Date: 2004-05-07
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Atkins, Va
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

Another Gorgeous Day! I awoke and packed up early. Fire Marshall, Krispy, and I started at 7:30am after quick goodbyes and a group photo. The sky was clear and the weather soon began to ascend towards 90 degrees. The surroundings were green with May Apples strewn about in full bloom. May apples look like nature's parasol with the flower below its umbrella. We also passed ragwort and violets and the air just felt fresh. The first 5 miles went over 3 smaller mountains and the terrain was rocky. Once we hit the top of the 3rd mountain it was all down from there.Fire Marshall and I had hiked ahead and were cruising at a 3 mile per hour pace. I was eager to get to town to pay my bills (less stress) and we both were eager for Dairy Queen. We walked briskly over rockes and around a stream until we reached a shelter at 10:05am. Our break was short and we left with 4.5 miles to Dairy Queen. After 1.8 miles however we took a break when we arrived at "The Shelter's Museum". The settler's museum wsa so cool. They had a school house circa 1890. I pretended to be the teacher and then started at the "Readers" actually copyrighted 1876. On the wall was the rules for teachers as of 1872. Apparently if a teacher "attended church regularly" hey could have "2 nights per week for courting purposes". In addition after 5 years a teacher could receive a "25 cent per week raise". I was so amazed that the museum was right off the trail.While there we also spoke with a lady who worked there. She is a certified 2nd grade school teacher and teaches classes in the school house in the way they would have in 1894.   I lost interest in what she was saying however when I saw the kittens. There were 2 kittens, both black and they were adorable! One was shy and the other percosious, but I managed to play with both of them. They chased sticks in circles and jumped about with curiosity. They were possibly the highlight of my day and I wished I could put one in my pack (I didn't). Despite the kittens, we did manage to leave.The last 2.7 miles traversed simply gorgeous mountain valleys. Soon we came through a clearing and for the first time I saw I-81 in the distance. I used to travel on I-81 all the time while visiting my relatives in Alabama. This only made the descent to Atkins sweeter. My mind was torn between amazement at the beauty around me and a desire to eat at Dairy Queen. I managed to handle both and at 12:30 we arrived at the Trail Crossing.Within 10 minutes we secured a room and headed to DQ. Fire Marshall, myself, and Sam I Am (a section hiker) sat to eat. I had ordered a large double bacon cheeseburger meal with coke when the cashier interupted to tell me the price. I ignored him and explained that I also wanted a chili cheesedog; he went to tell me the price again, but I was not done. Finally I completed my order with a large peanut butter blizzard... yum. The cashier looked at me in shock. I laughed, paid him,a nd then devoured my meal. Then I returned to the hotel to unpack and shower. AAH! I love showers. My first goal for the day was to pay bills at the Library. I caught a hitch into the fine town of Marion from a preacher and was there by about 3:45pm. The library was however closed . Instead I wandered around main street, ate jelly beans, and had dinner at a cute cafe. It was so quaint. I needed a ride home so my waitress offered me on when she got off (ha, ha). I had a drink while I waited and sat contemplating.It bothered me as I realized how I let stress invade and I struggle to give all to God. I also realize I told some risque jokes last night for the sake of humor I often struggle between a desire to be clean and a desire to entertain. I am reading Phillipians 4 which covers both of these issues. Rather than beat myself up I am trusting both issues to God.My waitress' replacement never came so I did not leave until near midnight. I enjoyed talking to locals who "have some kin-folk in Maryland". I realize I might need to learn about NASCAR too, if I ever lived down here. I talked about my hike, answered some questions, and played a few video games. When I left (she did give me a ride) I talked to my driver about her "problems with her parole officer". I love Marion, Va!! I arrived home (safely) at 12:30 and said Goodnight. Now I'll say it again.Goodnight.BEATBOX ttt