Date: 2004-06-02
From: Mill Creek, Paul C. Wolfe Shelter

To: Rockfish Gap, Waynesboro, VA - Quality Inn
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: few clouds

We had some big wind last night. Woke some of us up, thinking it was hail. It was nuts and little branches falling from the trees. I knew it was a short day to Rockfish Gap so I slept in until six.It was only five miles to the gap. The handbook said we passed an old cemetery and ruins of an old cabin. I never found the cemetery, but I did find the cabin ruins. Interesting to realize that someone many years ago probably cleared that area to farm.I got to the Visitor Center just as they opened. The long legged boys were sitting outside waiting for them to open. They appear to have a nice service there, a list of people they call to pick up hikers going into town. Really a great service. It looks like I'm trading Zippy and the gang for Adam and TreeFrog as my walking partners. Their style is more to my liking. Get up early, walk. Getting into town is about finding a nice place to sleep and eat. We got to the Quality Inn before ten. The continental breakfast was still open. Adam and I headed straight there and started oinking out. Sausage biscuits, English muffins, cold cereal, fruit juices, coffee, tea and hot cocoa. The lady who stocks the bar said she couldn't toss out hungry people. We finally got to our room. Nice queen size beds. Shower good and hot. Next, the post office. The guys went to the outfitters and I took the laundry. I passed a thrift shop and found a pair of size small nylon shorts for a dollar. When I got back, they guys were still gone. Took a nap until they got back. Then the phone rang. Fire Marshall got in and heard I was here and he called. We invited him to join us for supper after he cleaned up. We went to one of those hot food buffet with steaks. We all ate like we were starving. It was a treat to see Fire Marshall. I hadn't seen him in a few weeks. I thought he was ahead of me. He'll be zeroing a couple days to recover from two twenty plus mile days. During supper, we sat and shared what news we knew about the people we all knew. It's hard for me to believe that I'm ahead of Fire Marshall, but he had a visit from his mom, so he took a few days off. A good son. His mom is from the Roanoke area. The walk back, we passed a grocery store. We went in to supplement our food drops. I was feeling kinky and bought a pair of cheesy earrings for the walk through the Shenandoah. Fire Marshall thought it was funny. Adam told me Riva Queen would be jealous. Yeah, right. Back at the room, ht phone calls started. I think it amusing to realize that those of us without cell phones on the trail cram as many phone calls as we can. I think the phone line was tied up for hours. Adam has friends and relatives al along the trail. TreeFrog is attempting a rendezvous, as I am with Paul. Finally got in touch with one of my girlfriends, Helen. She gave me motivation to stay on the trail; it was one hundred degrees at home. I think I'll quit whining about 65 degree mornings.   The plan for the morning is a late start. The guys want to get a haircut before heading in. I think I¢ll sleep in since the continental breakfast doesn't open until 630. Bonus today: actually seeing a sunset on the horizon. Something we don't see a lot of since most shelters and campsites are normally located deep in the woods. It is an interesting item to realize. Tiny wisps of clouds turning pink and purple. It made me feel a little better about being here.Namaste'