soon found out she was actually damn HOT!Of course when we wrote this in a register Ice include some sketches, one showing the dull adolescent Virginia and one a full figured woman!Having a great time! Got a few more weeks in VA, then it's just a bit until the half gallon challenge to celebrate being halfway to Maine! Thanks again everyone for all your love and encouragement, really gives a lift you can't even imagine!