Post # 19: Distancing

My week started with an overnight stay at Stanimal’s hostel. Staying at hostels is a thru-hiker tradition that I usually avoid. Who wants to be stuck in a bunk room with an old guy whose snores sound like a freight train? Also, because of the pandemic, it doesn’t seem wise to sleep in close proximity to others at this time. So I seek out a private room when I need a break from hiking, and that usually means a motel stay. However, I chose to stay in this particular hostel because, in addition to bunk rooms, they offer a couple of private rooms. Additionally, they provide free trailhead pick ups and returns from Rockfish Gap, shuttles to other locations for a fee, a free soft drink or beer upon arrival and hikers can help themselves to more whenever they want and simply pay for them when checking out. Guests can use the kitchen, laundry, and shared bath, and they can take advantage of the nearby restaurants and grocery stores. I did my resupply, made myself a steak dinner that evening, and watched a couple of episodes of the “Office” with the other hiker trash. If you ever need a place to stay in Waynesboro, VA, consider Stanimals.

  The next couple of days I ascended mountains with names like Three Ridges, Humpback, and Bee.

Late on Wednesday afternoon, Robbie, a long time friend and former co-worker, picked me up and hosted me for a couple of days. It was inspiring to see his ministry doing home repairs for those that can’t afford to hire a contractor. They are frequently making homes wheelchair accessible by building exterior ramps and enlarging doorways. I also learned about his wife’s pastoral ministries and how her church’s leadership team has adapted during this time of physical distancing. It was relaxing to catch up on their family, watch football, receive a tutorial on Pickleball, play Rummicub, and eat and eat and eat. I left their home with my body feeling rested and my soul feeling nourished.

I hit the trail again and immediately climbed Priest Mountain. The 3000’ ascent got my heart pumping but because of all the switchbacks on the trail, the hike was not as arduous as those in the Adirondacks, like the climb up Algonquin Mountain. When I become king of the world, I’m going to have all the trails in the Adirondack High Peaks rebuilt with lots of switchbacks in them.

As I ascended these mountains, I noticed a drop in temperature due to the elevation gained and the cold front moving in. The nighttime and morning temperatures were in the 30s for the next couple of days, which made it difficult to crawl out from under my down quilt at daybreak, but it made for some comfortable hiking weather.

While hiking in a popular area, I often step off the trail to allow those going in the opposite direction lots of space to safely pass. I have observed that often the approaching day hikers will put on their masks before passing; however, it is most often the women that do this while their male companions do not. Why? Do the guys feel like they are teenagers and are therefore indestructible? Or are they not as smart as women and don’t keep their masks conveniently placed? Or are the women acting out of fear as someone that looks like Charles Manson approaches them? This would make an interesting case study.

I think it has been a month since I restarted my hike after my elbow injury. I am pleased to report that I can now raise my arm high enough to lick the melted chocolate off the fingers of my left hand and can use that hand to slap the mosquito that is on the back of my neck.

  And finally a reminder to those of you that live in the tri-lakes area: l have not retired.  This trip is just a sabbatical that I gave myself and it will end in November.  So keep me in mind if you know of anyone that needs to have some carpentry work done.  

  Now, I need to glue the sole onto my shoe.