Date: 2004-05-14
From: Troutdale, VA

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: scattered clouds

12.4 miles in 5 hoursUp with the birds at 5:45 then back down to the Troutdale Trading Post for eggs, sausage, biscuits and brown gravy (secret: scorch the flour to make the color; no beef juice needed)Raven asked an elderly patron for a ride back to the trail and we were off by 7:15 AM. He had come in for night crawlers, he said, because fishing was all he could do after a lifetime of smoking and 40 years working with fiberglass in the defense industry. He carried a portable oxygen unit with nasal airway and said his son was headed in the same direction.Raven was headed to meet a former hiking partner, Hikerhead, who was taking him back to rockin' Damascus for the trail festivities. I was the first to meet him on the trail, and was startled at him recognizing me. He's been reading my trail account since Raven told him about it.I felt bad about declining his offer for a ride into Damascus for the day only, but I felt I was racing the early thunderstorms we've been having lately and wanted to be in a shelter by downpour time. He laid a banana and some excellent root beer on me just the same. Thanks, HH.The miles flew by on mostly smooth trails and easy grades. Got to Trimpi by 1 PM, plenty of time to get to Partnership Shelter 10 miles ahead. But the clouds gathered up so I had a good lunch and then...a nap.The three young section-hiking collegians, Slackpacker, Mtn. Mama and Whoopsie-Daisy all came by around 3, having started out later from Troutdale. They're on the same routine of hiking big miles in the morning and getting to a shelter by early afternoon before the summer storms hit.Trailside streamThis strategy keeps us and our gear dry but limits our miles. Frustrating baby steps, while the trail is calling for big miles. But the stalled summer "Bermuda High" weather pattern should move away in several days, we're told.How Tastes do Change: Since beginning in Georgia I've altered my menu. Goodby to: macs & cheese (ack), couscous! no matter what's thrown in it(ack ack), and Little Debbie, we must say goodbye. Your little sugar buzz is exciting for the moment but won't get me up the mountain ahead. Same to you, Snickers bars. Sugar alone doesn't do the trick. Instant Oatmeal is too much trouble to cook in the morning, and takes too long to eat when hot.Hello to: Tuna and sardines on pita or tortilla wraps for lunch. Yum! And does it ever get me over the hills!Good ole gorp with plenty of M&M's is going down easier than ever. Carnation Instant Breakfast and dry cereal with powdered milk make for a goodly breakfast. Slim Jims and processed cheese combos. Spiced meat byproducts! Salt! Grease! Nitrates! Yum! I feel more confident finding my way around supermarkets now, and won't need to depend so much on food from home.It's a homey scene here at Trimpi. The Virginians started a fire in the shelter's fireplace, and are singing gospel tunes and running knock-knock jokes. I love their positive attitude and high spirits. There are a lot of devout young people on the trail.Time for bed. The rain has slackened so the roar on the tin roof has lessened. It smells fresh and wet out there. A good night for sleeping.G'nite! Now-or-Never