May 24, 1997 (Day 66 – milepoint 671.1 – Pickle Branch Shelter)

Weird dream last night: I’m sitting on a 30-foot high lifeguard stand in the middle of a carnival/amusement park on a beach somewhere, and I’m going “#2.” Previously, I had been driving around with a female I can’t identify, in a red Ford Mustang convertible, I think. We came to a small house, went inside, and Dad was there. Since I don’t remember who this girl is, I don’t think I introduced them to each other, but I felt that it would be an okay place to leave her while I went to run an errand. (Dad can entertain a rock!) Well, this “errand,” was to drive to this carnival, climb up this 30-foot lifeguard stand and answer the call of nature. People everywhere! Kids eating cotton candy. There was music but I couldn’t hear it. And no one seemed to mind me. So, then, as I was cleaning myself, I carelessly dropped a wad of TP to the ground. As I looked down at it, part of me said “Uh oh, this could be embarrassing.” Another part of me said “Hey, I dropped my toilet paper.” Now this is where it gets weird. A woman, holding the hand of a child holding a balloon, walks up to the soiled wad, picks it up without hesitation, as if it were “just another piece of trash,” and drops it into the hole, 30 feet below me. “Thanks,” I said. “No problem,” she replied, “See ya!” Then, on my way back to the car, I happened upon an enormous picnic table loaded with food. I knew I had some place to be, but that detail was vague my attention turned to the table of food. I helped myself to fresh fruit and turkey and I was being served by childhood friends, twins Debbie and Susie, still in their 16-year-old bodies from high school. The dream faded as we reminisced about old times. Weird.

Long, hot, humid day. Feeling the fatigue from yesterday’s 20. Trail Magic at the first shelter – a Pepsi – still cold! Packed in by Waterboy yesterday along with a watermelon (rinds in the firepit).

Had lunch there and enjoyed the company of some Boy Scouts from Roanoke, VA. It’s obvious to me that what makes a Scout program work is adult leadership.

More trail magic at Sinking Creek. Someone left some beer in the creek for “all to enjoy.” I enjoyed mine along with a much needed bath. Walked the rest of the day with Pockets and Papason (64, Clemson, SC).

Also met a character named Trail Wizard. Today was his 31st day from Springer Mountain (my 66th). His pack is only 15 lbs. No tent, no stove, no rain gear, no change of clothes… I wanted to talk with him some more, but I couldn’t keep up. Man, just think how nice it would be to carry only 15 lbs and not be in a hurry.

Aquaholic

May 24, 2009

“No one is useless in the world who lightens the burden of it for anyone else.” –Charles Dickens