Date: 2011-05-14
From: Trail Days

To: Trail Days
Miles today: 0.0

I woke early and decided to take a shower at the Mobile Disaster Assistance shower trailer at the FBC. I arrived at 06:15, ahead of the crowds that had been in evidence in previous days. I only waited for 15 minutes or so and truly enjoyed the hot shower. The FBC provided a towel and all of the personal care items a person could want. Their thoughtfulness is boundless indeed. I went around the FBC and went to the free medical screening tent. Since I know I will be having a pre-surgical physical in a couple of days, I only wanted to have my body fat tested. I found that along with the 14 pounds I had lost in my four weeks on the Trail, my BMI had dropped to 24!! It had been over 26 when I started the Trail.   From 10:00 to 10:30, I listened to Windtalker play his American Indian flute at the Mt Rogers Hostel. Then I ran down to the Laurel Bldg (having found it yesterday, it was easy to get to...) to listen to the last of AWOL's presentation on his AT Guidebook. I agree with his assertion that it is the best guidebook on the market; not complete but certainly the best. At 12:00 I headed over to Sundog Outfitters by way of the Virginia Creeper Trail. They and Deuter backpacks were serving free hotdogs. As might be expected when combining free food and AT hikers, there were huge crowds waiting. I ran into Kara (aka ROS) and Shayna (aka PC) in Sundog, they were looking at tents and boots. It was so good to see them again after more than a month. We stayed at a couple of shelters together early on in Georgia and they had set a very fast pace and left me in their dust. I also met PC's husband over at the Subway before the Parade started. Soon the Parade started and within only a minute, I had been hit with a water balloon... I didn't know then it was the first of four... As we entered town, I stood off to the side, just watching. I took a water balloon square in the face, I never saw it coming. I decided it would be safer to be walking and almost immediately was hit by another water balloon on the left ear (again, never saw it coming). We continued into town and even though I artfully manipulated my umbrella, I was soaked by a hose. I had a balloon I had caught in midair and I threw it at a man with a large water gun. Unfortunately, he dodged it and the poor unsuspecting middle aged female bystander behind him caught it in the chest!   A little after that, I took another water balloon to my neck. Same story, I have no idea where it came from... The Parade was loads of fun, for me, for the bystanders, especially for the hundreds of kids wielding the wildest collection of water guns and the most water balloons you have ever seen. In fact, it was over far too quickly.   It started to rain later in the afternoon which put a damper on the crowds for the many different performances at the Gazebo. I enjoyed listening to several musical performers and watching some clogging. I actually returned to my tent to take a nap during the heaviest of the rains. Later, I moved into The Place and brought my tent in to dry. Kathleen and I did another pack shakedown and I agreed to let her take my tent and my light summer bag with her. I also gave her all my food. By the time we were done with her pack, it was under 30 pounds and I think she is equipped to finish this Journey of hers. In retrospect, it is painfully ironic that I - seeming paragon of strength and confidence - am OFF the Trail and at home awaiting surgery, and Kathleen, the woman I perfunctorily decided had no chance of lasting two days is strong, better prepared and confidently continuing on her Journey. Wholeheartedly - but tearfully - I wished her Godspeed and I will continue to wish for her success and ultimate completion of her thru-hike.