Date: 2010-05-24
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

So here I sit going on hour 3 at the local Hardees here in Pearisburg, VA. This is the only place I could find internet access. This is a funny town. I walked to the downtown section earlier today and was thrown aback by the fact that half of the shops in Pearisburg are vacant and closed down. Is this a product of a recession in the area of sorts? I don't know. There was, however, a lot of Civil War heritage to the town and I'm a huge Civil War buff so I sat there and read all of the little statues.Another peculiar thing happened. When I awoke from my motel slumber, I went to the main office to tell them I wanted to stay another night. "No can do," was the reply from Linda, the motel lady. "No vacancy." Really? All of a sudden all of the rooms are filled up including the room that I was already in? So, I had to pack up all of my stuff and head to the "other" motel in town (right next store) where they had plenty of vacancies. Weird.Anyways, I am zeroing today. I am just tryiing to rest and recover. I want to get through Virginia and be in MD by June 18. So far, I am really enjoying my Virginia experience. A lot of people experience the "Virginia Blues" where they get tired of walking in the same state and become kinda depressed or something. Not me. I find this state quite beautiful and the people very nice. The only thing wrong with Virginia is that theres always a possibility of rain but you can't really blame that on the state. So, hows my mental state after 616.5 or so miles? Quite good, actually. I love hiking and I love the ability to think all day. I guess I had some thinking to do before I left. I have blisters that are in the process of healing as callasses (no idea how to spell that) but I'm in pretty good physical shape. I've lost about 35 lbs which is the most out of everyone I've talked to but I think that my body is returning back to its original shape. I was a little hefty before I left. I plan on going back to work out once I return to the real world. The only thing I can think about that causes me any distress is I'm a little stressed about money and stuff. I'll be fine but it still causes me stress and I try not to think about it out here. I have got full faith that God will provide for me in one way or another. I will not lose that Faith.I can't believe I've been out for almost two months. The friends I have made and the memories are something I will carry with me forever. Honestly, I am so proud of being a thru hiker on the AT. I am so proud of the fact I get the honor of doing this for Cornerstone Crossroads Academy. Theres not a day that goes by that I'm not thankful for this opportunity. I know I'm not a perfect example for God but I try to be and it makes this hike so much more exciting to me to be able to do that. I am truly accomplishing what I had hoped to before I left: to dull down my senses, find my real priorities in life (eating, surviving, etc), and to make sure I apply these positive changes for the rest of my life.Thank you to all who leave guest book entries. You don't know how much it means to read them. Thank you to those that send me stuff. Its such an awesome feeling to get a care package in the mail no matter what it is (food, chaffing creme hahaha etc). Thank you to all of those that pray for me. Some days thats all that can get me through. Thank you to all of those that are following me through my blog and videos. I love doing it. Just an overall thank you to everyone for your support. Finally, I know I say this a lot, but thank you to God for giving me this opportunity. I'm not always 100% sure whats going to come out of this but with my faith in you I know it will be good. Don't forget about CCA and those lives we have the ability to help. Lastly, if you're reading this and not sure about your life or whats going on in it, just remember the theme for my journey might help you. Luke 1:37 "For nothing is impossible with God"