Date: 2003-06-09
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Waynesboro, Va
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: clear sky

Oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day. La, la, la, la.....I awakened to Princess calling, "Journey, are you alright"? It was 10pm and the thunder and lightning had started. I had said earlier that if it stormed, I would probably move into the empty shelter rather than deal with a wet sleeping bag all night. Being too tired to move, I just stayed put, even falling back to sleep in the middle of the storm.When I awakened at 6, my bag was wet, the down clumped in some spots, but I had had the best nights sleep in several days.Though it hadn't reached us yet, the sun was already shining brightly in the morning sky. I packed up and walked down to the shelter to see the Emory family. Sophie wiggled, whined and brought me a stick to throw to her; just like home.We had such good company in camp that I didn't leave until 8:15, walking out the shelter trail to the AT behind the Emorys. When we got to the junction we chatted for a few minutes, took pictures, and exchanged websites. As we did, Sophie with her own backpack secured around her back, took several steps down the trail, turned and whined to her family as if to say, "Lets get his show on the road". And get the show on the road we did; I moving north and the rest south to Priest Shelter for the night.The plan was to rendezvous with Princess Hoot and Go 4 It at Cedar Cliff for lunch about 3 hours later.I stopped at the Cliffs for lunch. It was 11am and I had gone about 6 miles. It seemed as if the world was at my feet; the farms, towns, forests and mountains spread out below me.My boots came off, sleeping bag set out in the sun to dry, and sun screen on. I had a fantastic hour enjoying the sun, wind and great view.Princess Hoot and Go 4 It hadn't arrived so at noon I moved on; I was anxious to get to Waynesboro and had decided to bail early and then have Jack slackpack me during the week back to the spot where I got off.When I got to the Dripping Rock parking lot and was sitting reading my map, I met a cyclist named Janet who was nice enough to lend me her phone to arrange a shuttle to Waynesboro, 10 miles away. In the process of making calls, Jan said,"Why don't you just come home with me and you can go to town with me and my husband this afternoon".Wow, what a generous offer from someone that I had just met! I accepted, and off we went, first north on the AT then onto a side trail, up a back road for a little way and we were there.I had a nice visit with Janet and then Hermann while the other got ready to go into town. What lovely people they are and I thoroughly enjoyed their company at the house and on the ride into Waynesboro. Hermann drove me right to the door of the Bed and Breakfast and then I bid my trail angles goodbye.The Belle Hearth B&B in Waynesboro is a marvelous Victorian home completely furnished in period antiques and owned by inn keepers, Jim and Carolyn.I had a full day before Jack was to arrive so there was time to get my mail drops from the P.O., do laundry, and attempt to clean myself up.I felt like a princess tonight when I climbed up into the four poster bed and looked around my room. As my friend Karen said, "It doesn't sound like you're on the AT......Dorothy".