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Saturday–June 19, 2021
Trail Day–120
Trail Mile–-14.9/1,323.8
Location–Smith Roach Gap, then to Airbnb, Stanardsville, AT Mile 905.2
The Airbnb cabin we’re staying in has a bathtub. Oh yes, filled it with the hottest water I could stand, then soaked my old bones for the longest time. This routine is pure therapy. The hot water gets my blood really going, which loosens and soothes my stiff old joints after a long hammer-it-out day on the trail.
After my bath–and supper, T-Bone brings his guitar out and plays and sings the most joyful old songs. It was a happy and fun-filled evening.
T-Bone has coffee on by five-thirty this morning, and he places a full plate of eggs, sausage, and toast in front of me shortly after.
A cool morning as T-Bone drives me up toward Skyline. Same deal here this morning. No one at the toll gate shack, shades pulled, gates open. T-Bone goes right through.
Back to Doyle’s River Trailhead, I’m out to another glorious day by seven-thirty.
T-Bone has commitments he’d previously made for today. So, he heads to Roanoke. He’ll be back up again soon though, hopefully to get in some hiking time with me.
The mid point in my hike today is Pinefield Gap. Tulip has driven there with lunch, and from there, on up to Smith Roach Gap, where she’ll hike in to meet me. I’ve a good amount of climbing to do (more rocks) but manage to make decent time. Tulip meets up with me at Flattop Mountain and we hike together on down to Smith Roach–to end the day.
I cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for…
friends who have given me a heart full of joy.
(Charles R. Swindoll)
