I
am uploading my photos to Flickr as well. Here is my photo stream!
Day 47, Monday, 4/29,
hiked 14.8 miles, Hampton, TN to Vandeventer Shelter mile 434.0
Sam dropped me off at about 11:30 am. We said our goodbyes and
he prayed for me. I hiked up and over the hill. I think I saw Matt and Banter
but none of us recognized each other at the time. On the other side of the hill
I came to Watagua Lake - a manmade lake due to damming the river. I had to take
an alternate route around the lake because of flooding. Then I got to cross
Watauga Dam. I saw "Karma" camped out a little after Wilbur dam road.
I also met "Quaker" on the trail. He is an older gentleman with a big
white beard and no mustache. He was a Chemistry professor at University of
Indiana Pennsylvania - real nice guy. I came to find out later that he is
almost 80 years old and he is indeed a Quaker. His father passed away and his
very elderly mother told him he should hike the AT and spread is father's
ashes on every state border crossing. It wasn't a suggestion but a command.
Day 48, Tuesday, 4/30,
hiked 19.8 miles, Vandeventer Shelter to Double Spring Gap
mile 19.8
At
one point I came to a spot right before a road where a local Church had a metal
cage where they regularly leave snacks and drinks for hikers and they have a
sign that says they pray for us and want us to grow closer to God in the great
outdoors. I took a diet coke because that was all that was left. Right after
that the trail goes into a gravel path through a pasture- it is a handicapped
accessible trail. Then that stops and the trail goes right through and active
cattle pasture with beef cows.
pasture
Sun,
blue sky, bug puffy clouds beautiful green grass and a cold drink. It was
beautiful and reminded me of home and I could not help lingering for a bit to
take it all in - I love this so much!
Earlier
in the day my right leg had shin splints! It hurt very badly. I prayed, rested
a bit, took 800 mg of Ibuprophen then kept going - it felt better after less
than an hour of walking on it. Probably happened because I have been favoring
that side due to pain in my left foot.
Day 49, Wednesday, 5/1,
hiked 12.8 miles, Double Spring Gap to Damascus,
VA mile 466.6
Finally made it out of TN and in to VA! Then walked down the
hill to Damascus, VA known as the friendliest town on the AT - it goes right
through town. A town employee "Bill" was cutting the grass in the
park and stopped to welcome me, give me directions and let me know the best
places to eat.
Damascus sign
I was going to stay at the hiker Inn but the lady had no room -
she did try to help me find one elsewhere but I just ended up staying at
"The Place" a Church run Hostel. Lots of hikers there, only a $6
donation to stay. The town is very much built around the trail - many
businesses cater to it. But there is probably more business dedicated to the
national bike trial that runs through town, lots of bike shops and rental
places.
I had a terrible Buffalo chicken wing sub at a certain cafe in
town, service was bad too. Bill told me not to go there - Why did I not listen?
After dinner I walked over to the creek and soaked my feet - Sooo cold!
Day 50, Thursday, 5/2,
hiked 0 miles, Damascus, VA mile 466.6
Stayed another night at the hostel to let my foot heal. Talked
to the caretaker "Bayuo". The Church bought the house in 1975 for
parking space. When the bike trail was put in the Church agreed to let bikers
stay. The hostel was rundown until in 2000 the hiking community helped improve
it. Bayuo isn't a member of the church; he just runs things during hiker
season.
The
Place
I
went to Mount Rodgers Outfitters (MRO) and talked with the owner- real nice guy
- I think he might even be a believer. He got me set up with some
superfeet insoles. Says I will get more arch support. My feet will be higher
and thus shorter in the boot. >15-mile days will feel like I only did 12
miles. He cut up some old insoles and put them behind my laces. He says they
are tongue suppressors; he laced my boots different to keep feet from moving
around in the boot. More arch support should make my calves feel better. He
says this should make a big difference for me on the trail and then he
encouraged me to "keep smiling". I put a post on Facebook asking for
ideas for my hike-a-thon. A friend suggested "WAR International"
- that on is my favorite so far.
