So, I posted how it went with the Awesome M.I.L on the trail, but I have not mentioned anything since then. I have acquired a new hiking friend and enjoy his company immensely.
On Sunday, 5 June 2005, Spice Rack and I left the Awesome M.I.L and her wonderful husband, Jim, around 11am to head out on a 24mile trek. Bad idea to start so late in the day. We had intentions of making it to Elk Wallow Gap Wayside in Shenandoah National Park before they closed at 5:30pm. That meant we would have to do about 18miles in 6 hours. We did not think it was possible but held onto the idea! It did not work! We got there around 6:30pm to find everything closed as well as the bathrooms. We entertained thoughts of staying there for the night and getting shakes in the morning, but decided after cooking ourselves dinner we would move on! About 9pm, we took off for our last 5.5miles of the day! Yup! In the dark we headed for the hills. It was crazy, but I felt secure as long as I had someone to hike with in the dark. Night hiking was really neat, but I've realized I need a brighter light. It was a little hard to see everything and not trip over rocks. As a matter of fact, I did trip and went all the way to the ground. Spice Rack helped me up and we moved on to great views of the night sky! The night was beautiful but tiring. We pulled into the shelter at true midnight versus hiker midnight (9pm). What a day!
The next day we planned a stop in Front Royal to pick up Spice Rack's P.O. drop. Since we did not get Mountain Blackberry shakes in the park, I decided I wanted a Wendy's Frosty in town and thus joined Spice Rack on his hitch into town. It was another scalding day and we hung out in the P.O. and any air conditioned location we could find. Then it was back to the trail where we stayed at the Jim & Molly Denton Shelter for the night. Nice cold shower there got the heart racing, but felt good to be slightly clean. Ran into Freeheel and Motorin again. It was nice to see friendly faces again.
In the morning, we were still at the shelter when in rolled Iron Foot. Now, some of you may remember I started with Iron Foot back when he was named Kyle. I helped name him Iron Foot. It was great to see him and for the past 2 days Spice Rack and I have been playing leap frog with he and his british companions, GG & Slip.
Currently, I am at Bears Den Hostel awaiting the arrival of my friend, Susan, from DC. She is going to stay the night here with Spice Rack and I. We did the 10miles here over the Dreaded Rollercoaster Section (which was more like a log flume than a true rollercoaster) before 1pm. We then headed down to have lunch at the Horseshoe Curve Restaurant with Iron Foot, GG, & Slip. Nothing like fried food and beer on a hot day. Spice Rack and I left our packs at the Bears Den and hiked down to the restaurant so we just had to hike back up a mile. Upon return it was a great shower with some after bath splash to make me feel like a lady again! No stinky girl here! That will change in the heat tomorrow as I descend upon Harpers Ferry. Will be there tomorrow night with the intention of taking a day off to check out the place!
Hope all is going well with my friends and family throughout the country. For those reading this, please make sure and either email, write, or call my husband to congratulate him on winning his first marathon over memorial day weekend. Also, commend him on a job well done this past weekend at yet another marathon! He won his age group and ran the marathon in 3:15hours+/-. Do go to the link and check out how he is doing with his races. He needs the support since I am not there to give it to him! I hope he knows how much I send out all my positive energy to him on each of his race days and worry about him all day! I look forward to town stops when I can check it out and see how he is doing! My husband is my best friend in the world as well as my motivator and inspiration for many things. Thank you my love and continue to do well in your races! My love is always with you!
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Monday, June 06, 2005
The Awesome M.I.L
Well, I am back on the trail and for the last week I brought my mother-in-law (M.I.L) with me. She was quite the trooper! Here is my version of our time together. She is suppose to write Mike with her version of the trail!
The greyhound ride back to Waynesboro, VA was worse than the ride to AnnArbor, MI. I think every bus we took from AnnArbor to Stauton, VA was the oldest and dirtiest buses they owned! We had a 2+ hour layover in Detroit, where the awesome M.I.L was unable to defend against the crazies. I think she helped me attract them! That was an experience. Both guys who talked to us thought she was my sister. We were glad to leave there.
