Date: 2008-04-06
From: Wise Shelter

To: Troutdale, VA
Miles today: 15.8

In the middle of the night, a downpour began. It sounded very, very relaxing and awesome. It did, however, inspire a funny dream: I dreamt that it rained so much that we had to zero in the shelter in order to build a boat to continue along the AT!!! When we woke up at 7a, the rain had subsided, but there was still some fog--it wasn't as thick as yesterday though. By 8:15a, Toddy Bear hit the trail with Pa Bert and Yeti. I left slightly after he did and Stovie soon followed. Since we were going to Troutdale today for a resupply, I wasn't in too big of a hurry. So, I took my time and enjoyed the beautiful open pastures and took a funny picture of a random boot sitting upon a wooden pole in one of the pastures!!! Nothing crazy really happened to us during the day except that I realized I need to re-do this section whenever it's not rainy and foggy because it seems to be a beautiful section. As we approached Old Orchard Shelter, I gave my animal call and Toddy Bear responded. I quickly stopped at the privy for a "business meeting" and realized that the MRATC makes the best privies I have seen so far!!! They're very roomy, have handlebars, and are stocked full of duff. When I returned to the shelter, I saw Yeti and Pa Bert sitting there too. So, we all ate 2nd Breakfast to celebrate the crossing of our fifth century (mile 500)...You better believe I took a picture!!! Unfortunately, Fester wasn't there for the pic, but Dr. Small Pot's quote of The Pretenders in the Appalachian Times boosted our morale. A couple miles later, I reached a parking lot and saw an ETSU van...oh my alma mater, how I love thee! I climbed up Iron and Hurricane Mnts and then cruised down to see Toddy Bear and Stovie enjoying lunch. So, I joined them and eventually Yeti, Pa Bert and Fester did too! We all enjoyed the 45 minute break, but by 1p, we decided to hit the trail again. I don't know what got in me, but I was feeling good and decided to "run with" Stovie. The terrain wasn't too bad and that waterfall was a nice relief for sore eyes. By 2:20p, we'd reached the road and waited for the others to join us. When everybody arrived, we said "see ya later" to Pa Bert, who's pushing on to Trimpi shelter, and we prepared to hitch. Well, I thought I would try my hand at hitching and stuck my thumb out. The first car that passed pulled over. That's my fastest hitch EVER (10 seconds). Normally, it takes me either 30 minutes or several hundred cars passing by before I get a ride. Only having room for 3, I sent T. Bear, Yeti, and Stovie because they are the skinniest members and would have no problem fitting in the car. Well, immediately after they left, a truck pulled up and offered Fester and me a ride...we sat in the bed of his truck along with the hundreds of crushed Natural Ice cans!!! We arrived at the Hostel and unloaded. The hostel is pretty nice and welcoming to people who have spent a couple of days in the miserable rain! We arrived at 3p and snacked until 4:30p because we didn't want to eat dinner too early. We walked to Jerry's diner, formerly the Troutdale Trading Post, and picked up the package we had sent. Then, we began to eat. I ordered a marinated chicken platter with green beans, potato cakes, and a banana split. While waiting for the food, T. Bear and I opened our bounce box and I decided to check my e-mail. There was one message that really upset my from a person named Pat Foot Notes. They read my trailjournal and left a pretty nasty comment in my guestbook. Well, Pat Foot Notes, If you don't enjoy reading my journal, stop reading it. Also, if you're going to leave a negative comment, make it constructive. So, I bought a bag of Hot Fries and Lipton's Brisk Iced Tea because I was still hungry. Then, we walked back to the Hostel and gorged on our snacks. I checked with the preacher and he said that my package had not arrived. So, if it's not at the Post Office in the morning, I'm just gonna push on to Bland because I have 2.5 days worth of food in my bounce box and I'll have them forward my mail drop to Pearisburg. Oh! I met my first SOBO (South Bounder) today. His name is FAITHFUL and he went SoBo last year, had to get off for a bit, and is finishing up his hike now. It's pretty funny listening to him and Fester talk because they're both from Maine and talking about L.L. Bean and other ME related things like Moose and no switched back mnts!!!