Day 51, Friday, 5/3,
hiked 17.5 miles, Damascus, VA to Campsite mile 484.1
Packed up and left The Place and stopped at "Cowboys"
for some blueberry pancakes. Met "headbones" older gentleman lives
outside Hot Springs, NC. He was in the military and has good memories of living
in San Antonio when stationed at Fort Sam Houston. He is retired but was some
kind of medical lab specialist. Also met "Doodles" a mechanical
Engineer - works for John Deere. Also met "Soleman" he has a friend named
"poor boy" who I did not met.
Day 52, Saturday, 5/4,
hiked 21.8 miles, Campsite to Orchard shelter mile 505.9
Walked over Whitetop mountain - it was very very windy!
Hurricane force winds over the bald, foggy and cold. The wind came from the
side and I had to lean and put my hiking poles at a 45 degree angle just to
stand up! There was a man and girl headed southbound down the mountain before I
got up there. They said it lifted the girl off her feet! I would meet up with
these two again later - they are a father (Kaboose) and 13 year old daughter
(Sasaphrase)Check out this article Yahoo did
about their hike
Made it to the shelter on Mt. Rodgers for lunch -real cold. Made
it to Grayson Highlands State Park. Went through "fatman squeeze" a
rock tunnel.
Going through the highlands was cool - lots of rock outcroppings
and balds and I got to see the wild ponies! They were real cool and I saw lots
of them. I could only get within about 10 feet before they would run off a
little.
Wild Ponies
Oh, and they all slept in a big pile!
Crossed 500 miles!
Day 53, Sunday, 5/5,
hiked 24.7 miles, Orchard shelter to Partnership
Shelter mile 530.6
Got up really early. Only a little rain at night. I saw
"Cruse" and "Corndog" again. I had not seen them since the
Smokies. I did not recognize corndog at all because he shaved his beard. The
rain held off until mid afternoon right after I finished my lunch. I put
plastic bags on my hands to keep them dry and protect them from the wind. It
worked fairly well. Walked through a real nice meadow/clearing in the light
rain. Came across a box left by a local Church with food and drinks - didn't
have much left but I got some candy. It was a real nice box left by the youth
group and had hand prints and the names of the kids all over it - real sweet -
They also had a sign on the road welcoming hikers to walk down the road to
Sunday Services. Unfortunately it was Sunday afternoon by the time I got there.
It was rainy and windy but the terrain was flat and you can order pizza at the
visitor's center at the next shelter so I hiked real fast and got there by
5:45pm. Got there and ordered my pizza - downed that whole medium pizza and mt.
dew in no time. My hands were cold when I stopped and I was a bit wet - stayed in the shelter in my sleeping bag with my pizza on my lap and drifted into
pizza heaven (directly adjacent to Thru-hiker heaven). Smokes and Smiley were
there and there were lots more people upstairs. The shelter had showers but
they were of course cold water so I abstained.
Day 54, Monday, 5/6,
hiked 0.1 miles, Partnership shelter to Visitors center
mile 530.7
Took the $0.50 Shuttle to Marion, VA. I got my room and then
went across the road to the other hotel that had a restaurant but they were
closed, but fear not for I went to Sonic instead! Then I went to my room and
watched Demolition Man on TV. I love that movie! Oh and if i'm ever talking to you and I say "you know that movie that is like Judge Dread but way better?" I am referring to Demolition man, I just can't ever remember the name.
Day 55, Tuesday, 5/7, hiked 11.5 miles, Visitors
center to Atkins, VA mile 542.2
Took the shuttle back to the trail, there were lots of other
hikers also on the shuttle. A big group was slack packing to Atkins. Saw Cruse
and Corndog again and also saw Guru who I met in Erwin and saw Twigs, and met
Starface and Garden girl. I saw Apa again - I hadn't seen him in a long time. I
also met "Danno" who is a retired attorney/legislator in Hawaii. Also
met "Noodles" a retired firefighter from San Fransisco. He has hiked
the PCT before. When I got to Atkins I split a hotel room with Noodles and Red
knees. I didn't want to stop but it was raining and there was a flood watch and
thunderstorm warning.