Upon arrival in Waynesboro, VA, we went to the P.O. to mail some items up the trail. As we waited at the P.O. for it to open, in walks One Thing. It was good to see a familiar face especially someone I had started with. I realized trail life was going to be just as good as it was in the beginning. While I took care of my package, M.I.L met another thru-hiker named Beam and chatted a bit with her. As we headed out of the building, One Thing informed me Woody and Irma were not at the hostel thus no reason to take M.I.L to meet them. Infront of the P.O., a gentleman asked if we were headed to the trail today to which we replied, "yes!" He then asked if we were walking or did we want a ride. It does not take much convincing for a thru-hiker to accept an easy hitch, so off we went. He stopped by the outfitters on the way to the trail only to find it closed! So, it was off to the trail.
It was a slow go on the first day due to both of us lacking sleep. We did a pace of just over 1mile per hour. It was crazy, but I was just glad to be back on the trail. That night at the shelter, we met Box of Fun, Ange, Mouth, Hemlock Muppet, Birdy, and Hunter. It was also my introduction to the Bear Poles in Shenandoah national park. We had a blast hanging bear bags in the evening as well as taking them down the next day. The pole we used to put the bags up was heavier than most of us could lift on our own, so we were quite a sight! It was tons of laughs.
The next day was M.I.L's first 13mile day. I think we both were a little nervous, but confident she would make it. We were slow and steady and had a great time. It was a sunny day but not a hot day. Still some fog, but it made for an enjoyable hike. At the shelter on the second night, more people I had started with arrived. It was great! I was excited to see Bootleg as he was my beacon in the snowstorm back from Helen, GA to Hiawassee, GA. M.I.L got to meet more people and the shelter was fuller than the night before. It was shaping up to be a good hike.
Then came the rain the next day! We both knew she would not escape 2 weeks on the AT without rain, but was unsure of how it would work out. We had fun despite the wetness and coldness. It was the first day we came across a wayside/campstore in the Park. We arrived to find a group of thru-hikers hanging out in the laundry room. M.I.L and I bought some food and joined the others in the laundry room. As we were getting our food, we met Spice Rack; who was actually at the shelter the night before. In the laundry room, we made sandwiches and conversed with fellow hikers. Spice Rack was quiet as he hugged a dryer for heat. The longer I sat still, the colder I got and ended up joining Spice Rack in the dryer hugging. As he and I hugged the dryer together, I talked him into joining M.I.L and I at the next shelter. He was shooting for a 26mile day. He was still debating when he left. We left a little after the others, but arrived at the shelter to find both Spice Rack and One Thing hanging out there. It was nice to have friends! During the evening, Spice Rack wheeled and dealed with M.I.L for the following day.
The next morning, the deal to do 20miles was in place as long as Spice Rack and I carried the weight in M.I.L's pack. We left her with her sleeping bag, water, and some snacks. It was a lot lighter and we set out on the trail. About 12miles into the day, M.I.L decided to grab a hitch as her toe was hurting from a blister under the nail. During lunch, Spice Rack had helped her tie her boot in a way that helped a little, but she was still unsure about the 20miles. We caught her a ride and Spice Rack and I did the last 8miles in to meet her. There was no cabin available, so we headed to the shelter, where we found Ange and Box of Fun. They were glad to see M.I.L and the night was filled with laughter.
