Date: 2003-04-22
From: Damascus

To: Saunders Shelter
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: light rain

I didn't sleep as well in the luxorious room as I thought I would've. I love pillows, and had four on this bed. Maybe it was too many for me. I felt locked in, and had to tug at the sheets so they'd lay loose around me, instead of tight on me. I guess the sleeping bag is my preferred bedding now, and pillows??? I use my fleece jacket for that, unless it's bitter cold and I wear it to sleep in. But other than that, there is no such thing as a pillow.My internal alarm is now set to 6:40-something AM, and I woke up at 6:47 this morning, but luckily was able to fall back asleep for 30 or 40 more minutes. Hotdog and I went to breakfast at Side Track Cafe. It was okay, nothing special, but the people were friendly, and they had internet access. I didn't have much time, but had enough to read my email, though not reply to any.As we were getting ready to leave the hotel room, two women came to our back/balcony door. I was on the phone, so Hotdog got the door. I was thinking they had the wrong room, but they asked for Hotdog and Wench. It was Suz, from hikersRus and at-l internet maiing lists, and her friend Barb. So very cool that she found us!!!We then went to the Post Office to pick up packages and letters and then back to the room to open them all and sort through the maildrops. (Thanks to Dr.Holzinger's Office, Mom and Dad, Carol, and Susan for the goodies and letters!) Maildrops are fun. It's kind of like a little Christmas, where I get cards or gifts. Or just necessary stuff like contacts, meds, and food. It's just fun to get stuff. I'll make a note and remember this, so I can learn to be a good giver too.We packed up, checked out, mailed some stuff, filled up on alcohol (fuel), then headed out of town. We stopped at Cowboy's Deli for lunch, and I had a hot ham & cheese, and a good corn dog! Mmmm...corn dog! I had to use the restroom just one last time before losing that luxory for several days. Then we hit the trail, first through town, then next to the road out of town. When the trail turned off the road and onto a mountain, I noticed I was smiling. There's just something about getting back into the woods and on the trail that makes me.... happy... no...maybe more at peace. In town, I start thinking about "civilized things" like television, sports, news, and work(!), and I get... flustered a little bit. There's so much trivial stuff that can clutter up the mind. When I'm on the trail, sure, I think about some of that stuff, but mostly, my tasks for the day are to stay warm and dry, find a place to sleep, and eat. And I get to walk to places where I can do that, and see things that only those who walk there can see. And every day is different. There's no required place to be at 9am. I don't even have to get out of my bag by 9am, though my body will yell at me to do so. This life I'm living right now is so different than what I used to do, that right now, I cannot imagine going back to that. There is much more to living than putting in required time to earn a paycheck. I hope I keep that thought with me for the rest of my life.There are 3 of us thruhikers at the shelter: me, Hotdog, and TN-Man (spoken as: ten-man). I guess others who left Damascus today, including Fly, Smoothie, Sonic and Guana went the six miles to the next shelter. For starting after 2pm, I think we did pretty good! It's chilly tonight, probably in the 30s. I haven't had as cool a night in a long time. I can't recall exactly when, but it might have been the March 30 snowstorm.I'll be warm enough tonight, but I won't want to get out of my bag in the morning. I know that already! Unfortunately one of two things will drag me out: my body aching from laying here so long or an early morning potty call. I don't know which is worse.I saw a hawk today. It screamed at me from a tree high above as I was walking along the side of a steep mountain. Smartly, I remembered the cardinal rule: stop, look and listen. As I was searching the trees for it, it flew off. I watched it for a while, gliding in the air above. That made me smile too. It's great to just be out here.