May 27, 1997 (Day 69 – Day off in Blacksburg, VA)

Jenna and Mike let me use their van to get around for the day so I dropped Mike off at work and went to the grocery store for re-supply on my way to Jenna’s (Ms. Swann’s) classroom at Prices Fork Elementary School in Christiansburg, VA.

Ms. Swann’s class has been following my journal entries on the internet and each student has a trail name: Crash-n-Burn, Swimaholic, Sportaholic, Sleepy, Hardhead, Animalaholic, Aniholic, Beaver Boy, Wildcat, Ball Boy, Kitty Cat, Wildstang, Butterfinger, Raptor, Bear Woman, Rivergirl, Star Trekker, and Biker.

I don’t recall being as smart when I was 11… nor do I remember cafeteria food being so appetizing.

After lunch, we went through my pack, talked about gear, food, necessities, Trail Magic, animals, and other hikers. I made a big bag of gorp to share with them and they answered with ice cream sundaes.

I’d been wanting to visit Ms. Swann’s classroom for years now, and I finally had to walk 700 miles to get there. Well worth the effort. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and I can’t wait to brag to other thru-hikers about my experience.

Aquaholic

May 27, 2009

“Teachers teach more by what they are than by what they say.”