I don't get it...

and I suspect I never will.  Perhaps it is because I have never fallen in love 
with the A.T. as others have. 

Jerry and I went for a short journey this past week. Jerry had made reservations for us at Wood’s Hole Hostel near Pearisburg VA for two nights.  (http://www.woodsholehostel.com/ I encourage you to visit the website if you have time. This is a hostel is located ½ mile from the A.T. He stopped by there in 2010. At that time it was Trails Day Weekend in Damascus VA, a little further south and not much was happening at the hostel. Jerry continued to talk about the hostel and so two years later he made reservations for us to visit. We arrived about 4:00 in the afternoon after traveling almost 7 hours on the interstate, state routes, a gravel road and finally a one lane dirt road with cattle guards. The yard was in the process of collecting hikers for the night. 
The ‘house’ consisted in part of the original log cabin built in 1880. The couple running the place, Neville and Michael, were both very high energy and welcoming peoplethe place showed it. Raised bed gardens were everywhere along with bee hives, chickens, pigs, goats and an ever growing number of hikers. There is a bunk house where the many hikers sleep upstairs. The house included three guest bedrooms, a massage room, a living room, kitchen and two baths. We were in one of the upstairs bedrooms and shared a bath with a three bed room. The porch had two porch swings, 4 rocking chairs, two sling chairs, one table, about six other chairs, a hand carved 6’ bench with guitars carved on either side, a sign that said ‘leave shoes here before entering’ and one computer. Oh - and about 4 dogs, 4 cats and at one point the pigs got out and there were two pigs on the porch also. (The pigs were kind of cute and thought they were part of the family.)
So for the price of a nights stay the hikers got a full breakfast. A hiker size breakfast! There was coffee, juice served in Mason Jars, homemade bread with homemade apple butter, strawberry jam, eggs from the chickens with fixins’ from the garden, peach crisp, orange slices. All served up by Neville and a few volunteers. A person could also purchase dinner. Our first dinner was a wonderful salad from the garden, pasta and homemade tomato sauce and homemade bread. All hiker size! After clean up ---oh yea, clean up ---was done by Neville and a few volunteers.  The first order of business was to put the plates on the floor for the dogs to lick clean, then they went in to the dishwasher-the plates not the dogs. Then the huge cooking pots went on to the floor – for the dogs to lick clean. That was an interesting sight, their heads were completely in the pots. I was helping to dry the things that would not fit in to the dishwasher. Neville was washing. When you’d pick up an item to dry Neville would call out directions as to where the item went. ‘Right of stove, door on left, top shelf, middle stack.’ This when on for about 30 minutes. She did not miss a beat. After clean up she brought out the box on 100 ice cream cones and the 5 gallon bucket of ice cream. Bucket of ice cream went on the table and she stood on a step stool to scoop it out. The whole meal was quite an experience. Did I mention that this meal served 28 people? The meal was eaten off of real plates and people sat outside any where they could. Before the meal we joined hands in a circle and each mentioned something they were grateful for.
Neville mentioned that this was the beginning of their peak season. For the next 6 weeks or so they would keep up this pace every day. Did I mention that they were high energy people? Did I mention that she did Yoga sessions during the day and meditation session in the evening?
During the day Jerry and I hiked for a couple of hours on the A.T.. We were in search of some of his favorite wildflowers from the trail. As it turns out we are about a week too early. But he remembered the trail and was happy to be back on it even if I was slow and clumsy. At one point he stopped, looked off to the right of the path at a fallen tree and said something like ‘If I remember correctly there was a lady slipper blooming by this tree two years ago.’ Off he went to look for it while I stood wondering how a person could remember something that exact from 2 years ago when they can’t even remember to write dates on the family calendar. 
Jerry was able to provide some of the hikers with information about things that were just down the trail or in the next state or during the next six months of their journey.
The trail is not my thing. I do not have or ever will have a love affair with it – but apparently a lot of people do. 
We met some interesting hikers with interesting names and interesting stories. It was good to be a Wood’s Hole if only for a short time. 
On the way home we took an extra night and camped at a state forest in WV. It is always good to be outdoors!!
So what don't I get? People who are so generous as to open their home and their hearts to hikers
to so many stranger.  People who set out on a six month + journey through rain, hot sun, ups and downs, risking injuries and life changing moments - oh, okay, maybe I do get it...

