Date: 2003-06-11
From: Hog Camp Gap

To: Tye River
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Mosquitoes are everywhere. I don't have bug repellent until I get to Waynesboro in two days. I hiked out, and in 4 miles I came upon Loser just leaving camp. He said he was going to a hostel that gives free lunches. It immediately sent me back to a Neil Young concert where a man was wearing a shirt that said, "There is no such thing as a free lunch." I tried to argue with the man, but he was insistent that they don't exist. I told him I don't want to live in a world without free lunches. Now I'm with my good pal Loser going to prove this guy wrong. After 4 miles, we got to the road that we walked about a half mile down and waited for them to shuttle us. When we got there, Svensaw and Looney were already waiting. We were 20 minutes early so we joked around and I chewed on some mechanically separated chicken. I got a good chance to catch up with Looser. It turns out he has been hiking with Gazelle, but she got ahead of him again. I don't understand how he keeps letting her get away. I waited and waited for the shuttle, but after 50 minutes I couldn't wait any longer. That guy at the Neil Young concert was right, there is no free lunch. I hit the trail leaving my three friends behind. They will catch up very soon. Rather than hike with a group, which is almost impossible for me, I prefer to hike knowing the 30 people behind me and the 30 people in front of me. It's like running into friends all the time. I have run into Smiles and Billyboy ever since Fontana Dam. They are really cool and are about the age I act. We also have a great deal in common since we have the same music taste. Another couple I keep running into it JJ and Chicken Legs. On Friday, a bunch of us are going to Chicken Leg's parents¢ house in Waynesboro. They are letting hikers sleep over. I was going to go to the YMCA but this is much better. I also got to see Mothman and The Iron Chef today. You gotta love the creativity some people put in their trail names. I needed more food to get me the last 30 miles to Waynesboro so I had to walk 2 miles to a gas station. As soon as I left the woods, it began to pour. The walk was nice and level without much traffic. I was going to hitchhike there, but I didn't bother since I was soaking wet and the cars were very few and far between. The gas station was a real sight. The pumps have been removed for years. There was a covered up pool table taking up half of the store. I walked down what I thought was an aisle, but ran into an old man in a Lazy Boy watching TV. I bought what I hope is enough food for a day and a half. I ate 3 microwaved cheeseburgers and a Snickers ice cream bar. The people there were very nice and let me use the phone. There wasn't much of a selection, but it was pretty cheap. Afterwards, the son offered me a ride back to the trail. The rain stopped and I set up my hammock. There is a string that runs along the top of my hammock and it supports my bug netting. I use it as a wash line, but boy, do my socks stink. Also, my socks are a mess from all the glue that the duct tape and band aids puts on them. I will be getting new socks at Waynesboro. 800 miles is enough for one pair of socks. Well, time for hammock. Peace,Dutch