Date: 2003-05-09
From: VA624 

To: Roanoke, VA
Miles today: 0.0

I enjoyed my time off today. Very much. My hosts Beverly, Vinnie, and Ike are just being great! Today, Bev took Hotdog and I to get our mail in Daleville. It's so exciting to get mail! It's like Christmas! Thanks to all who sent letters and/or goodies. I appreciate it very much, from every little note to McDonaldland Cookies. The outside support will be what gets me to Katahdin.After Christmas as the Post Office, we went to an outfitter, where we saw Zapman and Sparky, Charlie, and Devin and Andrew, all thruhikers. Of course, they hiked to Daleville, where I got a ride, and am about 26 trail miles behind them. I bought some trail shoes there. They feel good, and I hope they continue to on the trail too. I wasn't sure if I wanted shoes or lighter weight boots, but went with Salomon shoes. I don't care about them staying dry, hoping they'll dry quicker than boots when they get wet.My lower leg feels better today. Of course, that's not a day of ascending and descending mountains either! It's a little swollen, as is the ankle. I still think it's a muscle strain, and will try not to push the miles until it heals.I feel much more relaxed about the miles to come, since I don't have to push for any particular destination, and I'm somewhat upset I was set on pushing the last 5 hiking days. It's not the way I want to do this hike. Everything worked out well though, with my friends here in Roanoke being just great to hang out with, and allowing me to visit them a day early. I'm going to take tomorrow off too, then am planning on easier days until I get a ride to Damascus for Trail Days, where I'll have more zero days. I feel good about those plans.After visiting the outfitter, Bev, Vinnie, Hotdog and I went to the all-loving pizza buffet at Cici's Pizza. It was very good, and hit the spot. I felt full... for a while anyway. We drove south on the Blue Ridge Parkway, but most views weren't too spectacular due to the haze, and on the way home, it rained some. We ran some errands. I bought a new book: Stephen King's The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon. What could be better than a King book about hiking and baseball, right? Of course, the book is about a girl that gets lost after getting separated from her family while hiking on the AT. And it's a Stephen King book, so I shouldn't have too many restful nights in the woods. It should be interesting!We returned home to relax and chat, sort through the mail, and make phone calls. It wasn't long before my stomach was speaking to me, and my kind hosts were preparing dinner. Steak. Corn on the cob. Broccoli. Rolls. Mmmmmm. It was very, very good! Cake for dessert was... well... the icing on itself.I have a much greater appreciation for my support, especially my family, since starting this hike. I always got along with my family, and loved them, but since being away from them, I love them even more. Maybe it's because I can't call them at any moment, not that I did, but I COULD'VE. Now, my opportunity comes once every 5-7 days and they're not always home when I call. Sometimes, I just need to talk to family, or someone who's not on the trail, and they are always so supportive. It amazes me. I can't thank them enough! The results of this hike aren't just due to me, the hiker, but from a combination of all the efforts of those taking an interest in this adventure. It's the best thing I've ever done, and I won't ever forget it.