Spring Break with...

the granddaughters to a cabin at Natural Bridge for two nights.

We hiked to Whittleton Arch, Rock Bridge, our favorite Frog Pond, Natural Bridge. Roughly over 5 miles in all.

We saw…
…wild flowers - wild geranium, wild ginger, red and white trillium, chick weed, bishop’s cap, bellwort, solomon’s seal, the beginnings of the pink lady slippers, wood betony, foam flowers, a tiny maiden hair fern, may apple (not the flower just yet), dwarf iris, jack-in-the-pulpits, violets, columbine all in full bloom.

… wild life (besides the kids) – frog eggs, tadpoles, salamanders,(found a great bargain on a little fish net that we used at the frog pond – probably terrorizing nature at its finest) a tiny snake, butterflies, turtles, life in the streams, a crawdad or two, flying squirrels, all kinds of insects, a jumping spider.

We heard…
….thunder in the evening as a number of storms rolled through the valley Tuesday.

…grandpa’s lessons on rocks, trees, flowers, water, and did I mention rocks?!

…grandpa’s motto: “You can learn something new every day, if you pay attention.”

….”Have they worn you out yet” spoken by a man on the trail when Autumn announced that we were her grandparents. We weren’t sure if he was talking to us or to the kids.

…”Thanks for bringing us here.” Spoken at the Frog Pond.

...”Here again next spring break? I don’t think so. We’re too tired. “ Spoken by Destiny at the end of the second day.

…”You alright Grandma?” Spoken by Deasia many times. I tried to convince her that I enjoy bringing up the rear, more time to take it all in.

The girls were a delight. Even after Deasia fell in to the stream and came up soaking wet she handled it well. Hiking in wet clothes cannot be fun. But she dried off and kept up the pace.

Maybe Destiny along with Autumn and Deasia will only remember the fun times and not how tired they were and they’ll be ready for another trip next Spring Break. Maybe Grandma and Grandpa will be too.

Yesterday I vacuumed the tent....

Yep, that’s right. A few days ago I realized that back in October when we were headed back from our ‘out west’ trip, we folded up the tent with the internal ground cloth still in place. We had gotten in the habit of doing this in order to save folding and a few hours later unfolding the tarp when we were once again setting up camp. Seemed like a good idea then, perhaps it was because we were breaking camp in the dark with a giant green blow-up Frankenstein staring at us, (Remember this was October folks.) and it was but now, 6 months later I realized that we never unfolded the tent to air it out and remove the ground cloth in order to roll the tent in to its proper stuff sack.

So, yesterday I set up the tent in our ‘tree room’ (due to the threat of rain) pulled the tarp out and had a few moments of trip recall – the mountains, the sky, the chilly nights, the wildlife, the lakes, the canyons (there were all grand), the birds, the trees, their magnificent colors especially towards the end, the endless road that took us and delivered us back home, and the people we met along the way, not to mention the buffalo.

So I pulled out our green ‘floor’. Took it out on the deck to shake out. Went back in and realized that the floor of the tent needed to be swept out. Hmmm…could I use the vacuum on it? Well, yes I could. It worked like a charm. All the tiny twigs, dust from other states and feathers from Jerry’s down sleeping bag disappeared up the black hose. But, and I’m happy to say, the floor of the tent and all the memories are still strong – of good times and delightful experiences.

I like it when spring cleaning = tent preparation.

Day 8 - Dec. 11

Up bright and early. First order of business, pack up the luggage (aka carry-ons) and put them outside the door for the crew to gather. Next time we see them would be at the hotel in Guayaquil. One last breakfast and one last zodiac ride this time to San Cristobal. One last bus ride to the airport. Then on to Guayaguil for one last night in the Hilton.
We were about to begin the final leg of the journey, a 24 hour journey back to KY. Armed with our luggage and the travel mantra Clair had us versed in – ‘Wallet. Passport. Wallet. Passport....”

