Date: 2004-05-22
From: Campbell Shelter

To: US 220-Daleville, VA - Econolodge
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: clear sky

Woke up last night to someone yelling outside of the shelter. I had a moment of panic, we're going to be killed! Then "is there room for three more in the shelter?" Three weekend hikers had got to the shelter around eleven p.m. The three of us there moved over and we were six. In the morning I let the one who woke up with the early risers know that I thought they were rude to yell and wake up everyone last night. And that if you bring a cell phone, at least turn it off so it doesn't beep on roam all night. I wanted to get to Daleville for the laundry with Riva and the gang, and say my goodbyes to those getting off the trail, so off I went, 630a.m.,for a 16 miler. Tinker Cliff. After the usual wandering through the woods, the cliffs. I could see McAfee Knob. I am constantly amazed when I can see how far we've walked in three dimensional reliefs.The last 10 miles got really boring. I had to stay at attention even as I thought about this being the anniversary of Dad's passing. The trail does a saw tooth up and down, crawl and slide over rock piles. The temperature already in the nineties. Humidity getting higher and higher. Not a lot of breeze. I found myself taking more breaks. Careful with water. The last ten miles has no water and it's hot. When I got to the last water source before the ten miles, I cameled up (drink as much as you can cram down) with a liter and filled my two liter bag.   I must have watered a tree every half mile for the first four miles. The blueberry bushes are full of pre-blueberry globes. I can't wait until they are ready for picking. Passed slanting rocks jutting up from the ground. I don't mean little rocks. Hugh, house size rocks. Scramble over some, scramble around some, crawl through cracks, sweating.   I've gone back to wearing long sleeves so the sweat pouring from my arm pits don't drip off my elbows. The bandana around my forehead keeps my head dry but the sweat from below the bandana drips off my chin. Every time I do a pack off break and put it back on, the stink in the pack padding knocks me over. This is how I smell to town folks, I know. Made it to Daleville by four. At the motel, the people in the lobby moved away from me. I found the room Riva got for the girls. First thing, shower and reasonable clean clothes. Sanguine and I ran to the outfitters in town. I replaced my water filter cartridge and bought a pair of sandal socks. I've worn out another pair. Back to the motel where everyone has bought snacks and beer. We've gathered in the girl's room. Zippy keeps yelling at me to quit scratching. I look like I have the measles, no-see um¢s having eaten me alive. DEET doesn't seem to deter them. I scratch like a dog with mange. Sanguine will get to hike with us for another four or five days. PeterPan is getting off because he's suddenly got blood in his urine. I got topical benadryl in hopes of not scratching myself raw. Laundry. At least the clothes I walk in. I download my journal and email responses. I have email from home. The dogs are showing signs of depression. I call and talk with Paul. We're starting the planning for meeting up in Front Royal. I miss my dogs. I at least get to talk to Paul. There isn't much I can do for the dogs. We decided that the socks that are worn out will get worn a few days and the next town stop, I will mail them home so they have a new mommy smell fix. I'm covered with topical benadryl and Ruili. Maybe I'll have a short time of relief. I also got a email about a friend who passed away, Martha. I knew she was having a hard year last year with her AIDS. She was in and out of the hospital a lot. She would call when she was there and I would go visit. I will miss her. She was one of those people who had spunk and courage. Martha is one of those people who would want me to finish the trail.Namaste'