I went over a lot of flooded streams, rock hopping and jumping
over and getting my feet wet. I went past a one-room schoolhouse - it
was just past a 1890's era farm. Hikers are welcome in the schoolhouse,
which is pretty much just a museum now. I went in and saw the old style desks
and wood stove and on the wall was a list of offenses and punishments.
One room school house
school house punishments
Noodles (front) and Danno (behind)
It was raining as I hiked in to Atkins the light woods gave
way to clearings and the wind and rain set free white tree peddles that floated down to the ground around me. Then I went through a few
clearings -without fail every time I reached the middle of a clearing I
would hear a the load crack of the thunder not too far in the distance -
the shadow of heaven and of hell nearly touching.
Met "Hawk" he has hiked the AT before, just doing part
of it again to stay active. He was born in Turkey.
Day 56, Wednesday, 5/8, hiked 13.9 miles, Atkins,
VA to Knot Maul Branch Shelter mile 556.1
Packed up my stuff and left the hotel. Went to the gas station
before I left and got coffee. Walked under I-81 and back to the woods.
Went through farmland, through fields and pastures and over fence stiles.
One stile was way over my head! Note: fence Stiles are these ladders
that you climb up and over a fence thus allowing hiker access but keeping
the livestock in. They look like this:
Saw
a bird with very bright red body and black wings. It was rainy and a bit cold.
Very muddy. I had to climb up a hill a bit to get around a fallen tree. I
literally skied down on the mud on the other side of the tree.
Met
"OB" - stands for "Old and Busted"
It
was raining a lot of the way and my feet were hurting from my brand
new blisters that I was developing due to the wet weather, so I decided to stop
and stay in the shelter even though it was early afternoon. Of course the rain
pretty much stopped soon after I got settled in the shelter but I was pooped
and happy to have a warm and dry place in the shelter. There was much
discussion that night about how much education the average thru-hiker has. In
the shelter we had 3 engineers and statistician and an attorney.
Day 57, Thursday, 5/9, hiked 19.1 miles, KnotMaul
Branch Shelter to Jenkins Shelter mile 575.2
Formally met Kaboose and Sasphrase. Met "Banyon"
Fun climb up clearing on Chestnut Ridge. At the top is Chestnut
knob shelter, which is a cool fully enclosed stone shelter in a clearing.
Chestnut Ridge
Amazing view of a valley surrounded on all sides by high ridges.
Down in the valley are about 20 farms and you can see all of them! Walked the
ridgeline - you can see the ridgeline I walked to the right in the picture
below. It was rocky and tough!
Farm valley
Day 58, Friday, 5/10, hiked 23.8 miles, Jenkins
Shelter to Jenny Knob Shelter mile 599.0
Fairly easy hiking- mostly flat even trail, made it to US 52
which is about 2.5 miles from Bland, VA. Trail goes right by a Church so I sat
outside the Church and ate lunch. Lots of hikers getting picked up and dropped
off from Bland. One local even came over and gave us some water and offered a
ride in to town. He had a 45 cal on his hip (soo common in the South - I love it)
I really wanted to keep hiking so I declined the ride.
By the way, a missed
opportunity for that Church -they didn't even have a sign welcoming hikers to
Sunday services and they are 30 feet from the trail. 30 feet from more than
1500 hikers every year that need Jesus! But then again they may have some
outreach I don't know about and I've missed A LOT of such opportunities myself.
The trail crosses I-77 cool area between mountains with cut outs for the
roads. I got to the shelter about 1 mile from the road but it was still early.
