Zero #2

Day 0 - 5/4/10
Took the zero. Glad I did, just so my feet could get a break. They're not in bad shape by any means, but still I'm sure they appreciate a day off.

I didn't sleep great in the bunkhouse, I tossed and turned all night, so that was a little annoying. I think my body is now more used to sleeping on the ground. I woke up about 8, saw some hikers leaving, but around 8:30 is when the flood began. People started pouring into Uncle Johnny's, at least 15 showed up by 11:30, so I'm glad I made it in the previous day. It's very crowded, but I was happy to see many of my friends again, including Not Worthy, Dewlap (I spelled her name wrong last time), Rainer, and even Markus (got his wrong too, I just learned Germans use a K not a C). He hobbled in and I could see his ankle was in rough shape. He'll be taking a couple zeros at Uncle Johnny's to give it a break. I hope it helps so I see him again up along the trail.

So the hostel was a beehive all morning. Everyone was laying out their gear to dry, doing laundry, showering, taking bikes into town, etc. I was excited and overwhelmed, but seeing everyone all together made me feel so good. When 12:30 rolled around I took the free shuttle into town with 10 others and went to this small pizza place that does a buffet. It was funny walking in there with a huge crowd and all doing the buffet. They couldn't make pizzas fast enough, we all just devoured them. It was totally worth it too, only 7.67 per person!

After that I went into a dollar store across the parking lot and picked up some Icy Hot. I've got some sore muscles and figured I could use it. The shuttle picked us up at 2:00, took us to the post office for anyone that needed it, then brought us back to the hostel around 2:30. I had a cup of coffee with Markus, took down my tent, then hung around until it was close to 4. I rode a bike down the street to where I got service and made a phonecall to Jen, then a quick one to my Mom to clarify my maildrop that I'll be getting in Damascus.

It's almost 6 o'clock now, and I haven't gone down the trail a ways to set up my tent yet. I don't want to spend money on another night, 1 is good enough, but I like being back with all my hiker buddies. I've still got at least 2 hours of daylight to decide, and in the morning you will all know which path I chose. Either way, I'm back on the trail tomorrow, hopefully an early start! It has been great here at Uncle Johnny's, but it is definitely time for me to leave.

Paulina, I don't want you to think I've been rude, but I didn't see your comments until I was already here at the hostel. I will leave your message at the first and second shelters I come to tomorrow, so I hope your friend will see them. If not, there are plenty of nice people out here doing the hike that support one another, so I'm sure your friend has people backing him all the way. He'll make it to Katahdin!