Date: 2004-05-24
From: Davis Farm Campsite

To: Big Walker Hotel
Miles today: 14.5

Firstly, I understand my dear friend Jeff Spencer has posted my pictures on this site. I'm eternally grateful to Jeff for taking on this task for me. Because I have a digital camera I'm taking a lot of pictures hoping enough of them will be of interest and good quality to enhance this online journal. I also apologize that the last posting was May 5th. Access to computer has diminished in frequency for me and I've never had envelope or postage to get the pages in the mail. This week I should be in Pearisburg where I hope to get online and get it updated.So today~~Last night was perfect sleeping weather. A brisk, cool, refreshing breeze was blowing through my tent all night. About the time I was thinking I should have hung my rain jacket out to dry, a few raindrops started splattering. So I just stayed tucked into my bag and enjoyed the evening air.At 5:30 I was wide awake and full of energy. Once one person starts stirring the others are close behind. This morning I initiated the movement. In spite of my high energy level my attitude was pretty poor. Yesterday was quite a beater and I feared repetition of those climbs today. But with only a couple exceptions it was an easy go all day. Three miles beyond our night's camp we stopped at Jenkins Shelter. Here was the loveliest privy ~ the "Feed Me" privy; very creative, reminding me of something my daughter would do. I took a picture.On the wall of the shelter was a notice:"Free food for hikers9:30 - 12:00 MondayNew Hope ChurchShuttle will be waiting for youat #615 five miles north"It is now 9:oo. Can we do five miles in two hours? No problem! Ready, set, GO. We tackled the first climb with newfound energy and then dropped to a wet forest floor. We decided someone was playing games with us as we were to cross the same stream 12 times according to the handbook, but I counted over 20 crossings. It was like an obstacle course with every crossing being wider and a little deeper. But the Swan won the grand prize as the only one emerging at #615 with dry boots!Off to the church for nourishment. What an incredible gift given by the Appalachian Trail Outreach Ministry of the Round Mountain Methodist Church congregations. They had a vegetarian plate ready for me: veggie egg casserole, grits, bananas, fried apples, muffin, bars, pumpkin bread, apple juice, and my favorite ~ a light, summery cucumber salad. Pastor Alan played hymns on guitar while hikers sang (I ate). The cuisine was served up with generosity, smiles, and love. Pictures were taken and questions asked and answered. Reluctantly we had to return to the trail, but not before we were wished safe journeys and God's blessings. Being the touch-feely-huggy type person I am, I gave each trail angel a hug and didn't remember until I walked out the door how smelly and grungy I was. Hope I didn't offend them! Sorry Ladies! By the time I made it out with goody bag in hand (they gave each hiker a baggie full of more bars, bread and cookies) I was very teary-eyed. Aside from the day I first injured my knee, I believe today was the first time I've actually cried out here. All of a sudden this whole scenario was overwhelming - the hard work, the magnificent vistas, the camaraderie, the love, the sharing, the challenge, the spirituality, the trail magic, the fears, the memories of days already passed, the anticipation of the unknown still ahead. So I cried for no real reason at all .... except for the fact I had just stuffed myself silly and now had to strap on a pack and hike seven more miles.Fortunately, the terrain wasn't too tough and we had time to digest our meal before the first climb. Oh, and let's not forget the huge cooler full of apple juice, orange juice, grape juice and V-8 buried deep in ice for dehydrated hikers. Two trail magics in one day!In Bland, VA via hitch with postmistress, we were too late to retrieve our maildrop at the post office. So we took a room, enjoyed a relaxing evening, and secured a ride to the post office, grocery store and trailhead in the morning. Another day full of surprise and magic. Thank you one and all. God's blessings.