Bud and Vicki Hogan's 1996 Appalachian Trail Journey
July 1
Again, we walked the 5 blocks to breakfast at a quick stop cafe. I had my first cup of coffee that I had in weeks. I had been a regular coffee drinker, 1-2 pots a day before we started the hike. I had no problem stopping while on the trail. It was a decision to save fuel, weight, and time.
Back to "The Place" to ponder how we would get to Abingdon and the bus station. This is how we planned to get back to our car which we had left at Amacalola Falls 6 weeks ago.
The rent at "The Place" is $2.00 per night, per person, one night only, please, without prior approval. And please pick up after yourself. These are the rules. (and no alcohol) They even furnish towels for the showers, just please wash them when you are through.
Vicki and I have to get to Abingdon, VA. to catch a bus. The question on our minds is "how the heck are we going to get to Abingdon?" I'm really not in the mood to walk. That's another thing I discovered on the AT. I don't mind making miles on the trail, but I hate to walk into towns or other side trips. It doesn't add to your completion of the AT. I am a goal oriented person. Oh, well.
I've checked the bus schedule and the bus to Atlanta doesn't leave until 8:00 pm, so we have plenty of time to figure out how we are going to get to Abingdon. Since we had plenty of time and so we could do our good deed, we decided to wash the pile of dirty towels that have been left by others. So we gathered a huge mound of dirty towels and headed to the laundry, again. We had just gotten the towels into the dryer when a couple walked in. They were very friendly. They asked us if we were hikers. We told them "yes, we were hikers." I hadn't noticed it, but, some time ago I had become very comforable out on the trail. During the past six weeks we had been transformed from novices to actual hikers. We told them some about our journey, that we had just completed our goal and were, some how, headed to Abingdon to catch a bus. And luck prevailed. They said that as soon as they had finished their wash that they were going to Abingdon, and offered us a ride. Trail Magic, again. We arranged for them to pick us up on the front porch of "The Place."
Got back, delivered the fresh towels, collected our gear, said goodbye to "Woody Pop", and waited on the front porch of "The Place". They arrived very soon, and we were off. Off of the trail that had been home for the past 6 weeks. We hadn't even left the trail and we were already homesick to return.
Got to Abingdon, found the bus station, said goodbye and thanks to our new friends, bought our tickets and checked our packs. We now had 8 1/2 hours to kill in Abingdon. Beautiful little place. We were close to an historic area, so we made use of our time. Had lunch at "The Hardware Store." Cute place, good food. Walked all around. We were used to walking and it felt good to be moving, especially without our loaded packs. Walked 1 1/2 miles to a shopping center. It was a very hot day. Saw a TCBY yogurt place. I'd never tried it before. Really liked it. This would not be the last time I go to a TCBY.
Found a library, walked through, spent some time on their internet connection. Headed out and it started to rain. We took shelter under a tree, not minding being a little wet. We had gone through worse. Talked about how differently we felt about being out in the rain, now, from how we used to feel. Rain lets up, we leave. Took the long way back to the bus station.
Came across a huge civic complex. The rain starts again just as we approach. We hasten our steps. We make it inside and find that the complex is housing an exhibit of Ansel Adams photographs. One of his most famous photographs is a favorite of mine, "Half Dome" at Yosemite. Most of these are works I had never seen. He was much more of an artist than I had ever realized. I gained a new respect for his work. Also discovered that he was a trained classical pianist. That was his first love, music. He attributed his success in photography to his discipline that he had learned in music. Just before leaving the complex, the clouds opened up and poured every ounce of water that they contained. It is another deluge. And we are dry. I'm almost sad. It would have been nice to be sitting in a shelter in the middle of the woods with this kind of rain.
The bus arrives at 8:00pm and we begin the 13 and 1/2 hour, overnight bus ride to Gainsville.
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