The next day was planned to be a 16mile day, but M.I.L woke up saying she was done and heading home. At first I did not believe her. She spent a good portion of the morning crying which was partially due to her sugar intake as well as the great people she had already met along the way cheering her on. We hiked back a mile to the campground where she had caught the hitch to the day before and called Big Meadows to secure a room and then Jim to secure a ride. From there, we headed back to the shelter, where we found Spice Rack, Ange, and Box of Fun waiting for us. During the hike back, I had come up with the idea of doing 16miles with half of it being a slack pack and then all of us staying at Big Meadows together. Right away Spice Rack was in for it, but Ange and Box of Fun took some convincing, but not much! The day was set and it seemed as though all were happy. Spice Rack again hiked with M.I.L and I for the day. At Big Meadows Lodge, M.I.L checked into her room and saw us off as she headed for a nice soak in her bathtub. Spice Rack and I headed for the trail. Ange and Box of Fun were going to actually remain pure to the trail by carrying their packs the whole way but hitching a ride back to stay with us for the night. Off Spice Rack and I went down the trail. We met up with Box of Fun first and decided to scare her a little. We pretended we were being chased by a bear and Spice Rack actually got her to take off running with her pack on and everything. I broke down in the trail laughing until they stopped running. It was great. At the end of the 8mile slack pack, Spice Rack and I caught an easy hitch back to Big Meadows with a park employee. Not long behind us came Box of Fun and Ange. We headed down to the taproom for dinner and the live entertainment. From there, we headed back to the room and played cards until Jim arrived. We finished the game and it was well past our bedtime (hiker midnight = 9pm and we were up until real midnight). The night was full of fun and I think it was a good celebration of the Awesome M.I.L! She was truly amazing out there!
The greyhound ride back to Waynesboro, VA was worse than the ride to AnnArbor, MI. I think every bus we took from AnnArbor to Stauton, VA was the oldest and dirtiest buses they owned! We had a 2+ hour layover in Detroit, where the awesome M.I.L was unable to defend against the crazies. I think she helped me attract them! That was an experience. Both guys who talked to us thought she was my sister. We were glad to leave there.
Upon arrival in Waynesboro, VA, we went to the P.O. to mail some items up the trail. As we waited at the P.O. for it to open, in walks One Thing. It was good to see a familiar face especially someone I had started with. I realized trail life was going to be just as good as it was in the beginning. While I took care of my package, M.I.L met another thru-hiker named Beam and chatted a bit with her. As we headed out of the building, One Thing informed me Woody and Irma were not at the hostel thus no reason to take M.I.L to meet them. Infront of the P.O., a gentleman asked if we were headed to the trail today to which we replied, "yes!" He then asked if we were walking or did we want a ride. It does not take much convincing for a thru-hiker to accept an easy hitch, so off we went. He stopped by the outfitters on the way to the trail only to find it closed! So, it was off to the trail.
It was a slow go on the first day due to both of us lacking sleep. We did a pace of just over 1mile per hour. It was crazy, but I was just glad to be back on the trail. That night at the shelter, we met Box of Fun, Ange, Mouth, Hemlock Muppet, Birdy, and Hunter. It was also my introduction to the Bear Poles in Shenandoah national park. We had a blast hanging bear bags in the evening as well as taking them down the next day. The pole we used to put the bags up was heavier than most of us could lift on our own, so we were quite a sight! It was tons of laughs.
The next day was M.I.L's first 13mile day. I think we both were a little nervous, but confident she would make it. We were slow and steady and had a great time. It was a sunny day but not a hot day. Still some fog, but it made for an enjoyable hike. At the shelter on the second night, more people I had started with arrived. It was great! I was excited to see Bootleg as he was my beacon in the snowstorm back from Helen, GA to Hiawassee, GA. M.I.L got to meet more people and the shelter was fuller than the night before. It was shaping up to be a good hike.
Then came the rain the next day! We both knew she would not escape 2 weeks on the AT without rain, but was unsure of how it would work out. We had fun despite the wetness and coldness. It was the first day we came across a wayside/campstore in the Park. We arrived to find a group of thru-hikers hanging out in the laundry room. M.I.L and I bought some food and joined the others in the laundry room. As we were getting our food, we met Spice Rack; who was actually at the shelter the night before. In the laundry room, we made sandwiches and conversed with fellow hikers. Spice Rack was quiet as he hugged a dryer for heat. The longer I sat still, the colder I got and ended up joining Spice Rack in the dryer hugging. As he and I hugged the dryer together, I talked him into joining M.I.L and I at the next shelter. He was shooting for a 26mile day. He was still debating when he left. We left a little after the others, but arrived at the shelter to find both Spice Rack and One Thing hanging out there. It was nice to have friends! During the evening, Spice Rack wheeled and dealed with M.I.L for the following day.
