Date: 2003-07-25
From: Four Pines Hostel, Catawba, VA

To: Thomsens', Laurel, MD
Miles today: 5.9

A guy drove up this morning just as we were waking up, came in and went straight for the shower. Dan and I looked at each other with questioning glances, but shrugged it off. Whatever. Turns out the guy, a professional fly fisherman, owns a cabin nearby that has no hot water, so he comes and uses this one and leaves a donation whenever he is in the area. I talked to him a little (good-looking guy) and then he drove Dan back to the Trail. After they left I went into the bathroom and it smelled heavenly - a good man smell, cologne or aftershave or something. Haven't smelled that in ages; I could have stayed in there all morning!Instead I had some breakfast, did some reading, washed up my dishes and hung stuff on the line to air out. Around 10:30 Joe drove up and said he'd take me to the Trail when I was ready; we'd arranged for me to slack-pack the 5.9 miles from 311 back to the hostel. when I heard him drive up, I'll confess I thought, "Oh no, I don't want to hike!" But I'm glad I did.It was a short drive to the Trail crossing on 311. First half of the hike provided some strenuous ups and downs, but the ridge-walking was pleasant. Almost had some views on either side through the trees. I ran on a few of the flat stretches - very little, barely even enough to claim. But it felt so good not to be weighed down, to use my body in a different way. Just gotta be careful of those knees on the downhills... I may have to be relegated to old-fogie status after all!Second half of the hike was very pleasant - through pastures (I love it any time the Trail emerges out into the open sunshine, and today was another BEAUTIFUL day!), then alongside a meandering brook, finally a moderate climb and a few switchbacks down to 624, then the .3 back up the road to the hostel. I made it in just over two hours.After stretching and a shower, I ate lunch - raided the hiker box! - and just sat there looking out on the gorgeous day and scenery, listening to my favorite music on the radio. The most recent song by my favorite group, Third Day, even came on. "Did I say thank-you for this day yet, God?" I felt both peace and turmoil as I sat there; peace in just BEING, turmoil over a personal battle as I struggled to let go and give it to God.I think I said the other day that I was so lucky to be out here. That's not totally true, unless you define luck as "where preparation meets opportunity." I worked hard for this, harder than anything I've ever worked for before. That's a very gratifying feeling.And now for what I've been looking forward to all week - Steve walked up! He'd planned to hike with me this week almost from the beginning. At that point I'd planned to be up in Maryland, and since he's from Maryland, he liked the idea of doing that section. When I talked to him last week from Pearisburg to finalize our plans, he said he'd pick me up wherever I was today, drive me up to spend the weekend with my parents (his live near mine), and then we'd start hiking Sunday - his dad wants to come, too.I'm crafty, too, Bushwhack - I didn't tell my parents I was coming. My sister and brother-in-law from California were due in today for a visit, and my parents had talked of coming down to meet me tomorrow wherever I was, so I told them I'd call them Thursday or Friday and let them know. I sent my bounce box to their house from Pearisburg, saying "Hold for AT Hiker, ETA 7/25/03," but even that didn't clue them in!After a very enjoyable drive with Steve, we found our way to my parents' house about 8:15pm. No small chore either, because I've never been here (they just moved in March) and all we had was the address. Steve's a great navigator, though.And of course - the adventure wouldn't have been complete if they'd been home... But since both cars were there I figured they were out walking. We went around to try the back door and while we were standing on the deck they all came walking up the street from that direction. I guess my mom spotted us first and exclaimed, "Excuse me! Someone's on our deck!" Erin said, "That's Emily!" Amid their exclamations of wonderment I said, "Is this the Thomsen Hiker Hostel?" They were thrilled.Simple pleasures of being "home": - just SEEING my car! Wish I could drive it, but the insurance is on hold... - e-mail, of course... and checking my guestbook (glad to see your name, Idrissa!) - leftover strawberry shortcake - my favorite summer dessert! - my pajamas - REAL pajamas! - and some of my other clothes I was attached to that I haven't seen in months, almost forgot I had! - Ah, my favorite lotion - Victoria's Secret LoveSpell - Annie's grapeseed & lavender oil I use for a night cream on my face - and the awesome Jurlique lotion she sends me that I use in the morning. I've missed those simple things! - the cat - I miss my little Ebbe back at home! - all the familiar pieces of furniture, and how elegantly and tastefully my parents have decorated their new place.It was hard to get to sleep though. The air conditioner is noisy; clock's ticking; and no screens on the windows mean no fresh air for Emily tonight... (Am I back in Hoquiam?) I almost went outside to sleep on the deck, but the townhouse next door has their porch light on, the a/c is noisier outside, and there's a highway nearby. So I'll settle in on the couch at last, about 1am...Thanks Steve!