Today was a day of unexpected twists and turns, and it led us to one of the most fascinating places I've ever seen. It all started with a simple walk down the mountain to filter some water, but then a quad appeared out of nowhere, bringing with it an empty trash can, two apple pies, and a freshly printed weather report. The forecast wasn't promising, predicting heavy thunderstorms and rain starting at 2 pm, which was a concern for our plans to climb Dragon's Tooth, the first of the Virginia Triple Crown. Dragon's Tooth is known for its treacherous climb, especially when it's wet, and we were worried about the upcoming rain. However, we decided to press on, and that's when things took an interesting turn. As we hiked for about 5 minutes, it started to rain, and we realized that the forecast had been accurate. The rain stopped, but the rocks were already wet, and we faced a difficult decision. We had to choose between continuing the hike or turning back. After some deliberation, we decided to turn back and call Just Sam, the owner of Huckleberry's, a nearby hostel. It was a tough call, as I wanted to hike Dragon's Tooth, but I also wanted to avoid any potential accidents. I reminded myself of the Russian proverb, "Podumav, reshaysya. A reshivsya, ne dumay," which means, "Think before making a decision, but when you make a decision, stop thinking." It was time to let go of my stubbornness and make the right choice. The shuttle brought us to a gas station/grocery store, where we stocked up on food, drinks, and snacks. Huckleberry, the owner of the hostel, shared a concerning statistic: he had already brought 20 people to the urgent care and 9 people to the hospital from Dragon's Tooth, all because of wet conditions. This confirmed that our decision to turn back was the right one. Despite my initial disappointment, I realized that safety was the top priority. Huckleberry's hostel is a unique and impressive place. It's huge, with nice bunks, showers, laundry, a fire pit, and a carport to sit under if it rains. He even got us a reservation at a fancy Southern all-you-can-eat diner in an old plantation house. After a delicious meal, we returned to the hostel, where Ferdinand's Tombstone references had inspired me to watch the movie. However, the atmosphere at Huckleberry's was too captivating. We decided to sit around the fire, with Dreamcatcher playing the guitar, and enjoy the moment. The hostel's unique charm, including a surreal moment where Doohickey and Dreamcatcher conversed in Dutch, made it an unforgettable experience. In the end, today's events taught me that sometimes the smart thing to do is to let go of our plans and embrace the unexpected. It's all about making the right decision and enjoying the journey, no matter what surprises come our way.
