Date: 2008-05-12
From: Big Walker Motel, Bland, VA

To: Big Walker Motel, Bland, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up in the middle of the night and decided to answer some emails. I answered everyone who signed my guestbook too, but HrlyDave, your firewall rejected my email.Just wanted you to know I didn't forget you! :-)I appreciate all the concern about me giving up my coffee on the Trail, but, even though I am a little worried myself, I've actually given up coffee on one of my other walks when I went stoveless for the rest of that hike.I DO understand now what my ol' buddy Chief means when he says; "Look, Stumpknocker, you are one tough dude! Look, you are my hero!" (of course, as everyone knows, that was said in a true southern trailer park drawl) :-)I walked outside to drizzle and was going to walk down to Subway, but decided to just go across the road to Dairy Queen and take my chances.They had a different crew today and the food was better.I was sitting there when four hikers came in and ordered breakfast.One of the guys came up to me and said; ¢Hello Stumpy".He said we had never met (which I was already pretty sure of), but we had a mutual friend.....Hokey Pokey. :-)He sat down and we started talking about how we are out here hiking and Hokey Pokey was probably just now.....at this very minute, showing up for work in a suit and tie.We both decided we were much happier getting rained on. Ha! :-)Two other hikers came in....Candy Man and Rhino. Rhino hiked the Trail in '05.I stayed long enough to finish my 4th cup of coffee, and then walked back to the room in more drizzling rain.I almost decided to head out when I saw V8 and Auntie Mame get a ride, but Pole Climber said he'd give me a ride up to the trailhead tomorrow morning.That will still give me 3 days to walk the 42 miles into Pearisburg, VA where I'll get a ride back to Trail Days in Damascus, VA for the weekend.I¢ll be back walking out of Pearisburg after that.I spent the middle part of the day reading and happy I chose today to take a zero. It was a raw, wet day with a high temperature around 50 degrees and drizzling everytime I went outside.I finished the part of the book I'm carrying. The rest of the book is at the PO in Pearisburg waiting patiently for me.I caught up on email, gave Liteshoe a hard time about having her book, "The Ordinary Adventurer", in the final 6 of some national competition. (I'm really proud of her, but would never, ever let her know that) :-)The day passed quickly and I realized it was dinner time, so I walked down to the Subway and got a Subway Club.I was just about back to the motel when a car pulled up next to me and the guy asked if I was Stumpknocker.I said yes, I am.Turns out it was Randy Kiser who lives here in Bland and has been reading my journal for a few years now.That's one of the reasons that I decided to keep my journal going.....I get to meet some really great people!Thanks Randy for looking me up....it was great meeting you and talking to you! :-)I went back to my room and ate the Subway sandwich, then decided to go ahead and get my journal sent in.I'm hoping to see Pole Climber in the morning. He said he'd run me back up to the Trail after breakfast.Let's see, that would put us back on the Trail just about the time ol' Hokey Pokey was sitting behind his desk for the day. (I know, that was mean....sorry Hokey Pokey. I really would rather have you out walking with me for the day) :-)Another great day along the Appalachian Trail. :-)