Date: 2016-05-03
From: mile marker 525.5

To: Atkins, VA
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: mist

It rained all night...when I heard it break around 5:30 a.m. I decided to pack everything and hit the trail. I was walking at 6:45 and my pack was weighing extra due to all the rain. To explain... yes, my tent is waterproof but I have a rain fly over the tent and that obviously gets wet (but keeps me dry). My clothes, from yesterday, were soaking wet as well. All of that goes into a garbage bag to keep it away from my dry stuff. But, I think you get the picture - - things are WET and HEAVY. My goal was to make it 7 miles by 9 a.m. That would put me at the Mt. Roger Visitor Center. There is a shuttle bus that picks up hikers at 9, 11 and 2:30. It brings you into Marion, VA allowing you to resupply food, etc. Well, at 9 a.m. I arrived at the center and saw several hikers there. I asked, are you guys waiting for the shuttle? There reply: Oh, the shuttle just left. OH no... OH well... not much I can do but wait. I went into the visitors center bought a coke and went back out. One of the hikers then said - - hey, I have a phone number of a guy who, I was told, likes to help hikers out if you want to give him a call. Sure, I said. Got the number walking around the parking lot until I could get a cell signal. A woman answered the phone and she told me she would come get me but she was busy and that she would call her husband, Jim. And that she would call me right back. OK, great but I don't have good cell service. She said that she would call me on the phone located on the building. Sure enough 10 minutes later, Carrie called me. She said, Jim (her husband) would be there in 20 minutes. GREAT!!!! 20 minutes later up drives a van! My ride to town. I get in and he asked where I needed to go. I am not sure....it looks like the weather is breaking so I should get back on the trail to take advantage of this break. But, I need food so lets go to the grocery. On the way I asked how far Atkins was from Marion. OH, about 8 miles. HUMMMM. My logistical brain starting working. So I ask him - - could you bring me to Atkins where I will secure a room at the Relax Inn (Yikes). But I would then need a ride back to the visitors center so I could complete that 11 miles section of the hike (from Marion to ATkins). His answer - - SURE, I have all day. OMG!! Are you serious. This guy is too sweet. We first stop at Ingels (grocery store) I gather my supplies and meet him back in the van. I then ask if we can stop at McDonalds. SURE... I get three breakfast sandwiches to go. Back in the van. He drives me to Atkins. I get my room. Throw all my wet heavy stuff in the room. Back in his van. He now is driving me back to the visitors center. OH NO... I forgot to pick up bars (protein bars). NO PROBLEM... we stop AGAIN at the grocery. I run in pick up my bars and back in the van. We made one other stop at the dollar store to check for items but they did not have what I needed. I add this because he went into the store and bought a few things and..... he gave me some candy treats and said - - for your hike today. Again... what a sweetie. In our conversation I found out the his son, Spark, hiked the trail in 2014 and so many people helped his son this is a way of giving back. He asked that I sign his log book as he keeps track of hikers that he helps. I am number 51 for this year. Last year he helped over 135 hikers!! Now you may be thinking that sounds like a pretty good little business. Well, here is the kicker. He does this FREE OF CHARGE. He spent 2 hours with me...running me from here to there and back - - for FREE.   So, I look back and know that I missed the shuttle for a reason. It was to have the wonderful experience of Trail Angel Jim (and his wife Carrie). I was smiling the rest of my hike. I stopped and chatted with other hikers and I told them about my experience as though I had just received a new bike for Christmas (when I was 9). I am still in awe of his kindness. So, now I am at the Relax Inn drying out all my gear and watching the weather. Looks like a bad week in Virginia. But, I will hike on tomorrow as I do not want to sit out a day. I just saw another hiker that I know. Luna (Tic) is his name. And he and I will walk down the road a bit to have dinner together. He has hiked the trail once but has decided to do it again. That blows my mind. He is hiking with a dog, Berkley. So, I get to pet and get my dog fix while I am in the same area of Tic. Oh... one more thing. When I was getting out of the shower (remember i am in the RELAX INN) .. the water will not turn off. I get out of the shower and as I am turning the handle ... it comes off. Humm... OK, now what... I jam it back on - -and turn as hard as I can. There that worked.. OH my... always an adventure.