Date: 2004-07-07
From: Big Meadows wayside VA

To: Front Royal VA
Miles today: 7.8

Wednesday July, 7th 11am, (Gather) made it to Big Meadows Wayside, Lodge and Campground. Will resupply here and keep moving. Although it's tempting to get a room at the Lodge and stay the night, but I heard through the grapevine Slimer is closing inhe is 100.2 miles behind me. Two weeks ago he was 251 miles behind me, only because I took some time off. Called home all ok there, Mom said Slimer should be calling in today, maybe. 45.3 miles to Front Royal VA, closing in on Harpers Ferry WV and the halfway point. Guess all you folks at home are wondering how we come up with all the distance and miles between. I have with me two books,Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers Companion and a Appalachian Trail Data Book. These two are a must have out here, Mom and dad have a set at home plus all the topo maps of the trail. Dad even has a full length map of the trail on the wall at home with red and yellow pins stuck in it at every point Slimer and I call in. Mom and Dad can almost predict when we will call. Oh well have resupplied and will hit the trail again, Front Royal here I come, wet and stinkyflashing my wicked grin putting one foot in front of the other.Wednesday July 7th, the Slimer (Jorma) called about 7:30 pm from Montebello VA at a grocery store on Fish Hatchery Road, 92.9 miles from his last stop. so much for the light pack and having to stop more often. Slimer stopped beside the trail yesterday to pick blackberry's, was standing in the patch and looked down at his feet, there coiled beside his foot almost touching it was a Copper Head Snake coiled and ready to strike. Slimer froze thinking of what to do, the parkway was about a quarter mile from where he was standing, so if I get bit maybe I can make it to the highway. Slimer slowly inched his foot back and when he was far enough back he got the heck out of there. all the time the snake was coiled ready to strike but never moved. Mr. Slimer will now pay more attention where he puts his foot the next time. Warning to all you hikers, snakes love to hang around berry patches because birds and mice come to eat the berries. Slimer has averaged almost 20 miles per day since Troutville, not bad.Slimer mentioned he met up with K-Bear and Gary at one of the shelters. Also met up with "Slow Barbara" from Texas "Grettle" a Teacher from around Dallas TX. The Blues Brothers, Spare Pocket , K-Bear is from Sidney Australia. Met up with "Messy Garage" "Semicolon" . K-Bear had been finding the trail Magic Slimer had been leaving behind and thanked him for it. Slimer came upon a local swimming hole where the local's hung out, decided to rest and watch the gang swimming. One local guy came over and offered him his choice between a diet Dr. Pepper or a beer, Slimer took the Dr. Pepper, the guy also gave him two fresh cucumbers from his garden which Slimer devoured instantly. Now you need to know this, at home Slimer would never ever eat a cucumber, think maybe that might be the first time. Just goes to show your eating habits will change when you're hungry. There is another story ol Slimer told to me regarding some Krispy-Kreame Donuts (Spare Pockets was involved in this one) but I dare not tell until Slimer clears it to be put in his journal. Slimer met a local guy walking two Poodle's on the trail, he invited Slimer and "Semicolon"home for dinner that night, they declined, the guy worked at the Post Office in Glasgow VA, what a nice person. Well Slimer is pretty well fixed up for the night, he is staying at the Dutch Haus B&B off Fish Hatchery Road, and he said it was super nice, nice room, internet computer in room, all you could ask for and free breakfast in the morning, and all this for $25.00. Beautiful Log Homeon ten Acres, front porch with swing. Slimer will leave there early in the morning he has a 2.2 mile evil, wicked climb to get back on the trail. He is coming upon the Priest which is three very sharpe peaks in a row. next stop Waynesboro VA, 39 miles. Slimer said he saw three Bears yesterday, or he saw the same one three times, they were moving away from him.Take care Gather and Slimer, Good Luck and Godspeed to the both of you,