Date: 2018-07-11
From: Paul C Wolf Shelter

To: Rockfish Gap
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: scattered clouds

We all had nearly zero minutes of sleep last night. It was a long night. My feet were literally throbbing. Before the sun came up Hugs said let¢s just pack up and go. Big Kahuna thought we should wait until first light, so we did.  By 7am we were out of camp and on our way to Rockfish Gap. Nobody really felt good mostly from lack of sleep. I took the lead early on, though we stayed close together. To my right was a sign for Lowe Family Cemetery. At first I walked right past it until Hugs pointed out the sign. The headstones were literally mountain rock. There was one modern-ish grave marker from 2016. It was really just a tiny little sign, but could clearly be read. The other stones have all faded and worn down so much they¢re impossible to read. About a mile past the cemetery was a little area called the home place. It was another one of those free standing fireplaces with a rock ring around it. I¢ve seen 4 or 5 of those now. I need to research why they are there. No unusual wildlife today except maybe the tiniest toad I¢ve ever seen. I had my usual chirps and tweets on the radio. It remains my favorite station. The squirrels are usually active at sun-up and today was no exception. Mountain squirrels are definitely the fattest squirrels I¢ve ever seen. That¢s saying something coming from Illinois.  We called Trail Angel Ann who picked us up, and now we are at Stanimals Hostel in Waynesboro. The last Stanimals was good, but this one is even better!  My stay here at Stanimals was a birthday gift to me from Big Kahuna. He got a private room with its own bathroom. That¢s a big deal at a hostel! Best yet it has one of those deep old fashioned bathtubs. Hugs gave me a new loofa, a bath bomb, and a pumice for my feet. I had the most luxurious bath ever!  We took a shuttle to an all you can eat Chinese Buffet. I¢ve been wanting sushi and it was delicious!  I left there fat and happy! After eating we decided to run to Walmart for a re-supply. I didn¢t need much. Papa Big Swig¢s package had already arrived here at Stanimals leaving me with very little to get.  First I needed a new eating utensil. My brand new one broke last night. The plastic ones are just too cheaply made. I decided that I was getting a metal one but no such luck. They only had plastic. Here We¢ll see how long I keep this one. Secondly I needed new water bottles. Hikers use Smart Water bottles. They are the most light weight, come in liter sizes with a sip spout. I went to the water aisle and couldn¢t believe there were no Smart Waters. In a hiking town!?! Ok so I grabbed a Coke Zero a banana and some chips. I checked out and went to the shuttle. Hugs came out shortly behind me and I complained about the lack of Smart Water. She said she bought some. It¢s located near the alcohol. What!?! I ran back in real quick. Past the aisle labeled water to the alcohol section. Yep, there it was. Whoever thought of that shelving plan needs a stern talking to! In Paducah Kentucky, Walmart keeps crackers by the fish. Real live gills moving, swimming in a tank fish! There¢s another employee who needs a talking to! Oh well, I have new water bottles now. Grabbed some corn chips and bean dip. Checked out again.  I very much dislike Walmart!  In honor of my birthday tomorrow, and to rest our bodies we will be a taking a zero.  Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018)Where¢s your faith?