The next morning, the deal to do 20miles was in place as long as Spice Rack and I carried the weight in M.I.L's pack. We left her with her sleeping bag, water, and some snacks. It was a lot lighter and we set out on the trail. About 12miles into the day, M.I.L decided to grab a hitch as her toe was hurting from a blister under the nail. During lunch, Spice Rack had helped her tie her boot in a way that helped a little, but she was still unsure about the 20miles. We caught her a ride and Spice Rack and I did the last 8miles in to meet her. There was no cabin available, so we headed to the shelter, where we found Ange and Box of Fun. They were glad to see M.I.L and the night was filled with laughter.
The next day was planned to be a 16mile day, but M.I.L woke up saying she was done and heading home. At first I did not believe her. She spent a good portion of the morning crying which was partially due to her sugar intake as well as the great people she had already met along the way cheering her on. We hiked back a mile to the campground where she had caught the hitch to the day before and called Big Meadows to secure a room and then Jim to secure a ride. From there, we headed back to the shelter, where we found Spice Rack, Ange, and Box of Fun waiting for us. During the hike back, I had come up with the idea of doing 16miles with half of it being a slack pack and then all of us staying at Big Meadows together. Right away Spice Rack was in for it, but Ange and Box of Fun took some convincing, but not much! The day was set and it seemed as though all were happy. Spice Rack again hiked with M.I.L and I for the day. At Big Meadows Lodge, M.I.L checked into her room and saw us off as she headed for a nice soak in her bathtub. Spice Rack and I headed for the trail. Ange and Box of Fun were going to actually remain pure to the trail by carrying their packs the whole way but hitching a ride back to stay with us for the night. Off Spice Rack and I went down the trail. We met up with Box of Fun first and decided to scare her a little. We pretended we were being chased by a bear and Spice Rack actually got her to take off running with her pack on and everything. I broke down in the trail laughing until they stopped running. It was great. At the end of the 8mile slack pack, Spice Rack and I caught an easy hitch back to Big Meadows with a park employee. Not long behind us came Box of Fun and Ange. We headed down to the taproom for dinner and the live entertainment. From there, we headed back to the room and played cards until Jim arrived. We finished the game and it was well past our bedtime (hiker midnight = 9pm and we were up until real midnight). The night was full of fun and I think it was a good celebration of the Awesome M.I.L! She was truly amazing out there!
Friday, May 27, 2005
Civilization
Although it feels weird and I have a burning to get out and walk, I think it is good for me to have this time off from the trail. It is a little disruptive to the flow and the people with whom I was hiking, but I am getting nutrients I don't normally get on the trail as well as good sleep! This will give me an idea of how life will be after the trail as well. Lucky for me, I live in Colorado where if I am itching to hike I have mountains to climb!
Today, I woke up, used the flush toilet device versus the bushes, and went back to my sleeping bag. The hard part of civilization is no more breakfast in bed. Hardcore hiker taught me the joy of breakfast in bed on the trail. Basically, you retrieve your food bag and remain in your sleeping bag while eating breakfast. It is a nice feeling, and I tried to get breakfast in bed from Dana & Darrell this morning, but it did not work.
One thing I have been learning up here is that things are really expensive compared to the Trail towns and the south. I looked at buying broccoli yesterday at Kroger and it was crazy priced way too high for my liking. Dinner out in downtown AnnArbor last night was extremely expensive as well. Mike and I could have eaten for the price I paid just for my food. Granted, I am eating more these days, but I had an appetizer, plate meal, dessert, and 2 beers and it was $35. I suppose that does not seem unreal to many living in the real world on a normal basis, but on the trail, there are many restaurants that serve healthy portions for good prices. I think the most I have spent on food in a trail town thus far has been $20. Usually, there are all you can eat(AYCE) buffets which many thru-hikers try to close down. I think it was because the place we went to last night was an Irish Pub in downtown AnnArbor. It was nice to hang out with friends.
