16 1/2 miles brought me into Bridgeton where I found the hiker friendly Curtis Motel. Michael who runs the place was out collecting chicken eggs when I arrived so I had to wait outside for a bit. It felt good to sit on that bench. I had just beat out a lot of miles on a long, hot road. Once inside and after admiring his bucket of eggs, we got my room ($33 after tax) and he oriented me to the area.

It is important to realize that while I'm walking each foot gets a little rest break when it is lifted off the ground. Just standing in one spot begins to get painful. So there I was painfully shifting from one throbbing foot to the other trying to politely end the conversation. Nothing I said worked. He only launched into a new monologue. I was looking at the wall clock trying to remember when we started talking. 30 minutes ago? 40? I actually became lightheaded. This guy was going to make me pass out with his talking. Then I started getting tunnel vision and seeing starts. Holy crap! I was really going to faint! "I'm sorry but I've got to sit down, I'm feeling really strange." He brought me some water and a mini candy cane while I was sitting with my head down. Then he started talking about needing sugar and being a type II diabetic and the half a pill he needs to take ... . All I could think was "For f*cks sake man, you're killing me!" Fortunately I felt better soon and hustled out of there. A long hot shower and vigorous scrubdown never felt better.

Soon he and I were reunited for a drive over the river and to New Bern. My mission was to do laundry at the high tech Wash House. In addition to that Mike gave me an impromptu vehicle tour of the historic quarter. He knows an impressive amount of history regarding many of the buildings. Back to the washing ... my clothers have only been rinsed out once during the whole trip except the socks that I switched back in Avon on day 4, I think. That's funky.

And now I'm back in the motel filling my body with chicken and wine. The wine is a local one if you can believe that. www.duplinwinery.com. Scuppernong Blush is an easy drinking fun wine. Life is good on the trail.