Tina sat me down off my foot. She helped me shop and put together a hot sandwich to go. When all was ready, she loaded me into her truck and got me back to the hostel. I marvel how a stranger can receive so much kindness.
June 17, 2013
It's Monday. Yes, it is raining!
Last night it rained through the night, but had spent itself out by the morning. I started down the trail at 7 am, with the trees dripping rain and the trail dark and slippery. The morning saw a few short spells of showers, but also featured another slip and hard twist of my left ankle. This is the third time that this ankle has completely given way on me. Both feet get tired from the trail and the tendons are very tender after a day like yesterday. The left one is a step beyond that, however, and has never fully recovered from the first twist.
My goal was a shelter 15 miles from last nights resting place. With the pain and slower pace, I pulled up at Dickys Gap and hitchhiked a ride into Troutdale, a tiny town where a small church operates a hostel for hikers. The pastor, Ken Riggins is great, as is his wife, Mary. The hostel is simple and clean, with the added touch of genuine love.
The rain is now pounding down. I am grateful for this hostel shelter tonight. I never could have reached the shelter on the AT tonight with my foot. Tomorrow is another day, and it will take care of itself. For tonight, I rest safe and dry.
Coming into Troutdale allowed me to meet several very special people. The man who gave me the lift into town shared about the loss of both his parents. Mike is "hiking" the trail and spending a few days here working. He has been hiking the AT for two years, working for weeks at a time to finance his trip. You might call him homeless, but I think he is much more focused than that. Pastor Ken and his wife Mary are true trail angels, pouring themselves out to the travelers who pass through. Last of all, I met Tina, a woman visiting her sister here in the community. The nearest store is four miles from here. (Troutdale is a very small place) The pastor dropped me off at the store and left me to hitch a ride home. Instead I encountered Tina, who was helping her sister run the store. Tina sat me down off my foot. She helped me shop and put together a hot sandwich to go. When all was ready, she loaded me into her truck and got me back to the hostel. I marvel how a stranger can receive so much kindness.
I'm ready to drift off to sleep. The thunder is booming and rain pounding against this little shed out behind the church.
I didn't take a single picture today. I kept my camera in the pack wrapped in plastic because of the rain. I will include several pictures of the blooms I saw the day before crossing the Highlands. It is wonderful walking north into spring! It's hard to believe summer is almost here.
It's Monday. Yes, it is raining!
Last night it rained through the night, but had spent itself out by the morning. I started down the trail at 7 am, with the trees dripping rain and the trail dark and slippery. The morning saw a few short spells of showers, but also featured another slip and hard twist of my left ankle. This is the third time that this ankle has completely given way on me. Both feet get tired from the trail and the tendons are very tender after a day like yesterday. The left one is a step beyond that, however, and has never fully recovered from the first twist.
My goal was a shelter 15 miles from last nights resting place. With the pain and slower pace, I pulled up at Dickys Gap and hitchhiked a ride into Troutdale, a tiny town where a small church operates a hostel for hikers. The pastor, Ken Riggins is great, as is his wife, Mary. The hostel is simple and clean, with the added touch of genuine love.
The rain is now pounding down. I am grateful for this hostel shelter tonight. I never could have reached the shelter on the AT tonight with my foot. Tomorrow is another day, and it will take care of itself. For tonight, I rest safe and dry.
Coming into Troutdale allowed me to meet several very special people. The man who gave me the lift into town shared about the loss of both his parents. Mike is "hiking" the trail and spending a few days here working. He has been hiking the AT for two years, working for weeks at a time to finance his trip. You might call him homeless, but I think he is much more focused than that. Pastor Ken and his wife Mary are true trail angels, pouring themselves out to the travelers who pass through. Last of all, I met Tina, a woman visiting her sister here in the community. The nearest store is four miles from here. (Troutdale is a very small place) The pastor dropped me off at the store and left me to hitch a ride home. Instead I encountered Tina, who was helping her sister run the store. Tina sat me down off my foot. She helped me shop and put together a hot sandwich to go. When all was ready, she loaded me into her truck and got me back to the hostel. I marvel how a stranger can receive so much kindness.
I'm ready to drift off to sleep. The thunder is booming and rain pounding against this little shed out behind the church.
I didn't take a single picture today. I kept my camera in the pack wrapped in plastic because of the rain. I will include several pictures of the blooms I saw the day before crossing the Highlands. It is wonderful walking north into spring! It's hard to believe summer is almost here.
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