Still looking forward to getting back to the trail. My itching for the trail is as strong this far away from the trail as it is when I take days off along the trail. I think I will be reducing days off along the trail as I travel north. We will see. Trail lore has it the New England States lack the Southern Hospitality we are experiencing right now. We will see. I was also told Virginia was flat!
Stay tuned for news on the wedding and my travels back to the trail as well as my 2weeks with my mother-in-law. I look forward to those meeting me along the trail and am eager to return to my adventures. Everyday, I feel the changes the trail is providing in my life and hope to embrace the many to come. I love my family and friends greatly and look forward to the celebration of my friend, Dana's marriage to Darrell.
Thank you all for the continued support and love. It makes the trail much easier to endure at times. I also thank those looking over my husband while I am out here. He is my lifeline and without him, I would be lost. During the marriage of Dana & Darrell, I will be thinking of my own marriage and how lucky I am to have such a wonderful man to support me on this crazy journey of self discovery. Thank you my love! You are with me always despite the distance. I love you lots!
Today, I woke up, used the flush toilet device versus the bushes, and went back to my sleeping bag. The hard part of civilization is no more breakfast in bed. Hardcore hiker taught me the joy of breakfast in bed on the trail. Basically, you retrieve your food bag and remain in your sleeping bag while eating breakfast. It is a nice feeling, and I tried to get breakfast in bed from Dana & Darrell this morning, but it did not work.
One thing I have been learning up here is that things are really expensive compared to the Trail towns and the south. I looked at buying broccoli yesterday at Kroger and it was crazy priced way too high for my liking. Dinner out in downtown AnnArbor last night was extremely expensive as well. Mike and I could have eaten for the price I paid just for my food. Granted, I am eating more these days, but I had an appetizer, plate meal, dessert, and 2 beers and it was $35. I suppose that does not seem unreal to many living in the real world on a normal basis, but on the trail, there are many restaurants that serve healthy portions for good prices. I think the most I have spent on food in a trail town thus far has been $20. Usually, there are all you can eat(AYCE) buffets which many thru-hikers try to close down. I think it was because the place we went to last night was an Irish Pub in downtown AnnArbor. It was nice to hang out with friends.
Still looking forward to getting back to the trail. My itching for the trail is as strong this far away from the trail as it is when I take days off along the trail. I think I will be reducing days off along the trail as I travel north. We will see. Trail lore has it the New England States lack the Southern Hospitality we are experiencing right now. We will see. I was also told Virginia was flat!
Stay tuned for news on the wedding and my travels back to the trail as well as my 2weeks with my mother-in-law. I look forward to those meeting me along the trail and am eager to return to my adventures. Everyday, I feel the changes the trail is providing in my life and hope to embrace the many to come. I love my family and friends greatly and look forward to the celebration of my friend, Dana's marriage to Darrell.
Thank you all for the continued support and love. It makes the trail much easier to endure at times. I also thank those looking over my husband while I am out here. He is my lifeline and without him, I would be lost. During the marriage of Dana & Darrell, I will be thinking of my own marriage and how lucky I am to have such a wonderful man to support me on this crazy journey of self discovery. Thank you my love! You are with me always despite the distance. I love you lots!
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Greyhound Adventures
So, as many of you know, I took a 24hour bus ride on Greyhound from Waynesboro, VA to AnnArbor, MI for my friend, Dana's wedding. Now many of you may be wondering why I interrupted my trail experience for this wedding when I am not exactly in the wedding. It is because it is my friend, Dana.
Anyway, the trip on the bus was long and exhausting and I can't wait to take my mother-in-law back with me on the return trip. It is a lot of stress wondering where they are not going to let you go any further due to your ticket having a future date on it, but it was never questioned along my journey.
