Date: 2005-04-30
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Zero Day at Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Two stories for the day:When I got to town Old Yeller was here with his wife, Susan. When I got up today I had quite a few things I needed to get done. I needed to go to the post office to forward my bounce box. This is a box that has things you don't always need for that section of trail. You keep forwarding it from post office to post office, as you need things out of it you take them out or in some cases you may put something in it. I needed to get my glasses fixed, resupply with food, and eat breakfast. All of these would take a hitch in different directions.Just as I was going outside to start OY and Susan came out and asked if I needed a ride. I said yes to the post office and they said they would take me. We got to the PO and it was still closed. They said they were going to breakfast and I could go with them, stop number two.At breakfast we talked and I said I was going to try and get my glasses fixed at Wal-Mart, they said they were going to make a CD of pictures to send home. To Wal-Mart we went- stop number three. The Wal-Mart did not have an eye department, but I did get my food resupplied. They were going to an outfitter next. On the way they stopped back at the post office-- stop number four. I bounced my box to the next town I will be stopping in. I ended up going to the outfitters with them. At the outfitters they said the Wal-Mart down the road had an eye department. They took me there and I got my glasses fixed-- stop number five. We stopped after that and had lunch. On the way back OY said he needed a hair cut. We saw a barber shop and went in. We both got a hair cut, unplanned for me but much needed-- stop number six. After that we returned back to the hotel where I took a picture of them for my journal. It was trail magic for the day, getting everything done with very enjoyable company. Thanks again OY and Susan!!! The second story is related to something my grandmother Trudy told me one time as a youngster. I had found a penny and was very excited. She told me when you find a penny that they come from heaven and it means someone is thinking of you from above. At my age it didn't mean much, but the story always stuck with me because she was the one that told me. Once I got older and people I knew had died I always think of it when I find a penny.Going through the Smoky¢s, I was sitting at the camp fire talking and kicked the dirt and saw what looked like a penny. I picked it up and sure enough it was. I knew that my family members and friends that are no longer with us were watching my hike.That wasn¢t the only time I found an out-of-place penny. I was walking across a big bald on a windy, rainy day, coming out of Hot Springs and stopped to take care of ¢business.¢ I looked down and saw an old penny half buried in the path on the trail.Another time walking down the road from Kincora Hostel There were 3 pennies sitting on the road. I could just hear my dad say to my mom, ¢Do you think he'll be alright?¢ Mom would be saying back, ¢I¢m sure he will be. He's almost 60.¢ I always stop and think of loved ones, and friends when I find a penny. It¢s nice to remember.