Date: 2007-06-04
From: Jenkins Shelter 

To: Jenny Knob Shelter 
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: light rain

I started hiking early today, ahead of Slick, Snake Charmer, and Rider, but we all agreed that we would end up at Jenny Knob Shelter, a big 20+ mile day. Today was quite a magical day, as far as trail magic goes. When I arrived at a road (VA615), 5 miles into the hike, I saw a van parked at the side of the road. I was about to re-enter the woods when a women walked to the front of the van and asked me if I was interested in going to breakfast. This really took me by surprise, and I wasn't quite sure what to say at first. She then explained that she was a volunteer at a local church, that provided breakfast for hikers each Monday starting in April and ending on the first Monday of June (which was today). She had on a T-shirt with the word ATOM and the atomic symbol and some hiker figures. I was starting to wonder what kind of church this was and if I should accept this offer. As it turned out, ATOM was an acronym for Appalachian Trail Outreach Ministry, a ministry associated with he local Methodist Church.So I gladly went to breakfast. When we arrived at the church, a short distance from the trail, I saw backpacks outside and knew there were other hikers there. I was led to a small basement room in the church with a long table and took a seat at the end of the table. I was amazed at what happened next. About 5 women, all volunteers to this ministry, waited on me and set before me on the table a huge feast of every homemade breakfast delicacy you could think of. There was a fresh fruit salad, pancakes, egg omlet, blueberry cobler, sausage, grits, biscuits, coffee and juice, and much more! I gladly ate every bit of it. The mood was very friendly and the pastor sat at the table and played guitar, singing some Bob Dylan, Arlo Guthrie, and original songs of his own. He was very good. These folks were really nice and seemed genuinely happy to provide this service to hikers. They were in no way heavy handed about converting anyone, but simply offered each hiker a lightweight copy of the New Testament, which I gladly accepted. When we hikers had finished, they provided us a goody bag of treats and drove us back to the trail. The next batch of hikers were picked up and I happen to notice Slick, Snake Charmer, and Rider in this bunch. I thanked these ministry volunteers more than once, as I left the church and was dropped off at the trail head.It took a little while to get underway with such a full stomach, but as I got warmed up, the calories consumed really help fuel the afternoon hike. I walked the Virginia mountain ridgeline and enjoyed a steady cool breeze. Later in the afternoon, about 12 miles into todays hike, I stopped at the road that goes to Bland, VA. There was a small church with a gravel parking lot here and I stopped for a break. I pulled out most of my gear and laid it out in the sun to dry as I enjoyed the treats provided by the ATOM group. I was there for about an hour, just enjoying the break when an elderly man who lived nearby came over and greeted me. We talked about the trail and my hike and he talked about himself a bit, and then said he'd be back in a minute. When he returned, he offered me a turkey, cheese, and tomato sandwich and a can of soda. This really took me by surprise. I thanked him for this kind gesture. We shook hands and he went about his business for the day. I believe he said his name was Robert King. In a little while, Slick, Snake, and Rider caught up to me at he road, and we talked about the great trail magic recieved today. We finally got going after a while, and hiked for another 12 miles to Jenny Knob Shelter. It was dark, and a light rain was falling, so we were very lucky to all get a spot in the shelter. I was surprised to find Nuclear there, who I had not seen since Damascus.Today was a day that truly reinforced one of the prime benefits of thru hiking the AT. With all of the bad news we are constantly exposed to in the mainstream media, we tend to believe this is the way the nation and world are. We lose sight of the fact that there is really more good out there then we realize. Hiking this trail has shown me first hand that the good works and kind people do still prevail, regardless of what the media tells us.Good night all.