Date: 2009-06-30
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Staunton, VA
Miles today: 0.0

This morning was a bit of a whirlwind day, but I felt as if I accomplished a lot. Jill had already gone to the post office to pick up Priority boxes that I needed in order to send some of my belongings home, so this was taken care of. The most critical thing today was just getting a new pair of shoes that were comfortable. Zack had told us about the Wilderness Adventure Outfitters in Staunton, VA, just down the street from where he worked, and I decided to check it out before I would head off to Charlottesville to a Dick's Sporting Goods or beyond. So, I headed into the Fretwell Bass store with Zack in the early morning. I fired off some emails until 10 am and then walked down to the outfitters when it had opened. I was very impressed by how many styles of shoes they had and determined that I would probably be able to get a good pair of shoes before walking out of the store - far better than the hiking selection at Dick's. I tried on about seven pairs of shoes and, with the help of the owner, Robert, I was able to go with some Vasque Velocity shoes. I didn't have very good luck with Vasque shoes in the past, but these shoes were just calling my name and seemed to have a very good fit - of course, 1/2 size up since one's feet swell quite considerably out on the trail. I walked back to the store, where I made some small talk with the owners Jerry and Janie. Jerry had just turned 65, so I wished him a happy birthday and complimented him for being in such good shape for his age. He responded, in somewhat of a quirkish manner, "Goooooddddddd. Yuhhh shoulda seen me befar I put mahh mekkup onnn!" They truly were great people and I enjoyed my short time talking with them. When I left the store, I initially intended to go straight to the Staunton library driving Zack's car (strange to drive a car again), but I realized that I had a maildrop waiting for me in Waynesboro. On the way, I stopped at Big Lots again where I picked up a new pair of sunglasses (I have purchased - and lost - about five pairs while out on the trail), and was happy to have found a cheap $2 pair this time around. I also filled up the car with gas as Zack and Jill have been driving me all over the place and have helped so much. When I arrived at the Waynesboro Post Office, I saw Toubab, who I hadn't seen for nearly a month. He had just returned from a 10-day stint back home in Ohio visiting his family. He would be starting the Shennies the following day and I was likely to see him in the days ahead. He explained that Jungli was just inside - I hadn't seen her in several weeks either. It was great to give her a big hug and to reconnect about the trail. I might be passing by her relatively soon, but I do hope that we'll have the chance to 'hang' along the way. Man, it was great just to see familiar faces of people out on the trail again. Tomorrow will be a good day out in the Shennies. The bad news about the post office was that they did not have my mail drop. I found out later on in the day from Kathy that she forgot to send it, as she had hoped to make me some cookies/brownies to send with. The good news was that it wasn't all too important, as I had my entire food supply and I probably wouldn't need too much Endurox or pills for the next section. Then, I went back to Staunton and Zack and I walked down the street to Shenandoah Pizza to have some fresh gourmet pizza. It was a rather large serving and, after two pieces, I was quite stuffed. Zack kept cracking jokes about how the waitress was digging me. However, I think that she might have been diggin' Zack. Next, I headed off to the library. I was so tired that I actually fell asleep in Zack's car for a good hour before I entered the library building. I used the internet for a little while, but in no time, it was time to go and pick up Zack. He explained that he had a few errands to run with the first being a visit to Huss & Dalton Guitars, a world-renowned guitar company whose workshop is right here in Staunton. I met Mark Dalton, one of the owners of the company, who was helping Zack out to re-configure or re-shape the cylindrical piece of a banjo that Zack wants to build. Zack took me for a tour upstairs and it was the first time seeing a guitar-making shop with tons of pieces of wood all over the place. The smell upstairs was a perfect blend of mahogany, rosewood, lacewood, spruce, maple, walnut, swamp ash, basswood, and alder. Aside from the dust, the smell was very fresh. One could tell that there was something special about the place and I'm very happy that Zack gave me the opportunity to visit. While Zack talked with Mark and another guy who works at the company, I talked to my Aunt Kathy, who explained the faux pas of the mail drop, but that they are planning on visiting me on Friday and into Saturday. I was hoping that I would be able to see them in Harpers Ferry at the psychological halfway point, but you can't ask for everything. Sunday will be my 26th birthday and seeing them will be one of the best birthday presents that I could receive. I really can't wait. Driving on the back roads back to the house, Zack nearly hit a deer; it is literally like a minefield driving through these back roads as there are deer, squirrels, groundhogs, and all sorts of other little critters that race across the street at the worst time. Back at the house, the two of us headed up into the woods behind the house property and shot his 357 magnum. It was the second time shooting a gun (the first was with my buddy Jason Gill in Mississippi). The first time that I shot one, I was very, very hesitant, but I've now kind of gotten used to it - merely out of sport. I still would never own a gun in my home. Maybe this belief will change once I have a family and kids, but only time will tell. Inside the house, Jill and I talked about the events of our day and I did my best to update both of them on trail happenings. I was still very tired, but knew that I had to knock out these Trail Journal entries before heading off to bed. We had a wonderful dinner of turkey burgers and corn on the cob. I had a few too many Ju Ju gummi fish and Pringles, so my appetite wasn't as large as it normally is. We also discussed the plan for tomorrow, which is that Zack is going to drive me up Skyline Drive - leaving at 6 am - and I am going to slackpack my way back to Rockfish Gap. It will most likely be a 30-mile day tomorrow and will be my most ever. Wow. Wish me luck.