Date: 2003-07-18
From: Holy Family Hostel, Pearisburg, VA

To: Holy Family Hostel, Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Molly (Biscuit) and I had a great talk this evening. Like me, she's a recent college grad, and is out here alone. We were the only two at the hostel and were sitting together out on the porch. I asked her a typical-Emily reflective question about her Trail experience that initiated a conversation about the highs and lows of the Trail and of being on it alone. Not only did we discover we had similar joys and challenges, but she offered me some great insights she'd gotten regarding goal-setting and her purpose for being out here. The conversation was very therapeutic, I think - I hope! - for both of us. I've been told, and sometimes felt, for most of my life that I'm "mature for my age." Most likely that is levelling out now as I get older; somehow talking to Molly, I had the feeling athat it may be true in some areas, but in others I'm just the baby of the family like I've always been. Lots of growing and learning yet to do.We could have talked longer, I'm sure, but the guys (Packman and Merlin) returned from dinner with hostel-owner Bill and Molly's mom arrived to pick her up and take her North - she's jumping ahead a section, maybe doing a flip-flop.Other highlights of the day were breakfast with Riverbottom and Sandy, Merlin, KC, Joey, and Molly at Darlene's kitchen - where the service was so bad it was entertaining. A couple hours of phone calls (also therapeutic!), and several hours of e-mail and journaling at the local library.It's been said, something like "Friends listen to what you say; best friends listen to what you don't say." Thanks, Lisa, for listening to what I didn't have the courage to voice! - and for acknowledging it.I'm still in Pearisburg, obviously. Nursing this new injury. It hasn't been that painful really, but today there is a lot of swelling in my whole calf and ankle, as well as some bruising-type discoloration. Of course standing for hours to talk on a pay phone (why don't any of those have seats?!) and then sitting at the library without it elevated didn't help it, nor did walking back up to the hostel afterwards. But I've kept ice on it since then, tried to keep it elevated as much as possible.So what I wasn't brave enough to voice was my discouragement. At this rate there's no way I'll make it to Katahdin this fall in a straight shot, so I'm having to re-evaluate. Molly stated her goal had shifted from trying to do the whole Trail this season to hiking until she was satisfied. We talked about how we both fell into the "gotta get there" mode so easily, and how that really wasn't fun.After all, one of the reasons I frequenly touted as motivation for coming out here was to cultivate a slower pace of life. So maybe this is my cue to start cultivating...Once again I choose to remember there's Someone Else in charge - there's a bigger picture I can't see. I re-read Romans 8 this morning, and verse 28 was comforting - "And we know that all things work together for good for those that love God and are called according to His purpose."One more highlight this evening after Molly left - a haircut! I've cut my own hair off and on for several years now - something I never would have imagined myself doing. But I haven't had a good professional haircut since I left California (miss you, Molly in Napa!), and desperation makes you do funny things! People always ask, "How do you cut the back yourself?!" Yeah - try it without two mirrors to reflect each other, and with only a cracked hand mirror! Anyway I just trimmed up the back and gave it a little more shape and texture - it'll be Trail worthy at least!Tonight it's just Packman, Merlin and me here at the hostel. Packman's not even quiet in his sleep - he's second only to the snorer we encountered at Apple House shelter! Thank goodness for earplugs.