We arrived at the airport in plenty of time. There ended up being a 3 hour delay due to ‘mechanical difficulties’. Guess there is a reason they never explain that term. We did receive vouchers for a free lunch. Of course the 3 hour delay in Quayaguil shortened our layover at JFK to 9 hours. There is absolutely no place to sit comfortably at JFK much less think about sleeping. The terminal we needed didn’t even open until 3:45 a.m. I fell asleep for a few minutes with my head resting on my arms at a sushi bar.

From Guayaguil, to NY, to NC to CVG. 23 ½ hours. It was good to be home. Thanks to Joan for picking us up at the airport. Thanks to Joanna for house and dog sitting. Thanks to all who made this trip possible.

Day 7 - Dec.10

Ho- Hum. Another day of hiking, snorkeling, zodiac riding, beach walking, eating, resting, enjoying the views, enjoying other peoples company, sharing ideas, and knowing that this is our last full day in the Galapagos Islands. What a trip! Have I said that before?

Things I may not have mentioned –

there was a doctor on board the ship
there was an exercise room , small but sufficient
there was a library
they sold crafts from the locals on board
walking sticks were provided – which was great since you can’t pack them in your carry-on
wet suits were also provided
the food was so plentiful, well presented and down right good – so many choices at all times
there were laundry services
beds were made up every day
fresh water delivered to the room 2x per day when needed
coffee, juices, soft drinks available at any time
the bar was fully stocked and Jimmy the bartender was always close by
the bridge had an open door policy which meant that you could go check out things there anytime
all the crew was super friendly and helpful
we were there in the dry season, the bugs were few, the rainfall none

So, if you ever get a chance to go…..

Day 6 - Dec. 9

Up before breakfast once again. Stretching on the Sky Deck once again.

After breakfast we headed for Santa Cruz Island home to the largest human population in the Galapagos. Also home to the Galapagos National Park Service and The Charles Darwin Research Station.

After a dry landing on the island we walked to the Research Center where we saw the many giant (and also baby giant) tortoises. There is one called ‘Lonesome George’ the only one left of his kind. When he is gone his race will vanish from the face of the earth. No other tortoises found match his DNA.

After seeing the research station we were able to walk through town – reminded me a little of El Salvador. We did a little shopping and also bought some postcards for the grandkids and my aunt. Last I heard, and this is over a month ago, Autumn was the only one who has received the postcard. All mailed same place, same time.

A little later we boarded a bus and traveled to a farm in the highland. On the way we stopped at an open air restaurant for lunch but before that we stopped and walked through a lava tunnel. As the name implies it was an underground tunnel formed from flowing lava. It was interesting and a lot like a rough version of many a cave we’ve been in.

The farm we visited was one located in the middle of the tortoise migratory route. There were giant tortoises everywhere. Just moseying around, sunning themselves, munching on leafy greens or enjoying a very muddy puddle. They did not seem to mind us humans being there although I never heard a tortoise growl before.

We returned to the ship before dinner. In the evening a group of local musicians joined us in the lounge. There were three women who performed some folk dances for us. Each dance had its own homemade, hand painted outfit. Very entertaining!

Day 5 - Dec. 8

Santiago Island.
This is where Darwin spent most of his ‘on land’ time. He spent a total of 6 weeks in Galapagos, which included only 19 days on land. Nine of which were spent on Santiago Island.

(The movie Master and Commander is the story which includes a little of Darwin’s adventures. We were able to watch the movie since we’ve been home. Filmed in the Galapagos we highly recommended it if you haven’t seen it.)

Another day spent on the water, in the water, under the water - kayaking, swimming, snorkeling. Along with some hiking. When we traveled by zodiac to an island we either had a wet or dry landing depending on the area we were approaching.

A dry landing meant that the zodiac was able to butt itself up against very well placed steps or rocks where we could step from the zodiac on to the inflated side of the boat and then on to dry land. A wet landing meant that the zodiac stopped as close to shore as it could but that we would have to swing our feet over the side of the zodiac and jump off into – hopefully no more that knee deep water. Sometimes this worked well – sometimes not so much. If we did a wet landing with the intent to hike we would have to take along dry shoes for the walk.

When we boarded the ship from the zodiac we had to step on to the inflated side of the zodiac and then on to a ladder to take us up to the ship’s deck. This was always a two handed accomplishment. Most of the time it worked very well.