Day 68: The Chaos of No Plans

Change of Plans

It was a very restless sleep. I was only thankful that I didn’t have to climb down the top bunk to go to the bathroom last night. The ladder was positioned in a way that I had to rely on my upper body strength (of which I have none) to swing myself onto the ladder. And everytime I stepped on the ladder, I feared I would collapse due to how the wood would press into my feet. I never did fall though. I should count that as a win.

I got up with everybody else. Everyone was making their own pancakes, bacon, and eggs. I decided to stick with my trail breakfast. It was okay. It couldn’t compare to the smell of bacon though. I was sitting on the couch, debating the day. It was going to rain. My shoes, while great when it’s dry, are starting to suck when it’s wet. I need to replace them – especially since I have a tear in my sole. The terrain was going to be just like yesterday a.k.a slanted rock on a ridgeline. But with the added bonus of rain. Additionally, I had no cell service to look anything up. I also found out that a relative of mine lives in Roanoke, VA and I wished to meet her before I moved on from the area. I was tired too. My ankles and knees were still hurting. Essentially, I was finding ways not to hike. McAfee Knob was coming up and I didn’t want to see it in the rain. I did the crazy thing and got a shuttle to Daleville. I really was jumping into this day with no plans.

Welcome to Daleville

I got dropped off by the outfitters there and went to the coffee shop right next to it. I sat down and tried to figure out the game plan. I contacted Kait, my second cousin of whom I have never met, and asked if she’d be down to hang out today. I knew it was a work day and very last minute, but decided to try anyways. She got back to me quickly with a yes and plans to pick me up and to go out to eat after she finished with work. It was a date.

I then contacted this one person who had posted on a Facebook page saying that they were opening their doors for a few people during Trail Days. I contacted them asking if they still had availability and they also got back to me quickly saying that they didn’t. I figured that was the answer since they posted four days prior. I had to try. I called this one number for a hostel in the area, but nobody answered. I then proceeded it dink around. I did some editing, before getting bored of staying in the coffee shop.

The Meat Stick Cart

I went to Kroger and was in the process of finding lunch when one of the workers yelled at me saying, “Hey!” I turned around and worried that they didn’t like the fact that I was wearing my pack. People were already staring at me. The employee said, “Come here” and I complied, confused. She then asked, “You’re a thru-hiker, yes?” “Yes.” “Good. I have this cart filled with meat sticks. You eat those on trail right?” I played along. “Yeah, most hikers eat those.” “Well, they’re on clearance right now. Make sure to tell your hiker friends.” I laughed and said I would. I was not expecting that. I left the store, not a single meat stick on me, but I did have a salad. As it was raining, I sat out near a store front and went to town on the salad. People kept their distance. I find it quite amusing to be honest. I’m sure most think I’m homeless. It’s kind of accurate too.

Afterwards, I went to the nearby Goodwill. As I was walking there, I got a call back from the hostel owner saying that there was space available. I said I would take a bunk and she told be check-in was 2:30. I then walked intot the Goodwill to look for better shorts. They had none. I was there for maybe five minutes before leaving.

Second Lunch

I looked at my watch and saw that I had a good chunk of time to kill. I was walking past Three Li’l Pigs Barbecue and saw a sign saying that one of the specials was cheese curds. I immediately knew I was having a second lunch. I walked in, ordered a vinegar pork sandwich with a side of cheese curds. It wasn’t long before they came out. The sandwich was meh, but the cheese curds were to die for. They had little chunks of jalapeño and a homemade sauce. I left in a food coma.

I still had time, but I figured I would walk to the hostel and just wait on the porch. I started the walk back, which involved getting back on the AT, and was trying hard not to stop and nap. I didn’t realize that the walk was a mile and a half long. And up and down. How the AT managed that right next to the flat interstate is beyond me.

BeeCH Hill Hostel

I finally made it though and knocked on the back door just to let them know I was there. Yeeha answered the door and said that I could go to the bunkhouse right away. Yay! I really wanted to start on laundry. I claimed a bed (which was a full size) and then went to take a shower. The water pressure was the strongest I’ve had on trail. It was also an outdoor shower too. Love those. After changing into some loaner clothes, I started a load of laundry. 

While waiting, I laid in my bed and scrolled on Facebook. The person who was offering a place to stay texted me back saying that they had an air up mattress if I wanted that. I said I would love that. We conversed for a bit and I officially had a place to stay in Damascus. I just needed a way to get there. I then posted on Facebook asking if anyone was coming through Daleville on their way to Trail Days.

By that time, I went to change out the laundry only to find my clothing laying on the ground unwashed. Somebody removed my clothes to put theirs in. Who does that?! That irked me off big time. I then restarted my laundry. I was grumbling the whole way back to the cabin. After the hour was up, I went to put my stuff in the dryer only to find my clothes already in the dryer and done. I had things that shouldn’t be dried. Someone needs to learn to not touch other people’s shit. I, for the second time, grumbled my way back to the cabin.

Tour of Roanoke

By that time, Kait was picking me up. I waited outside for roughly ten minutes before she showed up. Despite being related, we know nothing about each other. We were strangers. We hugged and got into the car. She asked what food I was wanting and the type of vibe I was into and I said, “I’ll leave the local to decide.” She then drove us to downtown Roanoke. We talked about jobs and the trail. She works in promoting the city of Roanoke, so she was able to point out different places and some of the history. 

She decided on a place called Martin’s Downtown. We arrived just in time for trivia. We got drinks and ordered food. We set up the trivia app to play and proceeded to go through the first round. We both knew practically nothing – especially regarding sports. We both don’t care about that. We got our food, ate, and played the second round. We sucked on that too. After the second round, we decided to go out and get ice cream. She paid for the food, which was really sweet.

We then went to Blue Cow Ice Cream Co. This time, I paid. Since we were so close to a popular tourist destination, we went there. Any guesses? The Mill Mountain Star. It’s a stupidly large glow up star that sits on top of a mountain overlooking Roanoke. Of course we had to go. Honestly, it was a great time. She drove me back to the hostel and we parted ways. Kait was a blast to hang out with and I was glad she could do this last minute. I walked back into the cabin and knew everyone was up since the lights were on. It was just past 9:00. I was very happy to see that Duck was there.

My second cousin, Kait, and I.

Trail Days is Happening!

I got ready for bed, but saw that someone messaged me on Facebook saying that they had room in their car to take me. I was ecstatic! It has all come together in a matter of a day. I apparently made a gargling noise and Duck asked what was up. I told her and then asked if she had decided to go. She said she didn’t know. We talked well until 10:00 before I needed to go to bed. It was a long day.