Date: 2017-06-26
From: Shamrock Inn, Dalton, MA

To: Martinsburg, WV
Miles today: 0.0

6/26/17, Knights Inn, Martinsburg, WVMiles hiked: 1250.8, Miles to go: 929.0An opportunity presented itself to allow me to make a quick trip to TN, so I am off trail for a few days. Squire, Remix, and Stretch are heading to Johnson City, TN, because Squire's grandfather, who has been sick for an extended period, has been placed in hospice care. They graciously offered to give me a ride to Johnson City, where I will make arrangements to get to Knoxville. I think a few days off the trail will allow my feet to finish healing and allow me to see Marguerite and the dogs, which will help recharge my batteries. I also want to make a few equipment changes while I'm home. It will also solve another dilemma that was looming. 1st Sgt's wife is coming to visit her family in upstate NY for eight days. 1st Sgt has been planning to take some days off to spend time with her, which would have put me a few days ahead of him. We want to go through the Whites and the 100 Mile Wilderness and, ultimately, summit Katahdin together. This way, he can hike ahead a few days and, when I come back, I can catch up while he visits his wife. Sitting Bull, Hoops, Ramsey, and Hummingbird (who finally caught up) are on their way to Boston for a few days. Shenaniguy, Pluck, and Silly Spilly are taking a couple zero days. And Good Life is almost in CT. Hopefully, Squire and the boys are back on trail soon. I suspect we are all going to meet up some where in northern VT. It's cool how everything works out on the trail. Of course, Darwin & Company, and my good friend Lumber Jill, continue heading north, pretty much assuring that we won't see them again. I've asked her to send me a Katahdin Summit picture. In another example of "the trail provides", I was supposed to visit the sister of a high school friend on Wednesday when I crossed into VT. I called her and told her of my change in plans and wanted to know if I could stop by next week instead. It turns out that my high school friend, Linda, will be visiting her sister next week. In the end, they are going to pick me up at the Albany airport on Monday, put me up for the night, and return me to the trail. Boom!Laura, the owner of the Shamrock Inn, was kind enough to drive us to the Enterprise Rent a Car office, where we picked up a car and headed south. We had an enjoyable drive, comparing notes on people we've met on the trail, hostels we've stayed in, and parts of the trail we've found most challenging.Squire has been living abroad with his family on various military assignments the past several years. He recently retired and is using this opportunity to show his boys what America looks like. Squire is the kind of upstanding, competent person you want in charge of the military. His boys are the great kind of kids we all want our children to be. Speaking of kids, we drove for about six hours and ironically got a room for the night in a motel in Martinsburg, WV, across the street from my son, Sam's, apartment. Unfortunately, he is working a shift on the ambulance tonight and won't be off work until 7:00 AM. We have to be on the road no later than 8:00 AM so I can catch the 2:25 pm bus to Knoxville. We might be able to wave at him as we get on the road...I'm excited to go home for a few days. I think that returning to the trail with a goal to catch up with 1st Sgt will take care of the mundanity I've been experiencing on the trail the past few days. Meanwhile, I'm getting a chance to make new trail friends in Squire, Stretch, and Remix. And, as an added bonus, I get to ride on I-81 yet again!