Date: 2013-04-20
From: Hot Springs/Capt. Dan's cabin

To: Man Cave
Miles today: 0.0

The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time. Bertrand Russell      Here I go again, falling into a new and wonderful alternate universe. How many will I end up in on this walk north? This one was the ultimate man cave.          Now, I've mentioned that hiking as the only woman with five guys for several weeks has resulted in less than stimulating conversation for me. I  But, I have picked up some useful truck facts. The cabin experience was a quantum leap into male living at its finest.   Ford 250 diesel with 6.7 something engine? Check. Backhoe? Check.   Polaris runabout equipped to conquer any hill? Check. Harley, travel trailer, huge screen TV, Texas long horns on the wall? Check, check, check.   Oh my, I have been missing out on the fun quotient in my female life.       Due to Capt. Dan's generosity, we could relax and enjoy a glimpse of the network of his friends who are following his journey and cheering him on. It was wonderful in every way.    We made trips to two outfitters, hit the grocery and had a zero day like no other. Jolly had purchased a new pack in Hot Springs yesterday and gave his old one to Alfalfa. He and Capt. Dan got new shoes at a nearby REI, CDan picked up a new, lighter weight stove, Jolly got pants to replace some torn ones and I did my part with a new water filter purchase.    Capt. Dan's girlfriend surprised him by driving down from NY. We got food for dinner on the deck and his friends and neighbors stopped in with more. Wow, I feel so lucky to be in the glow of all this. His friends all wished us well and asked about our adventures. His neighbor made the best spaghetti sauce EVER, and introduced me to fried M & Ms.       When you are far away from your own family, to be near the bonds of such close friendships is a treat indeed. Capt. Dan is a special person and it is so clear that those who know him best will make sure he has whatever support it takes to make his dream of thru hiking come true. His universe is taking care of him in spades, just as he has done for it.       Amazingly wonderful, all of this. Who knew hiking would offer these opportunities to refresh my spirit by providing a window into the lives of others? It is so affirming. I am grateful beyond words to be part of this.    Tomorrow will bring changes. Tank and I will return to the trail in Hot Springs. Capt. Dan, Jolly, Camel and Alfalfa will take another zero here.      I've hiked with Jolly from day one--exactly a month ago today. Our group has laughed ourselves silly over so many miles (yep, it's just around the corner, right over that hill and even the downs are up, yep, uh huh). I will miss the special give and take between Camel and his son, Alfalfa. Jolly is always fixing my phone and my spirits with his wicked British wit. We walked to Springer together! And Capt. Dan just makes me giggle all day long.   I hope we will all be able to hike just one more day always--and of course we will be together in spirit as we head north. It's all good but hard, too, when you know you will miss your friends. They are the best and bring joy to my days out here on the AT. sighTie Dye.