Date: 2005-04-03
From: Microtel, Robbinsville, NC

To: Microtel, Robbinsville, NC
Miles today: 0.0

When I opened my eyes this morning I could tell from the light sneaking in around the edges of the heavy drapes drawn across my window that it was a bright and sunny day. I was immediately saddened by the thought of my friends, poles in hand, packs on their backs, smiles on their faces, heading up from Fontana Dam into the mountains. I allowed myself about a minute and a half to wallow in self pity before kicking my butt out of bed and pushing those thoughts from my mind as I headed into the bathroom to get ready for my day - whatever it might hold.As I was drying off from my shower, the phone rang. It was BfM calling from the Hike Inn to report that the crowd there was having to take another zero day. It seems conditions in the higher elevations are still not conducive to safe hiking, and rangers were advising against it. Apparently they are struggling to get up to Clingman's Dome - the highest point on the AT at more than six thousand feet - to rescue four hikers. I had to wonder if they were anyone I knew. She also said that more of M Company had turned up at Fontana Dam, staying at the shelter there or at the hostel in Fontana Village. Included were Mother Goose (yea!), Draggin (who I still haven't met yet in person), Red Hat, Raz and Jacob.Meanwhile, the crowd at the Hike Inn is starting to go a bit stir crazy with the lack of hiking and limited options for entertainment. Those still there include BfM, Phoenix, Hopeful Hiker, Dorothy and Toto (the Duhls) and Creaky Bones.I told BfM that I would be delighted to see them if they could get a shuttle into town, and offered use of my room here to hang out in and watch T.V. etc. It's still only 10:30 - oh, oops, 11:30 -- forgot about daylight savings time, so hopefully I'll get some company later today. Of course this now screws up all of our plans as to when we might meet up again, but hey - that's just the nature of this little adventure. It's all about taking things one day at a time. After breakfast I checked my email and was thrilled with all of the messages of support and encouragement I have received. God bless all of you who have written - you don't know what a boost that gives to my morale! In addition to talking with family today, I also had a call from one of my through-hiker heroes and writer extraordinaire - none other than Felix J. McGillicuddy, hisownself. I had exchanged emails with him in February, and met him in person at the PA Ruck. He knew just what to say, and strongly reinforced my conviction about how best to handle my current layoff. It was a classic example of what the trail community is all about: people caring about people. Thanks, Felix, for being there.I spent a quiet afternoon working on my journal, watching a NASCAR race at the Bristol Motor Speedway, and napping - all with my knee elevated.Phoenix called me at 5 from the Hike Inn to say that they would all be coming in to town for dinner at 6, and Nancy would pick me up and get me to the restaurant de jure. It was great to be with them all one more time before we split up for awhile. And the smoked ribs were great!Over dinner we talked more about how important it is for all of us to make the right decisions about our hikes - whether it's time off for injuries or exercising caution about hiking into bad weather. After dinner, back in my hotel room, I talked with my wife about her day, and the same theme came up with regard to my kids. This afternoon my younger son's Cub Scout Pack - Pack 1169 - held there bridging ceremony during which the second year Webelo scouts "graduated" to a boy scout troop. In my experience, there are few things better for helping to teach boys the virtues of life, and the importance of doing the right thing, than scouting. To be effective, however, scouting requires strong parental involvement and leadership - as exemplified by the parents of Pack 1169 and our Cub Master, John Knox. Given this entry's focus on doing the right thing, even if that means another zero mileage day, today's outcome - progress toward resuming my hike - is dedicated to those very special young men of Pack 1169 who graduated today. We are all very, very proud of each one of you, and wish you all the best as you move forward into the boy scouts. I know that you will continue to make your parents proud. Stay tuned, Longhaul