Date: 2011-07-07
From: Home Visit

To: Five Ticks=New Haircut
Miles today: 0.0

I have been enjoying a splendid couple of days with my dear friend, Angus. Naturally, as happens with me on a regular basis, none of our plans has worked out quite as we'd hoped, but we are having a lovely time nonetheless. Our original plan had been to shuttle approximately five days' hiking away from Pearisburg, where I last left the trail, then hike back to Pearisburg and Angus' car. At that time, we planned that she would shuttle me back up the trail to where we'd left off, then she would return to Austin, while I continued on my merry way to Maine. Unfortunately, the weather had other plans for us, as you've read. After the fiasco with the cows and the storm, Angus and I needed a town stop in which to clean up and regroup.We stayed at a Comfort Inn in Roanoke, where we washed the manure and death smells from our clothes and gear. We enjoyed a luxurious night in a real hotel, then set about making a plan for the next day. We watched the Weather Channel, where we were dismayed to learn that storms were forecast for every day for a week to come. As neither of us were terribly enthusiastic to return to the trail in thunderstorm conditions, particularly after the excitement of the previous day, we decided to return to Pearisburg, where Angus' car was parked, then reevaluate the possibilities.The room we rented in Pearisburg was a complete dive. I am convinced that it was the white-trash headquarters of the world. Previously, we'd stayed at another dive where there'd been no water pressure (the Rendezvous), so we felt certain that we'd have better luck elsewhere. Another hotel in town wouldn't accept dogs, so we were forced to take a room in the only remaining hotel in town, the Plaza (I believe). Much to our delight, not only was there no water pressure there either, but there was no working television, and most of the lights were non-functioning, too. They also gave us a room with no toilet paper, but fortunately we both had TP in our packs, so no worries there. With regard to our neighbors, well let's just say that Angus declared that she had never seen so many shirtless men with so many tattoos in her life. There was a decided lack of personal hygiene, too. Additionally, toothpaste is a luxury that many of these folks simply forgo. Still, we had a place to sleep in relative comfort. We ran into a couple of hikers I know, Imagine and Paul with Bunions, and spent a couple of entertaining hours listening to PWB spin his tales. We made a plan to do some day hikes in the coming days, weather permitting, as the forecasted showers made doing a long stretch on the trail decidedly unappealing. We hoped to hike up Dragon's Tooth, which is where we encountered that wonderful storm, then head to McAffe's Knob, which is the most photographed spot along the AT. In the meantime, phone calls home convinced me that my presence there is needed. My family is missing me, and I have decided to go home. I will be returning to my Austin home with Angus, and along the way we'll be making a couple of fun stops so that I can show her some of my trail highlights. I hope to return to the trail in short order, if possible, but my family is my first priority, and I need to go home and make sure they are well and okay with my return to the trail. If so, I intend to head to Maine in a week or two and hike south hereafter (it's known as flip-flopping). If not, my hike may be coming to an end. If that is the case, I accept it, and I do not feel that I have failed. I have demonstrated to myself that I have what it takes to thru-hike, and perhaps a day will come when I try again. I have grown stronger mentally and physically, and I have found peace in my heart. I have renewed my belief that the world is, indeed, a beautiful place despite our tragedy, and I embrace life as I have never done before. Whether I return to the trail or not, I am a changed woman, and I will forever cherish this experience. I could never have done it without the love and support of my husband and hero, Pat, who made it all possible. To make a long story short, I will be returning to Austin with Angus for as long as is necessary, perhaps to stay. In the meantime, Angus and I will play as we make our way home. Our play has already included a trip to the Grayson Highlands yesterday and today, followed by a drive to Damascus, where we are bedding down in a beautiful hostel, Hiker's Inn. Tomorrow's play entails a bike ride along the Virginia Creeper Trail, then we'll head back to Texas.I'm rather nervous about returning home, as I no longer look like a woman; I look like a little boy with breasts. After the fifth tick on my scalp in as many days, I headed to a barber and told them to cut all of my hair off. Now I regret it. I thought it would have time to grow out before my loved ones in Austin saw it, but that is not to be. Brace yourselves, family and friends...I look like...well, let's just say that the look is decidedly unfeminine.Right now Angus is having a shower, then a nap, and I thought it would be the perfect time to walk to the local library and catch up on my blog as best I can. My computer that I carry with me isn't working properly, so I have been unable to post. The posts of late have been made from whatever computer I have been able to access from the towns I have passed through.This post is rather disjointed and I might edit it later, but you get the idea about what's up. I'll keep you posted about the future of my hike. In the meantime, Happy Trails to one and all!