The first bus was from Waynesboro to Washington DC. As I departed Waynesboro, I wept a little to be leaving my friends and family from the trail not to mention the wonderful people who helped get me on the bus (Woody and Irma). Then I settled in for the long haul and finished my book by the time I reached DC. After DC, I travelled through Pennsylvania and could see ridgelines and I wondered if those were ridgelines where my friends would be upon my return from Michigan. That made me cry all over again. Trying to make myself happy wasn't working to stop the tears either. As I thought of my friends and family that I would see over the Memorial Day weekend, I also began to cry. Life seemed to go in slow motion and seemed almost surreal at that point. I had to try my hardest not to cry the whole way home to Michigan. Upon arriving in Michigan and travelling from Detroit to AnnArbor, I again began to cry because soon enough I would be visiting with my friends and see my family. It felt so weird. What do I say to them? Will they be asking me all sorts of questions from the trail? With my emotions on the fritz would I just start bawling when I saw them? How about those friends I left on the trail...Would I see them again? So, much worry for such simple things. MY heart beat rapidly as I approached AnnArbor. Thank Goodness Dana was not there right away to get me from the bus because if she had been standing outside the bus when I got off, I know I would have lost it and again cried my little heart out. It was bad enough that I reported my fragile state of mind and then began crying right there. How could someone who has hiked 850miles be such a blubbering baby? The tears did not last long despite being just below the surface and ready to spill at any moment. Dana and I ran some errands and then got some breakfast. I ate all of my meal and half of Dana's. Guess I still have an appetite.
Going back to the greyhound trip itself, there were not too many weird people until I got to Cleveland, OH. As we were approaching Cleveland, I was laying with my head towards the aisle and almost had it kicked in by the guy behind me putting his foot on my armrest. He apologized and then began to talk to me about my destination. From there, he started telling me how beautiful I am and it went down hill from there. He asked me if I was married and whether I would ever cheat on my husband. I told him as long as it was him, I sure would! HAHAHAHA! No! I did not say that. I told him I would never cheat on my husband! He just kept telling me how pretty I was and patting my head. I was glad to get off the bus and find somewhere away from him to sit and wait for the bus to take me to Detroit.
In that seat inside the bus station; however, I had another guy strike up conversation with me. He was not as bad as the other guy, but you could tell there was something mentally wrong with him. We talked about the buses and he told me he was headed to Vermont and I told him I was headed to Michigan. We talked about our jobs and he then went into talking about mental facilities and high strung communities. He was going to apply for dual citizenship with Canada because his great grandfather was Canadian, and once in Canada this guy had a bad experience with the people and so he wants to be able to tell them where to stuff their attitude or something like that. It was weird how quickly the topic changed as we conversed and he kept asking me if I got it. The bathroom was my refuge from this guy.
During my encounters with these 2 guys, I thought of Montana's coaching me on how to safely hitch a ride. He told me to just hang out by a gas station or some store and just watch the people to find the one who looks safe and ask them for a ride. I decided after this experience, I am just a magnet for weirdos and will not be hitching by myself. Despite my ability to read the safe from the unsafe, I am a magnet for the looney bin escapies. So, no hitching for me unless with other people!
On the whole, the experience was a decent trip and I look forward to taking the bus back home...to the trail. Oh no! I am calling the trail my home. I really have flipped my lid! At least on the return trip, I will have my mother-in-law along for company. Maybe the weirdos will stay away if there are 2 of us! Can't wait to find out!
Anyway, the trip on the bus was long and exhausting and I can't wait to take my mother-in-law back with me on the return trip. It is a lot of stress wondering where they are not going to let you go any further due to your ticket having a future date on it, but it was never questioned along my journey.
