Date: 2008-03-24
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 92.7
Weather: broken clouds

I am so thankful to be able to update this because it means I am in a place to recupaerate. Heidi has opened her home to three STINKY thru-hikers... I have stinky armpits, Torchy Flambeaux (fka Amazon) has stinky feet, and Vagus has a stinky sleeping bag. If you all only knew....Torchy Flambeaux has EARNED her name...she caught herself on fire thanks to tipping her alcohol stove at Pine Swamp Shelter. It was unreal...she is okay, though, by the grace of God. We ran into a huge group of NOBOs at Pine Swamp- the shelter without a roof. Torchy and I tented it next to Vagus that night. In the past week we were able to pump out some good miles, walking several 20+ mile days. The longest hike was yesterday- 23.5 miles. We walked through some beautiful land with some incredible views. Tinker Cliffs and McAfree Knob yesterday were very cool. The weather has been favorable lately, which I am counting as blessings for sure. We also encountered trail magic, thanks to Hubcap!! I was able to pick up a Gatorade, some crackers, AN ORANGE, and a star crunch. MMMMM... I have hiked several miles alone. This is nice at times and other times I want to hike with other people. I have had some pretty neat times of prayer while walking when I am alone... I have had some good conversation with folks when I walk. Ultimately, I think both walking alone and with someone have their benefits... I am realizing I still have so much to learn about myself, God...about life in general and other people. Vagus left Torchy and I for two evenings, but he managed to leave us little clues he was in front of us- a tangerine with his name carved in it (pic to come soon) and a wrapper from the drink mix he enjoys ( atomic punch).... This left Torchy and I to hike on and we spent those two nights with Dozer, Dr. Pepper, Willow, Merlin, Lily, Tabasco... I have enjoyed my time with other thru-hikers, but it is not quite as fun as the Tres Amigos... We welcomed Spring- it was a chillier day on the 20th... but it has been very pleasant since. HELLO SPRING. The nights are overall warmer than we've been used to. I like it though- I can sleep better at night... Well, unless Vagus has woken me up to partake in a 3am cracker and candy snack or if someone reaches for their pee bottle... Crazy folks in the shelters and all of our quirky habits/routines. This is a good life out here in the woods. I am still in awe this is my life.. and I am thankful to be out here with these people.Easter was spent hiking across some beautiful terrain... Thank God the sun was shining. I slept at Lambert's Meadows shelter with Dozer, Vagus, Torchy, and Jeff...Shower time for me. Everyone else is cleaned up, except for me. Vagus is fast asleep on the couch...we're all beat. It is 3:30 and we have already done our food shopping. The rest of the night is RELAX time.. WOOHOO... I will try to put some pictures up later. Please keep the comments coming. Those of you who have posted, it is much appreciated. I will comment back when I get off of the trail. Enjoy the day, folks..Pictures are added, but I don't have the energy or time to edit them all today... look through them and enjoy... I will try to update the info on them another time.