Miles: 0
Man, I love zero days with a passion. Love them, love them, love them. A lot.
After running the usual errands to the post office, general store and library, we had to catch up with the real world... had to send some notarized documents to a lawyer for our house. The post office pointed us to a small gift shop that is run by a notary public; however, she didn't have the stuff with her, so she told us where another notary public lives -- "Right down by the bank in a big house on the right." Yeah. We're in a small town.
So, we knocked on this woman's door and she did everything for us. It was awesome! And then she wouldn't take anything for it... I couldn't believe it. This small town thing is sweet.
We tried to catch up on e-mail and the online stuff, but were booted out by the nasty librarian. She definitely wasn't as nice as the notary public :) After that, we met up with Lonestar for lunch and had a Beer Can Stove Craft Show. Wonderboy, Tangent and Semi-Sweet gave us a lesson in the wonders of making your own beer can stove last night. So, today, Lonestar and Kevin tried their hands at it. They worked surprisingly well and hopefully will do a great job replacing our $120 stove. Sheesh. What a waste. Anyway, it was a very Boy-Scoutish way to spend a couple of hourse... except that Kevin got fancy and put the PBR logo on the inside of the stove. He's trying for the Craft AND Art badges. Silly engineer.
The best part of the day was being able to catch up with Huda and Amy. It was incredible to talk with them and get back into the jive of the "other world." The oddest feeling came over me as we hung up and I went downstairs to catch dinner with Kevin and Lonestar... it just felt like I'm in a totally different world now. I'm wondering how the "re-entry" will be at the end of this. I can easily see how it could be difficult for some, especially when finishing a 6-month thru-hike.
While talking with Amy, it took me back to when I was just about to leave on this trip. Covering and reviewing the basics, but nervous and restless nonetheless. I can't wait for them to start experiencing Australia and New Zealand... it will be incredible to see their hard work and dreams come alive. And then, of course, I can't wait to visit them! I hope they have just a phenomenal experience... it will inspire us all. In fact, it really already has.
I know I'll have great memories of that fabulous Wolf Burger while hiking tomorrow. (Sausage, meat, bacon, mushrooms and onion - how can one burger get better?!) Hopefully it won't be as hard as the day after Monson was.
Loved the town, caught up with friends and it's off to the Trail for me.
- Reminiscing Bobo