Update 7 June 25                                                                   

 

    Today I hiked from the Punchbowl Shelter @ marker 1394.4 to 1412.6 Marble Spring. I had cell network as I climbed the last mountain but not now.

   Met some really interesting folks, thru hikers, today. 

   General Hendricks, the latter name given him by a friend who likes how he plays Purple Haze, is the first Black American thru hiker I have met. We had a very good conversation. One of his companions took our PIC and he said he would email it to me.

    Yeves is a 75 yr old French man who I am told clicks along at 18 mi a day. He spoke almost no English. But just behind him I met Bayou and he gave me more info as they have camped at the same places. Bayou said he would read Curt Iles' book, Trampled Grass since he is also from the state of LA.

    Mama Bear is walking with her 7 yr old twins and a 13 yr old. They were chugging up a very steep hill at a good pace. Unreal!

    I finally got cell signal at the end of the day. Talked to Renee and Doug Lee. The latter is a former colleague from Kenya who now lives near Lynchburg. He will meet me on Tues with resupply. Will be great to see him.

    Renee told me about the passing of Ned Dellinger, the young son of Travis and Betsy. I am praying for them and their extended families to whom I feel very close. Also she said Leslie and Judah are still sick and now Sheila has come down with whatever they brought with them. Praying they all get well ASAP.

   I hope the post office at Buena Vista will agree to send my bounce box on up to Daleville. Turns out the former PO does not open on Sat and I got to BV just after 17:00 on Fri. 

    Hope to make it to Bryant Ridge Shelter tomorrow @ Mi Marker 1429.7. That should facilitate Doug meeting me on one of two roads the AT crosses that are near Buchanan. If he brings food I will not have to get off the trail until Daleville.

Uncle