Date: 2005-06-02
From: Camp Site near Mountaineer Falls

To: Kincora Hostel 
Miles today: 14.1

The Road to Damascus - Day 5! Soon after waking up, but before crawling out of my tent, I remember thinking that I really needed a shower - I stunk! The good Lord must have confused that thought with my morning prayers, as I had no more than packed up and prepared to start hiking when the skies opened up! It lasted until noon when the sun finally came out. I had a shorter day today into Kinkora Hostel - about 14 miles, and was blessed much of the day by some outstanding trail work. I learned later that it was mostly Bob Peoples and his crews - including through-hikers who stop long enough at his hostel (Kinkora) to lend a hand. I was especially grateful that they had arranged to have a hedge hog driven over about a five mile section of trail that went through a lot of fields with waist high weeds. With the rain that day, I would have been soaked all afternoon, instead of starting to dry out. In addition, I learned later that those fields were full of copper heads... I arrived at Kinkoras about 4, and had just missed the afternoon shuttle to town. I did manage to get a shower and laundry done, and my tent set up to dry out. Before long, Bob Peoples retuned, and I had a chance o meet him. I thanked him for the trail work, and also passed on the greetings of Jan Lightshoe, who had emailed me recently extolling the virtues of Kinkora and of Bob and Jan. He is a super nice guy, and really dedicated to both the trail and to hikers. He retired and moved to Tennessee, setting up a hostel right next to the trail. He actually built the hostel itself, a log cabin-style building, with trees from the property. He asks only for a four dollar donation, which doesn't cover operating costs, I'm sure, let alone the cost of 2-3 shuttles a day into town. He's been doing it for almost ten years now, with over ten thousand guests! It is really very comfortable, and I wished I wasn't so far behind schedule getting to Maine as I would love to stay longer, do some trail work, and get to know the Peoples better.Also staying at Kinkora were several familiar faces and a few new ones. Buck was there, who I met last week, and Paul (the Canadian) showed up not long after me. Snake was new, as was Mike - a Brit who had done his first through-hike 13 years ago at age 62 (do the math!), and has also hiked the Pacific Crest trail. We shuttled into town for groceries, but did not have time to do a restaurant, so we did "take out" from the deli department. I got a roast chicken, coleslaw, macaroni salad, a green salad, and a peach pie. Ok, I was hungry, I admit it. Never shop on an empty stomach, right. When we returned to Kincora, I was happy to share my repast with several other hikers - so at least I didn¢t have to worry about wasting any food! I also bought some strawberries, a large package, and then noticed a sign saying "buy one, get one free." I figured they'd be good for breakfast with coffee in the morning, so I cut them up and put them in the fridge. After sorting my food supplies for the four days to Damascus, I was about to put my spare items into the hiker box, when in walks Kentucky. Apparently Spike and Beckham had decided to hole up somewhere before Kinkora, possible at a hostel near the last road crossing, so Kentucky was hiking solo. He said he'd just done 24 mile day and really had to bust a gut to get to Kinkora before dark. Unfortunately, he'd missed the shuttle, and was totally out of food.I knew the feeling, as I arrived with only a single breakfast bar in my bag, and just missed what I thought might be the last one that day. I told Kentucky that he was in luck, and handed over my spares, including he last piece of peach pie. I also knew I'd regret eating all those strawberries by myself, so I split those with him as well. He seemed pretty grateful, but it's only what anyone would do for a fellow hiker in need. And it all comes back, one way or another. Today's hike is dedicated to Bob Peoples, and all the others who provide critical leadership in trail work. It really makes a huge difference for al hikers, regardless of how far they're going. And, as Bob says, he's really training the next generation of trail maintainers - an investment in the future of the trail. Stay tuned, LonghaulSent via PocketMail EmailAnywhere www.pocketmail.com