Date: 2008-03-19
From: Pearisburg

To: Doc's Knob Shelter
Miles today: 419.0
Weather: overcast clouds

HELLO everyone!! I am going to make this as detailed as possible without exhausting my mind and the time on this computer...there is someone waiting for me. I am sitting at the Plaza Inn motel in Pearisburg. We have been allowed to use the computer in the office and I do not want to monopolize the time on here...so let me move to the trail information and quit explaining myself. We are at mile 622.1...and it still blows my mind. It is currently raining, so I am thankful that we are out of the weather for the night. We woke up early and hiked 9 miles into town. Everything was strange yesterday...so this is good for us to be in town- relaxing. My feet have never hurt so bad. I have a few blisters under callouses due to walking in the rain two days in a row this past week. I also have a toe that looks like it may need to be operated on! The poor tip of my toe and nailbed... ouch!! We plan on soaking our feet in epsom salt tonight. I am walking stronger, though...and it amazes me how many miles we can do in a day. It has almost become a game for me to guess when I will get some place based on my predicted speed in regards to the terrain. Vagus and I blasted up a mountain the other day in 34 minutes- 2 miles of uphill. I simply imagined I was at the gym on a machine doing cardio... Once I summit a mountain I huffed and puffed to climb, there is truly a sense of accomplishment, relief, and happiness... I have had some rough climbs though where my quads were burning and I had to belt out a scream to keep myself motivated to get to the top. Whew...this body has been put to the test!! Praise God He is still holding me together and sustaining me. I truly count it a blessing to be able to get up every day and hike as strong as I have. Quick recap of some of the things we have done since Damascus, VA:1. Trail magic in the form of burgers, hot dogs, soda, fruit, doughnuts from John Grunt, a trail maintainer!! What an exciting sight to see- a grill at a gap.2. Grayson Highlands- PONIES... beautiful section of trail, no doubt. Gotta love those Grayson Ponies, right Vagus and Amazon?!?!3.Daylight savings time took us for a loop at first- later starts and later arrivals into camp, but I like the fact it doesn't get dark until 7:30 or so now.4.We did a 20 mile day, several 18+ mile days...5. Ordered pizza at Partnership Shelter for lunch while sitting around the pond. Amazon took a dip in the cold water.6. Met some neat folks- Tortoise, Pooh Bear, Geek, CakeWalk, John Grunt, Tabasco, Sgt Rock, Willow, Merlin, Purple Rose, Carlton, and Amoeba...7. Encountered Dreama, the unhappy convenient store clerk in Groseclose...boy was she very leary of us thru-hikers and made it well known!!8. I made "The List" which has the items we need to remember to pick up or have sent to us...and it will soon include other thoughts and questions that come up as we walk...such as, "What is a bone spur and what causes it?"9. I have had the chance to walk by myself a few times..it opened opportunity for me to pray and sing and just reflect on life.10. We walked over a suspension bridge, walked .4 miles off of the trail, stayed at Trent's Grocery and tented...and I had a group therapy session with Amazon and Vagus over breakfast. Thanks guys! (I mean that!)11. Made it to Pearisburg. THANK YOU FOR THE LETTERS AND PACKAGES, friends! MUCH appreciated... Always welcomed. I have read and reflected on Psalm 62:5-8 these past couple of days. I encourage you all to read it. I have had some interesting days lately. I am confident the Lord is growing me. I am learning the importance of submitting stuff to the Lord and doing it completely. I am having fun----and I can say that with full honesty. I really enjoy the dynamic of the group with Vagus and Amazon. We have a good time and laugh A LOT!!! I ask you to continue praying for us. Pray for our protection and strength. Pray for clarity in thought as we each have things that are heavy on our minds. Pray for our interactions with each other. I think we work well as a team and I am learning A LOT about team playing being with those two folks. Love and miss you, family and friends.. Thank you, strangers, who I don't know but who are following us... And thank you trail angels we have met and I look forward to meeting some in the near future... Enjoy the day!! Leave us messages on the guestbook...and Check out Amazon Woman and Vagus on here for a different perspective of the same trip.