Date: 2008-04-30
From: Va. 683, US. 11, I-81

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: clear sky

Day 48 -- When we got up we packed right away, not knowing when we were getting a ride back to the trail. Granny and her husband came by and dropped us off at the Barn Restaurant for breakfast. I got the 2x4 (2 eggs, 2 bacon, 2 sausage, and 2 french toast--comes with hash browns and toast!! I was very very full when I was finished--it took extra effort to latch my hip belt.Breakfast at the Barn RestaurantWe started the morning by going through some fields, but after we climbed over the first side mountain of the day I lost Wing-It!. I just couldn't keep up. My body just would not go faster and I wasn't feeling motivated to push any harder. A few miles in I found everyone from last night (minus Mule because he got a job for a few hours)stopped at Davis Path Shelter. They were all abuzz becaue there was a pack left in the shelter for a few days which is slightly suspicious. Everyone was investigating trying to figure out what happened. Some went searching the woods for the person, some searched the bag for clues of its owner, and one ended up calling the police to alert them. The main concern is that the owner is still out in the woods hurt or something. After the phone call we moved on. My pace did not improve but Wing-It! and Stripe would wait for me every once in a while, usually after an ascent. One time they were waiting by a tent that was on the trail- they seemed to think it may belong to the deserted pack owner.Wing-It! climbing over a stile - Rural Retreat, VAAgain I couldn't keep up and was very frustrated by this and stopped. I hear leaves rustling to my left and I see a small animal approaching. I quickly grab my camera and when it gets close enough into view I took the picture and then it noticed me and froze, and I took a step back. It seemed scared and moved behind a tree, so I decided to slowly move up the trail, keeping an eye on the animal. It worked its way up the tree and I moved on. I showed the pictures to Wing-It! and Stripe and it turns out it was a racoon. I'd never seen one in real life before until today.I am not really sure what it is actually (raccoon).After descending a mountain I came across Stripe and Wing-It! at a campsite and had lunch there. We had a good climb post lunch and I spent most of it crying (for the second time today). For me it seems crying comes easier once I've already started. Anyway, there wasn't really anything big that started it. I can't really tell you why. I do bottle up my feelings a lot...and I think a good cry is important every once in a while. Its cleansing. Afterwards, still by myself on a gorgeous day, I sang lots of church songs and cried some more, the words really sinking in, feeling God's love and grace and the awesomeness of God's creations. I enjoyed a blue bird in the rhododendron and larger birds flying above. When I got to the top of the climb I came to Stripe and Wing-It! resting and we descended together and traversed some fields and tons of stiles.Stripe and Wing-It! in front of a river - don't know which one it is.We stopped for a "pack off break" by a river and then moved on. We got to the bottom of our last climb and started up. I ended up by myself again and cried and sang up most of it. Both yesterday and today I just wasn't into going much faster than a meander. I dunno, maybe I pushed myself too much on that rainy day with the 19 miles. I dunno--but I hope I find my energy tomorrow for a long day. Anyway, I got to the shelter last (other than Mule and Crush coming in later and moving to join Freestyle) and before the sunset. I had a good conversation with Stripe about my day and feelings while getting water and enjoyed talking to Wrongway during dinner. I feel very lucky (and have felt this way for a few days, too) to be around such a great group of people. Well, I'm emotionally drained, good night.Stick bit me! "We grow great by dreams. All big men are dreamers. They see things in the soft haze of a spring day or in the red fire of a long winter's evening. Some of us let these great dreams die, but others nourish and protect them; nurse them through bad days till they bring them to the sunshine and light which comes always to those who sincerely hope that their dreams will come true." -Woodrow Wilson?