Date: 2005-03-27
From: Rock Gap (the Keely residence)

To: Franklin, NC (Haven Inn)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

3.27.05Day 1412:45pm My two week anniversary! Hard to believe that it's been afortnight already. Life is so unbelievably different. I can't evenreally wrap my brain around the idea that I was working, I wasemployed in manual labor, less than a month ago. It seems a lifetimeago. A lifetime, and a lifetime of unnecessary baggage, which weighsa helluva lot more than the measly 40#s I tote around now. Thoreauhad the right idea, up there by that lake in the woods. The simple,deliberate life. You treasure and value and appreciate everything,every-little-thing, so much, when you forego them.Speaking of treasuring the small things -- last night? What a treat. What an unexpected, incomparably generous, extravagant treat. Wordscan't do that display of hospitality justice, you can't wrap it upinto a conveniently labelled package, but I'll try to convey at leasta parcel of it. We first encountered Swiss Miss at Big SpringShelter, where she was doling out Easter candy. We all partook, andwhen she offered to house us for the night, all it took was a briefglance b/t the 4 of us before the decision was mde. We were gonnasleep under an honest-to-goodness roof tonight. And boy, didwe sleep in the lap of luxury. Swiss Miss breezed past us, w/ hersprightly stride, at Rock Gap Shelter. She met us, at the gap of thesame name, w/ her car, where we physically muscled our 4 backpacks,and 8 poles (or rather, 6 poles, and the sad remains of 2), into thetrunk. Cuppa Joe had to eviscerate his pack in order to squish it in,like sardines. Then, we crammed our aromatic selves into the littleAcura, for a 45-minute scenic drive, through farm country, alongwinding, curvy roads. Thankfully, no one was susceptible tocar-sickness. As we drove up her driveway and saw her house, in itsabsolutely picturesque setting -- green grass, flower beds, catsscattering hither and yon (we counted 15 at feeding time this morning)-- we were all suitably awestruck. We would, after all, be spendingthe night in this oasis of (sur)reality. We were heartily welcomed,despite our less-than-pleasantly aromatic and uncouth appearances, byPaul and Sherrie, and directed to the basement, our home for theevening. We quickly rotated ourselves through the shower (in aclaw-footed bathtub, no less), and nothing felt so heavenly. I didn'teven mind donning my rain gear while my clothes took a bath of theirown in the washing machine. I must admit, the water turned a ratherdisgusting shade of brown as I scrubbed my feet; even though I wearsocks, w/ my sandals, the dirt somehow manages to seep through thefabric, creating a dirt-encrusted pattern on my feet, mirroring thestraps of my sandals. But, freshly-scrubbed and smelling sweet, wefelt ready to face the world, and the family upstairs. For dinner,the most amazing spread of food was arrayed afore us. Sherrie cookedhomemade veggie burgers, and a bean dish, and some chicken/rice stewthing -- I didn't pay much attention to the latter, but themeat-eaters seemed to thoroughly enjoy it. A sesame seed bun, somemustard, ketchup, seasoned salt, freshly ground pepper, spinach --that burger was the most delectable specimen ever. I had two. Atdinner, we were also introduced to Harrison and Marcus, Swiss Miss'syounger brothers, known in previous lives as Abbott and Costello. Acomedic pair, those two. Weatherman pulled out his camera, to capturethe edible smorgasboard for posterity. Well, two more camerasappeared out of thin air, in the hands of the comedy brothers. The 4of us were soon blinded by the flashes of the paparazzi twins. Oncethe photographic session ceased, then the questions began. We werepeppered by an endless, incessant barrage, but I can't deny that weweren't given fair warning -- Swiss Miss told us, as we climbed intoher car, that her brothers love when guests come over. They'regreat guys though, even if the jokes and riddles were a little weak. (What does a black rock become when a white man throws it into the RedSea? Wet.) The entire family is wonderful, and I can't possiblythank them enough. Harrison and Marcus, in addition to perfectingtheir comedic act, are also extremely attentive hosts. Before any ofus could even think of asking for more water, the glass wastaken from our hands, and returned instantaneously, brimming w/delicious well water. And Harrison practically spoon-fed each of usour dessert of Jello, plus nutella-slathered ginger snaps. (He wouldhave literally hoisted the spoons if we had only asked.) We didremain up well past our bedtime (pushing 10pm!), and ourearlier thoughts of watching a movie on the wide-screen TV weresquashed by our exhaustion. We even resisted the temptingly-couchedrequests for a rousing game of Cranium. My brain just didn't have themental stamina to participate. But, I slept like a log. On thefloor. Break, once again, was the only one to claim a bed; Weathermantook the couch, while CJ and I sprawled on the floor. Woke up at 5this morning, but just couldn't bring myself to physically get up 'tilI heard the clock chime 6. It's amazing, the tiny, inconsequentialthings that portray a sense of 'normalcy'; things you don'tconsciously notice, like the tick-tock of a grandfather clock, or thesizzling hiss of a hot griddle. But those slight things are socomforting. (The roof overhead during the overnight rain wasn't soawful either.) And this morning, we emerged from the basement to ahot breakfast of seven-grain and, wonder of wonders, pineapple! De-licious. But, sadly, following that hearty meal, we had to partways w/ the de-lightful Keely's. Swiss Miss shuttled us intoFranklin, to the Haven Inn, where we've been slumming all day, doingall those tedious town errands. Like ordering pizza and watchingmindless Hollywood entertainment. Tomorrow, I pick up my maildrops,sign my tax forms, tinker w/ my brand-spankin' new Pocketmail toy,call Leki about a replacement pole, and get myself back on the trail. Sorry that today's entry was all about yesterday, but it's so easy toget behind on the whole journaling thing -- blink, and it's tomorrowalready. So, here's a list of the folks I've seen today (in noparticular order) -- CJ, Break, Weatherman, Gypsy Lulu, Took,Bassline, Raz, Mothergoose, Mad Dog, Yellow Jacket, Captain Chaos,Slickrock, Low Gear, Jake Brake, Runaway, Grey Walrus, Pathfinder,Phillip, Krazy Katie, Radio, Kineo Kid.