Date: 2005-08-30
From: An unknown Mtn. Nook

To: Linda & Randys back yard Cabin
Miles today: 10.3

Yes, as usual, the 20 mile push did not happen. Instead we walked about 10 miles thru dark grey and angry clouds in high elevation. It poured on us for the majority of the day. A few days ago a woman named Linda picked us up while we were hitching into town. She told us that when we crossed the White River Bridge (located in West Hartford)that her house was to the left. Look for a blue house she said. I forgot all about this of course, the second I got out of the car. Ms. Mileage has an uncanny nack of finding ways to get off the trail and she remembered very well.      As we crossed the bridge we saw the house right away. Mileage knocked on the door but nobody was home. We investigated around the side of the house and saw a major bonfire going. Burn would have loved it. Randy, Lindas husband welcomed us and handed us both a beer. You could say that those were the first of many to come. Randy took us behind the house and showed us the guest cabin and asked us if we wanted to stay. The rain was beating down on us so the answer was pretty obvious. After we put down our packs in the cabin we joined Randy and his work partner, Chris. Like I said there was a big time bonfire going and it was about to get much, much bigger. Randy wanted to get rid of some stuff taking up space in his garage. Chris and I helped him haul out a huge entertainment center complete with a broken record player in it. That thing went up fast and put out some explosive heat. In fact we all had to get back about 30 feet because it was so intense. Randy told us stories about his military years and continued giving us beers. ALL DAY. Randy and Chris then left to run some "errands", so Mileage and I went into the house and watched some movies with Linda. The Inlaws, Ladder 49, and 13 going on 30. Randy returned a few hours later and made Mileage and I an unexpected and wonderful trout dinner. What amazing hospitality, thank you so much Randy and Linda!      This journal is supposed to be about our AT hike experience. When you hike this trail you learn that the walking thru small towns and meeting people becomes a very large percentage of your hike. A trail saying that I have heard many a time is, "The hiking is always getting in the way of my AT experience". I wouldn't go that far but I have always thought that is really funny.      The rain is going to be bad tomorrow (2 inches of rain predicted) but we will be leaving. Mileage was a little discouraged today by the deep mud and rotten weather. Sometimes we feel like just doing less miles but that always will effect our finish date. Having a finish date is good, but can also put undue stress on an experience that is not about dates and scheduals. Our plans have not changed but no more promises on a finish date. We will finish naturally, and will not push it just to get done. Good luck to all our friends up ahead who will be summiting soom. We also miss our buddies who fell off the trail prematurly.I have been thinking alot about my very good friend Will Nolan and his family. They live on the 3rd or 4th floor of an old brick building, in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Although everything is relative, I have no right to bitch about the rainy weather. I hope my friends and the rest of the city can get thru this mess. I only get reception up in higher elevations but it seems very serious. We will be thinking a lot of all our southern brothers and sisters.                                       PIKER