Oats (and Thru!) on the Pinhoti: Day 6

Day 6, Thursday

The final morning I’d have the present of Thru’s presence, we set off early down the trail, my broken trekking pole poking up at a right angle over the side of my pack. Today was the day! We woke up with the sun and started counting the miles to the trailhead and shuttle back into Heflin. There awaited the promise of a shower, town food, my friends, and a refreshing drive. There were so many reasons to be excited. But before that, a climb reminiscent of the most technical parts of Rocks-lyvania lie ahead. I’ve hiked plenty of trails named Stairway to Heaven before, and like all the others this section truly lived up to the name. And it wouldn’t be a rock field if you didn’t lose the blazes every now and then and wander off in a decidedly easier but still wrong direction. (That happened more than a couple times).

Not to totally dunk on my dog, but Thru’s sense of direction isn’t the greatest. I admit, she’s not alone. I could tell you in detail every corner of my High School and childhood home though I haven’t been back in a decade, but try and get me to a secondary, unfamiliar location without a pin? I’m a goner, it’s basically a lost cause without my pocket robot telling me specifics. Eventually, against all odds, we successfully navigated the rock fields and climbed the crest of the ridge, ready to enjoy a couple miles of smooth hiking to the trailhead. Thru even got the special treat of scaring a roosted turkey out of its hiding place among the leaves, and I got the special treat of getting absolutely wrecked by the sudden startling noise and commotion.

Remember how I said a shuttle would be waiting? Not quite. Last night 8 Acorns hosted a huge group of hikers that needed to be back on trail in the morning and they all requested to be dropped off at various trailheads around Heflin (none where I was to be scooped.) After about 30 minutes and a little panic and a little cry, I quickly got over my frustration via photosynthesis. It occurred to me once again, I was exactly where I wanted to be. Thru Dog and I lay out in the parking lot and soaked up the sun, napping on and off for a couple hours as the occasional car came around the bend, continuing up the mountain.

Once, two girls about my age pulled up in a Subaru. They rolled down the passenger window as they approached my corner of the parking lot, letting loose a huge cloud of hazy smoke. Then the passenger yelled out to me, “Do you know this area well?!” I went to respond, but paused when I realized they were likely trying to ask for directions. I matched their cheery energy with a definitive “Nope!” They waved happily, despite my inability to help, and continued on around the bend, depper into the state park.

Apparently, folks aren’t used to seeing someone lying on the helicopter landing pad of the trailhead parking lot, because twice the park authorities pulled in to check on me. I sat up with a wave when I heard them approaching, and both immediately let out a sigh of relief, realizing it wasn’t the emergency it could have been. After confirming I was in fact alive and content, they left me to my sunbathing. But the second ranger couldn’t resist offering a little unsolicited advice beginning with, “Not to sound like your Daddy but…”. A familiar tune to my ears.

As relaxing as my time on the side of the road was, I was elated when the 8 Acorns shuttle pulled into the lot, ready to take me down the road. It turned out the driver’s wife was a high school teacher, and today was standardized testing, hence why he was later than expected (in addition to the flock of folks he dropped off before.)

The driver dropped me off at the gravel lot where my car was, still parked next to Heflin’s City Hall but now covered in a fine layer of yellow, dusty pollen. It took under a minute to throw my bag in the back and load up Thru Dog before we were back on the road. Destination: Charlotte. I thanked past Oats for leaving so many various treats, snacks, and electrolyte drinks preparing for this moment, and stopped for various drive-thru treats 3 separate times. After as much chicken nuggets and ice cream I could handle, my hunger was finally satisfied and my thoughts turned to my buddies waiting up for me at home.

Evidence, circa the Appalachian Trail, 2019

Stuck in Atlanta rush hour traffic, I picked at a small blister on the top of my ear and scratched at the peeling skin on the back of my neck. I should tell you now; I’m a picker. Big time. Yeah it’s pretty gross, and it has been a nervous habit my entire life.

I remember being asked once in college (by a crush, no less) if I had chicken pox because of all the irritated mosquito bites and scabs dotting my legs. While I was always somewhat embarrassed, I was never unhappy enough to kick the compulsion. After some pretty gnarly relationship trauma and being diagnosed with PTSD a couple of years ago, I didn’t want to draw the wrong kind of attention. For the last couple of years, it has actually been an unexpected, yet successful, strategy to keep folks at arm’s length.

Kicking this compulsion also happens to be a problem for future Oats. Present Oats has a bit too full of a plate to spend the energy breaking a lifelong habit at the moment. All that being said, my neck and ears were a haven of scratching and satisfaction.

My roommates are my best friends, and I felt the love and excitement at our return from trail the second I walked through the door. It took me a few moments to realize a couple of my other close friends were online with them, their collaborative video game projected onto our living room TV from their respective homes in Virginia. After a string of excited hellos, I was immediately offered carrot cake and veggie stir fry because, in Mia’s words, “You need to put at least one vegetable in your body.” (I did not. But you can bet I chowed down on the cupcakes and frosting she prepared earlier that day.)

The library was nice to come home to, too.

No plan for tomorrow, but somehow I didn’t feel too worried about it. I knew it would fall into place. Laundry, charging, shower, eating, sleeping: COMMENCE.

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