Date: 2010-10-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 383.0

Hi there. Im in Glascow Virginia, about 80 miles South of Waynesboro. I've actually updated since then, but the updates are on my IPhone and I can't upload them because I dont have a signal here. I wasn't originally planning on coming here, but was going to make a straight shot for Daleville which would have been 135 miles. However, my Iphone had died and I was running short on food after giving Geo some when he ran out.Had a nice couple of days out of Waynesboro, and certainly had a nice day in Waynesboro! Larry from Larrys barber shop cut my hair and trimmed my beard real nice. Although the prices listed are 12 dollars for a haircut and 5 for a beard trim, he only charged me 12. I tipped him well of course, and it was a very pleasant conversation while sitting in his chair. He had a really deep southern draw, like the really old fashioned kind that hasn't been affected by culture or TV perhaps. He reminded me of a General in a Civil War movie like "Gettysburg". He mentioned Harpers Ferry no less than 5 times and told me ought to come back and visit the area no less than 10. I saw him at the gas station the next morning where we shared a hand shake and sipped some coffee together.I really like Virgina. It is one section of trail that i'm familiar with having sectioned hiked here 5 years ago. I'm a history buff of sorts. I've read most of the famous books on the Civil War, and when I had cable I spent a good amount of time watching the History Channel. In fact, thats about all I watched. That and "Sunrise Earth". Just love me a peaceful sunrise. Anyway, hiking thorugh the Shenendoah and Blue Ridge just makes me imagine what it must have been like in the 1860's. Stonewall Jackson manuevering his army through the mountains, always staying one step ahead of the Union Army. In the Shenendoah there were alot of tourist. Thousands and thousands, including alot of foreigners. We were quite popular, and several times were asked to pose for pictures. At the Big Meadows lodge, an author named Jeff Alt who wrote the book "A walk for sunshine" about the AT, had given a presentation the night before we got there. When the guests recognized us as the "bearded skinny thru hikers" he had talked about, we became a hot commodity. We spent alot of time talking to people who were fascinated with our journey.The first two days out of Waynesboro were quite pleasant, save for one encounter you will read about when I can upload it from my I phone. The last two days werent as great. Yesterday it started raining. It seems that our moods often times correlate directly with the weather. Rain never makes of r a good hiking day. At first it was a light drizzle, and was welcomed as it cooled me off on a tough 2300 foot climb. However, the light rain turned into a downpour. It was already cold and dreary, and than clouds opened up their fury. For a while I was just miserable. Now I was already pretty bummed out. My Iphone was dead having stayed up until 1:30 the other morning trying to get updates on the Phillies who lost. One thing I look forward to is getting E-mails, trail journal guest entries, and the occassional call to Aubrey. Aubrey is in Spain with her family visiting her sister who is studying abroad, so no Aubrey for 10 days, and no E-mails since my phone was dead. Sometimes the trail can be like the swamp of sadness from the movie "Never Ending Story". Sometimes I feel like the horse Artex getting sucked in as Atreyu pleads for him to be happy. It can suck the life out of it if you let it. When the trail throws its worst at you....you have to decide how to deal with it. After ten minutes of being soaked and cold, I could do nothing else but laugh. I just looked at the sky and said "Really"? What can you do? Nothing. There are things that you just can't control, and weather is one of them. You have to adapt and improvise to situations and conditions. You have to have a mental attitude capable of rising above the mountains you are climbing. You just laugh......"really"? So I didn't stop at the shelter that was halfway to the one I intended on going to. No sir, my butt just kept on walking. You wanna stop me? Well your going to have to start raining atomic bombs than. On the days I wish to walk the least, I tend to walk the most. When you just don't feel like you have it anymore, you take that feeling and beat it to death. Yesterday I killed it with a pair of Merrels and a set of trekking poles. Even living a dream aint always peachy.