Date: 2018-04-19
To: The Lazy Fox Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Well, the day began with the most incredible breakfast we¢ve had on the trail yet!!! We didn¢t think anything could top our stay at the Mountain Harbor, but that¢s because we¢ve never been to the Lazy Fox Inn. Jinny, the 94 year old owner, told us yesterday that the only rules were 1) breakfast is served at 8AM and 2) you can come and go as you please. (Now THOSE are my kind of rules!!) I woke up to the smell of bacon frying around 6AM. That seemed kind of early since there were only six of us staying at the inn and breakfast wasn¢t for two more hours. But that¢s because I had NO IDEA what Jinny was whipping up downstairs. Her helper, Joe (who is a mere spring chicken at age 82) rang the breakfast bell at 8 on the nose. We turned the corner, and the ginormous table was absolutely full of dishes! Jinny and Joe had made fried eggs, scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy, cheese grits, pineapple casserole, steamed apples, pancakes, hash browns, sausage, bacon, fresh fruit, and prunes!!! And did I mention there were only six of us?!?!? Every bite was delectable!!!! We all ate until we were about to pop, but it was just too delicious to not at least try a taste of everything! We sat around and chatted a bit (mainly because none of us could move) and finally were able to head to Abingdon for some resupply. Next Step had asked Jinny if she knew of a massage therapist in Abingdon. Unfortunately, when she called the one she knew, the therapist just happened to be hiking the PCT!! Good for her! But the therapist said that the Martha Washington Inn and Spa has one that she recommended, and oh, by the way, they also did pedicures!!! Hellooo?!?! Please sign me up. It was almost like my daydream I had a couple of days ago was coming true!!! We made a quick trip to Kroger, where we also picked up 4 pounds of butter for Jinny (our pleasure, and I¢m sure we¢ll be benefitting from that at tomorrow¢s breakfast, lol) and a few items to resupply. Then our trail angels who are also Next Step¢s 82nd buddy, Dale and his amazing wife, Joan took us to the spa. They graciously agreed to just walk around the quaint little town while we got pampered. Cindy, my nail tech, knew EXACTLY what these poor hiker feet needed (and fortunately, unlike my daydream, she did NOT charge me double!!) It was the best $ we have spent since we started hiking, as far as I¢m concerned. Next Step came out with puffy eyes and dried drool on his lip!! Not really, but he said he had literally fallen asleep and was still disoriented from his 60 minute massage. Angel, his therapist, said he was massage drunk! I think it is really a thing! Haha! Dale and Joan got us back to the Lazy Fox and we had to part ways so that they could make the five hour drive back to Fort Bragg. Their visit meant more to us than words could say! They truly were there just to make our lives feel perfect and we will never forget our time together!! Just as they were leaving, another of our trail angels, Charles (who we had met back at church in Erwin and had already treated us to a breakfast) and his lovely wife, Sheila, were heading over to the Lazy Fox to take us out for Mexican food. Our day was filled with kindness and beautiful souls! We so enjoyed chatting with them over dinner and getting to know them better. The trail has made us so aware of the absolute goodness of friends and strangers! After supper they dropped us back at the library in Damascus so we could get on the computer and take care of some retirement business. Next Step is already talking about finding some ice cream later. It¢s a good thing we have to walk back to the Lazy Fox to work up an appetite! A few minutes after we got back to the Inn, Heartburn and Butter Knife (aka Mel) showed up to get checked in and get their showers before we head out for dessert. Next Step and I worked on packing up and repackaging our bounce box and med box to mail on up the trail. It¢s already 8PM and we haven¢t left yet. Not sure if my desire for ice cream is going to be stronger than my need for sleep. But I do know this has been a Zero day to remember - our trail angels made SURE of that!Hugs, Which WayWeather:Day - 48 / CloudyNight - 33 / Clear Over the Horizon: Mount Rogers