Date: 2006-07-02
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Calf Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: broken clouds

Hey, hey, gonna wash those Virginia blues away. I'm sitting along Skyline Drive that runs through the Shenandoahs. A day off my feet (does 10 miles into and around town sound like a day off?) and reflecting back on all the fun stuff. VA has brought to me has me ready to go again. It's only anothe 100 miles or so. Said goodbyes to Ollie and Zamboni, they got a ride from a local trail angel up to Charlottesville. And I must add Carol to my list of angels. We struck up a conversation outside the lobby at Quality Inn. We talked hiking and the AT. I mentioned we needed a ride, and she generously offered to take us out to the trail head. I'd already called 6 or 8 locals to no avail. Sunday and 4th of July holiday? Ha. Just as she was offereing, Porkchop and Jackson and Gene came round the corner. We unloaded all the stuff from her minivan so we could fit us and our gear in. Thanks sweetie, you made my day--be sure to write!I talked to Cari this morning. Gonna nix the Bob Schneider show, logistics would be a bit much. I'd rather chill at her place for a couple of days. She might pick me up this weekend at Terrapin Station, we'll work that out in a couple of days. Saw Storyteller and 46er, they were coming into town for the day. Shoryteller took a fall the other day, but she's feeling better, yeah! She told me Diesel was happy to hear we were closeby on the trail. Damn, it just all works out somehow.In for the night at Calf Mountain Sheleter. A big seven miles today, so much for busting out 20's through the Shenandoahs. There's a whole bunch of us qued up here. Porkchop, Jackson, Gene, Nitech, Stoker, Mash, Lowkey, Pro from Dover. Pro is playing guitar and what a treat to hear. We've all finished dinner, and are pretty quiet, reading, writing, planning. The other night at Johns Hollow, MacGuyner, Chad, Hitch, and I were talking mostly about the eveils of the world, environmental issues, volunteerism, activism. We all sadly agreed that in essence, the America we live in is driven by capitalist greed. Eventhing else be damned. Another point that stuck with me is that we're (homosapien) probably still better suited to live as cave people that we are for this hectic, hitech pressure, hitech life. I think I agree. I've often felt like I wanted to live in an earlier, simpler time. Well, this is a pretty simple and basic existence. I feel a freedom of spirit I've not had before. My experiences have enriched me. I'm blessed with the kindness of strangers everywhere I go. I do, of course, realize that if I took my pack and poles off, stood on a corner as stinky, unkempt, and crazy looking as I do, people would think I was just another homeless freak and throw rocks and sticks at me. Ha! Seriously, I've become more patients and relaxed, calmer, friendlier, more sincere, and understanding with people all around me. I'm greatful that my daily decisions are all pretty simple, when to wake, when to walk, when to get water, when to eat, when to sleep. I've made some good and some bad decisions along the way, but they've been mine and I made them. I need to make sure that when I get back to the other world out there, I'm able to hold onto all of this and keep it fresh and real inside of me. It's a neat joy to know that everything you need can be carried in your heart and on your back.