I am in civilization for the night

Tonight I get to rest my head at the Sheraton Hotel close to Daleville, VA. It is so funny being back to civilization. I get funny looks also. I am wearing dirty hiking clothes but what I think draws the most attention to me is the feather and or wild flowers I have picked throughout the day and decorated my braids with. I forget they are there until I look in a mirror or a windows reflection. No wonder I get strange looking good  and mothers pull their kids closer to their sides. Haha. They’d be really scared if they saw what I saw a few days ago. 

It was mid afternoon and a beautiful sunny day. GQ was way ahead but Walking Man and I were basically hiking together with him about 50 yards advanced. The trail was flat and wandering through a grove lazily. I was fully engrossed in the days beauty when I came upon a couple sitting on a footbridge before a stream and I notice movement to my right and it was a buck-naked young man standing back to me. But he wasn’t back to for long. In a one smooth movement it was fully Monty   He said in a happy chipper voice, “Hi there, how are you today?” My reply, after a full inspection of course, “Well, I am not naked”. He said he was just enjoying the sunshine. I kept walking and was humored  all afternoon. What happens on the A.T. Should stay on the A.T. 

Happy Hiking everyone. 

Emily M. Leonard

About Emily M. Leonard

I am a 50 year old Maine native and lover of the outdoors. Former Physical Education teacher and soccer coach. I am Married to the best husband ever and gave up teaching and coaching to raise our two wonderful sons. I have always enjoyed being outside and on the go.