The first bus was from Waynesboro to Washington DC. As I departed Waynesboro, I wept a little to be leaving my friends and family from the trail not to mention the wonderful people who helped get me on the bus (Woody and Irma). Then I settled in for the long haul and finished my book by the time I reached DC. After DC, I travelled through Pennsylvania and could see ridgelines and I wondered if those were ridgelines where my friends would be upon my return from Michigan. That made me cry all over again. Trying to make myself happy wasn't working to stop the tears either. As I thought of my friends and family that I would see over the Memorial Day weekend, I also began to cry. Life seemed to go in slow motion and seemed almost surreal at that point. I had to try my hardest not to cry the whole way home to Michigan. Upon arriving in Michigan and travelling from Detroit to AnnArbor, I again began to cry because soon enough I would be visiting with my friends and see my family. It felt so weird. What do I say to them? Will they be asking me all sorts of questions from the trail? With my emotions on the fritz would I just start bawling when I saw them? How about those friends I left on the trail...Would I see them again? So, much worry for such simple things. MY heart beat rapidly as I approached AnnArbor. Thank Goodness Dana was not there right away to get me from the bus because if she had been standing outside the bus when I got off, I know I would have lost it and again cried my little heart out. It was bad enough that I reported my fragile state of mind and then began crying right there. How could someone who has hiked 850miles be such a blubbering baby? The tears did not last long despite being just below the surface and ready to spill at any moment. Dana and I ran some errands and then got some breakfast. I ate all of my meal and half of Dana's. Guess I still have an appetite.
Going back to the greyhound trip itself, there were not too many weird people until I got to Cleveland, OH. As we were approaching Cleveland, I was laying with my head towards the aisle and almost had it kicked in by the guy behind me putting his foot on my armrest. He apologized and then began to talk to me about my destination. From there, he started telling me how beautiful I am and it went down hill from there. He asked me if I was married and whether I would ever cheat on my husband. I told him as long as it was him, I sure would! HAHAHAHA! No! I did not say that. I told him I would never cheat on my husband! He just kept telling me how pretty I was and patting my head. I was glad to get off the bus and find somewhere away from him to sit and wait for the bus to take me to Detroit.
In that seat inside the bus station; however, I had another guy strike up conversation with me. He was not as bad as the other guy, but you could tell there was something mentally wrong with him. We talked about the buses and he told me he was headed to Vermont and I told him I was headed to Michigan. We talked about our jobs and he then went into talking about mental facilities and high strung communities. He was going to apply for dual citizenship with Canada because his great grandfather was Canadian, and once in Canada this guy had a bad experience with the people and so he wants to be able to tell them where to stuff their attitude or something like that. It was weird how quickly the topic changed as we conversed and he kept asking me if I got it. The bathroom was my refuge from this guy.
During my encounters with these 2 guys, I thought of Montana's coaching me on how to safely hitch a ride. He told me to just hang out by a gas station or some store and just watch the people to find the one who looks safe and ask them for a ride. I decided after this experience, I am just a magnet for weirdos and will not be hitching by myself. Despite my ability to read the safe from the unsafe, I am a magnet for the looney bin escapies. So, no hitching for me unless with other people!
On the whole, the experience was a decent trip and I look forward to taking the bus back home...to the trail. Oh no! I am calling the trail my home. I really have flipped my lid! At least on the return trip, I will have my mother-in-law along for company. Maybe the weirdos will stay away if there are 2 of us! Can't wait to find out!
Hospitality in the Valley
I have been in many trail towns along the Appalachian Trail, but none have been as friendly as Waynesboro up to this point. Sure most of them have been super friendly, but Waynesboro was full of wonderful people. I hope thru-hikers do not ever give Waynesboro a reason to dislike us.
It began with the list of Trail Angels (people who volunteer their time to provide support for thru-hikers) at the information center. The volunteer there, called an older gentleman to pick us (Hardcore Hiker, Mad Cow, and me) up from the trail and take us into the New Hostel in Waynesboro. Unfortunately, the hostel did not open until 5pm and we got in around 3:30pm. SO, the gentleman offerred to take us anywhere else we desired. We went to the post office and picked up packages before deciding to head for Weasies Kitchen for the Pancake challenge. This gentleman dropped us off and gave us his phone number to call him when we were done and he would pick us back up and take us to the hostel. We didn't even have to call him, he just showed up as we were finishing up and took us to the hostel.
