Date: 2016-05-13
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: US 60, Buena Vista, VA
Miles today: 11.3

It was not raining when I got up. I left camp at 7:15am and started hiking. My goal is to do 11 plus miles to US 60 and catch a ride to Buena Vista where I could get my phone at the post office and then a zero the next day to get my new phone going. I would be sharing a ride with Aurora and Conundrum. I was 25 minutes into my hike when I realized I was going the wrong way!! I hiked back and really started going quickly to catch up to everyone, they thought I was in front of them. I made good time but was a little upset that I could not spend more time enjoying the surroundings with lots of creeks and pretty flowers. I was on a mission to catch up. it was very wet and muddy on parts of the trail. The last 4 miles were mostly along a nice creek with some falls and cascades. Although overcast, it was very pretty. If I had more time I would have stopped and maybe gotten in one of the pools or just sat there by a fall and relaxed. I finally reached the road and they were all there still waiting for a ride. I got there in time, but was very tired because I had not stopped for a break. There were six of us but the driver could only take 3 at a time. Aurora, Conundrum and I went first and got dropped off at a BBQ place since we were all hungry. I had a good meal and officially bought Aurora's back pack from her. If you remember from an earlier posting I mailed my bag home and began using hers since she got a new one. It is 2 lbs lighter and a little smaller. It took a while to get used to it but it is fitting well now. Aurora's mom and sisters were coming into town to visit with them so I may not see them for a few days. I walked to the Post Office only to find out that my new phone was not there. I will have to check with Verizon. I went to the library after that to check on the hours they are open then to the washateria to wash my clothes. Once I got the clothes washing, I made my way to the campgrounds and checked in and set up my tent. It is about a mile walk to the washateria from the campsite which is nothing to me these days. By the time I got back to the washateria, Aurora and Conundrum had gotten picked up by their family before I got there. Sweet Potato, Juan Durer, and Oriole were washing also; they had already set up there tents. It was now time to call Verizon. You would never believe what I found out... they never sent the phone and they don't know why!! After about 30 minutes on the phone they said they would overnight it to me. It is very, very, frustrating dealing with Verizon. They seem to be very nice and helpful but it seems you have to be in the office with them to help them follow through. At least I don't have to wait until Monday. I went to Library and spent about 20 minutes online before they closed. I went back to the campground and took a shower and for the first time in 5 days put on clean dry clothes...wonderful! Oriole, Juan D and I went to a Mexican restaurant for dinner and had Margaritas. Dinner was very good and the Margaritas were even better. We walked back and sat around our tents talking. I got in my tent about 11pm and saw I had a text from Yvonne. Verizon did not ship my phone to Buena Vista Post Office like I instructed but to my home in Texas. So I am on the phone with Verizon again and this time I am not the nice calm El Tejano! It is unbelievable the continuing incompetence of such a big company like Verizon. After all the talking and checking, Verizon does not know how that happened. They can see the address it was supposed to go to but somehow it went somewhere else! I will not get my phone now until Monday! I need another Texas sized Margarita!!!!