2-24-06
Start: Fort Ashby, WV
Finish: Not quite to Bridgeville, WV
Miles: 15
Weather: Cold again
We missed a turn today and kept going for 5 miles! So we walked 20 miles, just only 15 of the trail. Oops.
I have to continue the story from last night! After writing my journal entry, mom and I tucked into our sleeping bags and fell asleep. Suddenly we heard the faint voice of a female say, "Girls... girls? It's gonna' get cold tonight -- you can stay with us. You could get a hot shower."
You should have seen us pack up camp! A hot shower? Heck, yeah! Turns out the guy who let us stay by the water plant (Wayne) went home and told his wife, Cindi, and grandson, Alex, about us. So Alex and a family friend, Debi (she is also a reporter), were the ones that came and got us.
We went back to Wayne and Cindi's house and did an interview with Debi. She works at a college in WV, and recognized 4imprint right away when I mentioned they were a major sponsor -- their school orders promo products from them all the time! How cool! :) So we got showers and talked for quite a while with these wonderful suprise hosts! They were all so excited to meet us and were absolutely thrilled to see what we were doing. Wayne made us french toast and bacon in the morning, and then dropped us off at our start point. Fort Ashby, WV, has some big-hearted, amazing people living there! I'd like to thank Wayne, Cindi, Alex and Debi for the excellent hospitality!
THEN... maybe an hour and a half later we ran into a couple out for a morning walk. We talked and walked with them until their driveway, when they offered to pick us up off the trail and put us up for the night. It's been so cold at night, so we easily accepted the offer. And, I am so glad. Margy and Rodger are their names, and they certainly know how to spoil a couple of hikers! Even though we took a wrong turn, they still found us and brought us to their home where we got showered, fed, and readied for bed. And I believe we are having omelettes for breakfast. Yummy!
Margy was telling us that she has a brother that hiked the PCT, I believe -- at age 70 -- just recently. His trail name is 2 Sticks Ken. I'm going to have to read about his adventure when we're done!
West Virginia has been beautiful so far. Lots and lots of mountains! We're heading up to Dolly Sods in a couple of days, which many have warned us can be cold, windy and snowy. So we don't plan on camping near there... but the scenery sounds really cool, so I'm pretty excited about it -- and the challenge of a good climb!
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