The Grace Lutheran Church in Waynesboro had just opened their church in the evening to house thru-hikers for free. We three were the first guests along with another hiker, Hikerx05. Irma and Woody were the spearheaders of this project and thus the volunteers there to greet us at the door and give us the tour along with the rules. They were great people and we sat for a long period of time chatting with them about the trail and life in general. At one point Irma went and got movies from the library incase we wanted to watch anything that evening. None of us ended up watching TV, but it is the thought that counts. The pastor stopped in and invited us to Vespers as to kick off the Hostel's opening night. It was a nice little service.
The next day, while doing errands, we ran into Tulip & Cheerios (2 hikers doing the trail as continuous day hikes) at the laundromat and they offered us a ride to the outfitters which was about a half mile from the laundromat. They took us there after taking Hardcore Hiker back to CVS to exchange her watch. We were extremely grateful to them as well.
At the Outfitters, Hardcore and I were talking to a guy in line at the checkout and he eventually offerred to pay for Hardcores boot gaiters she was waiting to pay for. We could not believe our fortune that day.
On Wednesday morning, Irma volunteered Woody to go with me to the Greyhound stop in Waynesboro and see about getting me on a bus despite what the Verona, VA gentleman had said about not being able to exchange my ticket. Woody stayed with me until the bus arrived and was sure they were going to let me ride. Then he told the bus driver to take good care of me.
All this friendliness and care from people who hardly knew us. I felt truly blessed and a little sad leaving these great people. Irma agreed to mail my bounce box up the trail for me and I left her with money for that as well as a donation to the church for their hostel services. It was truly a great visit and I hope the Hostel is able to keep going. Best of Luck to the town of Waynesboro. It was truly Hospitality in the Valley as their sign said!
It began with the list of Trail Angels (people who volunteer their time to provide support for thru-hikers) at the information center. The volunteer there, called an older gentleman to pick us (Hardcore Hiker, Mad Cow, and me) up from the trail and take us into the New Hostel in Waynesboro. Unfortunately, the hostel did not open until 5pm and we got in around 3:30pm. SO, the gentleman offerred to take us anywhere else we desired. We went to the post office and picked up packages before deciding to head for Weasies Kitchen for the Pancake challenge. This gentleman dropped us off and gave us his phone number to call him when we were done and he would pick us back up and take us to the hostel. We didn't even have to call him, he just showed up as we were finishing up and took us to the hostel.
The Grace Lutheran Church in Waynesboro had just opened their church in the evening to house thru-hikers for free. We three were the first guests along with another hiker, Hikerx05. Irma and Woody were the spearheaders of this project and thus the volunteers there to greet us at the door and give us the tour along with the rules. They were great people and we sat for a long period of time chatting with them about the trail and life in general. At one point Irma went and got movies from the library incase we wanted to watch anything that evening. None of us ended up watching TV, but it is the thought that counts. The pastor stopped in and invited us to Vespers as to kick off the Hostel's opening night. It was a nice little service.
The next day, while doing errands, we ran into Tulip & Cheerios (2 hikers doing the trail as continuous day hikes) at the laundromat and they offered us a ride to the outfitters which was about a half mile from the laundromat. They took us there after taking Hardcore Hiker back to CVS to exchange her watch. We were extremely grateful to them as well.
At the Outfitters, Hardcore and I were talking to a guy in line at the checkout and he eventually offerred to pay for Hardcores boot gaiters she was waiting to pay for. We could not believe our fortune that day.
On Wednesday morning, Irma volunteered Woody to go with me to the Greyhound stop in Waynesboro and see about getting me on a bus despite what the Verona, VA gentleman had said about not being able to exchange my ticket. Woody stayed with me until the bus arrived and was sure they were going to let me ride. Then he told the bus driver to take good care of me.
All this friendliness and care from people who hardly knew us. I felt truly blessed and a little sad leaving these great people. Irma agreed to mail my bounce box up the trail for me and I left her with money for that as well as a donation to the church for their hostel services. It was truly a great visit and I hope the Hostel is able to keep going. Best of Luck to the town of Waynesboro. It was truly Hospitality in the Valley as their sign said!
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