Date: 2003-05-24
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: broken clouds

I think I got the earliest start yet today! About 8:15am Summer, the Carlsons and I took off for Winding Stair Gap to meet Summer¢s dad at 10:30. Normally I won¢t plan to hike on Saturdays. It is my rest and worship day. But today I did so I could go to church.I soon fell behind, as usual, upon reaching the first slightest incline. I know it¢s not a competition out here, but I can¢t help feeling disappointed when I can¢t keep up. Being ¢left behind¢ takes me straight back to fifth grade and getting picked last for the team. Another thought process that I hope will change while I¢m out here.The climb seemed endless, too. I half thought I¢d never make it. It was wet and somewhat dreary again, and I¢d put on wet clothes for the umpteenth time. I¢m sure it¢s gotten warmer at some point, but every time I¢ve looked at my little thermometer it¢s said 55 degrees. Anyway I did arrive at last, only about 20 minutes after the rest, and Summer¢s parents drove up shortly after to shuttle us to town. The post office was our first stop, the Carlsons and I claiming our mail drops, and then on to the church.The parking lot was empty. Summer¢s dad read a sign on the door saying church was meeting outdoors ¢ where else but at Standing Indian Campground, just below where I¢d come from that morning! The irony. So he graciously offered to drive me back out there ¢ and wouldn¢t accept money for gas or the food he¢d bought me. Another trail angel!I felt some uncertainty arriving kind of in the middle of a church service, dressed as I was, in the same smelly and dirty clothes I¢d hiked in all week, my hair so greasy it actually laid down instead of standing straight up (like it¢s done since I was a baby!) I don¢t know how many of the Franklin Seventh-day Adventist church members were present, but the ones that were there were tremendously embracing and enthusiastic about my adventure. Some concern as well at my going on alone from here, but excited nonetheless. As usually happens in Adventist circles, I met people who knew people I knew ¢ including, get this, a women who had gone to college with my grandmother, Adele Dorley Wickwire! That was so neat. She recognized my grandpa¢s name from my dad¢s, remembered my grandma had married him, and remembered my grandma¢s sister and her. She hugged me twice, ¢for Hester,¢ she said. I was touched.And ¢ a kicking potluck! Thank you, God. Someone had even made taco salad, something I was craving. To top it off, in answer to my prayer, God sent two tremendously gracious ladies to offer to let me stay with them, shower, do laundry, and even shuttle me back to the trail. Thank you, God, with all my heart.Bev and Sheryl were a hoot. I fell in love with them fast. Bev was an art major in college ¢ I got to see some of her original abstracts when we got to the house. Sheryl, a retired nurse, reminds me of my aunt Joyce. They¢re actually staying with Bev¢s brother, planning a move to Phoenix, after having traveled around in an RV together for several months.Several people went hiking after lunch, joking that they couldn't understand why I didn't want to accompany them, but we just sat on a blanket in the park and talked for a couple of hours. It was a beautiful sunny day by now and I laid out my stuff to dry ¢ tent, rain fly, groundsheet, etc. It felt so good to be dry and warm myself!Around five we left and came to the house. My first priority (for their sake and mine) was to have a shower, I took my time somewhat and just as I got out, Joy came and invited us for hot dogs roasted over a bonfire in her yard.Joy is another angel, another member of Franklin SDA who we¢d hung out with all afternoon. An avid animal lover, she¢s recently rescued the most adorable baby opossum. She carried Pontius Possum around on her shoulder, letting him crawl up under her French braid. Her youngest son, Caleb, 7 or so, was the cutest little country boy in cutoffs, a blond buzz, and freckles. Both he and BJ, 10, had more energy than I¢ve ever had in my life.We walked to their house for supper, only a short distance. (What a relief to have no pack on!) Joy was the perfect hostess ¢ I could tell she wanted everything to be just so, bending over backwards to accommodate our every possible desire, and that of her boys. She let me e-mail my family real quick before Bev and Sheryl and I walked home (by candlelight!) at 10:30. I loaded my laundry in to wash, we puttered around a little and now here I am journaling.What a wonderful day of rest, sunshine, fellowship, and trust. Thank you, God, for Sabbath.Will run a few errands in the morning and then head back on the trail. More rain is in the forecast . . .