I had 1.5 liters of water and my guide showed no more water sources for at least
10 miles but I went anyways. Then it started raining and thunder/lightning and
on I went charging down the ridgeline (it has trees - I wasn't in the open) -
there is a point when despite the fear you have to man up and go! So I went
praying the whole way that I would not have to walk on an exposed bald and that
I would be I would be safe, warm, dry and find water - God Provided - But who's
surprised at that? I came across some section hikers who gave me water and when
I got to the shelter there was space for me. It was a long day but you can
really fly when you are dodging lightning (Its hard to dodge lightning because
it travels a 3x10^8 meters/second). I've had some fun opportunities
to just go and trust God on the trail. In my other life I would have a hard
time pointing out many times I had to trust God in something, but out here I
have to trust so for all my daily needs: water, food, shelter, the weather,
rides to town. It's been a good growing experience. I hear other hikers
speaking of this provision and say "The Trail Provides" I say the
trail is just dirt, God Provides.
Met section hiking couple "Hopps" and "Trail
wench"
Day 59, Saturday, 5/11, hiked 14.2 miles, Jenny
Knob Shelter to Wapiti shelter mile 613.2
They
were predicting more storms for the afternoon so I was trying to plan my hike
around that. When I crossed Kimbering creek there is a cool wooden suspension
bridge going over it. The bridge wobbles and sways as you go but it is very
sturdy.
Wood suspension bridge
After
the creek I came to a road and walked half a mile to Trent's Grocery which is
pretty much just a gas station/convenience store. I had some food and took a
very nasty shower. The shower was down a dirt road next to some old campers and
a horse pasture - it was nasty beyond reason. I was at that place 2 hours
waiting for the storm to start thinking I could wait there till it stopped. The
section hikers that gave me water the day before were there too and had the
same idea. By 2 pm it had barely rained at all so I gave up and just went! At
least I got to eat some hot food and have some coffee.
I hiked about 2 miles
and here comes Smokes with no pack hiking south! He is looking for his friend
Smiley. I kept going another mile and then there was Smiley heading south too!
They had somehow missed each other but met up later on. It rained the last 2
hours before reaching the shelter but I got a spot no problem.
"Dreamer" (who I met in the Smokies) and his son "Tex" and
friend "Oppie" where there that night.
That
night we could hear a pack of Coyotes not too far from the shelter; they were
making a lot of noise. It sounded as if they were fighting or had cornered some
animal. Coyotes really aren't dangerous to humans but they do make some erie
noises in the night.
Day 60, Sunday, 5/12, hiked 17.6 miles, Wapiti
Shelter to Pearisburg, VA mile 630.8
Some
rain, a bit cold, very muddy trail. Met "Temp" and
"Stumbles" when I stopped for lunch. Also met "rainbow
braid" and her mother. Nice views of the valley below. Called for a
hotel from the trail and invited Red Knees to share the room with me. We saw
"Hoppes" and "Trail Wench" before the decent to town. They
have a car parked at the Old Rendezvous motel (Which burned down in March) and
they gave us a ride to our hotel!
On top of the mountain before the decent in to Pearisburg
Remains of the Renevous
motel
It
was Mother's Day and there were lots of day hikers out. I called my Mom when I
got to town and wished her a Happy Mother's Day.
I
have been thinking about what I want to do when I get back - probably thinking
about it way too much in fact. I'm making lists and plans for work and personal
life. Daydreaming makes the miles go faster but then I get antsy to go do this
stuff. Whatever I like this life and I like my life off the trail - But I'm
doing the trail first.
Day 61, Monday, 5/13, hiked 0 miles, Pearisburg, VA
mile 630.8
Just
hung out in Pearisburg. Got a crappy economy room at the same hotel - Holiday
motor lodge. The owner's father (I'm told that's who it was) sits in a chair
next to the front desk all day! Lots of people live in the hotel and there is
some kid that was pacing back and forth on the balcony all day. The town is a
bit depressed - lots of closed businesses. Even the Valero is closed. They do
have a factory there that makes filters for cigarettes. I went to the Mexican
resonant for dinner and there was the section hikers that gave me water a few
days back. "Tin cup" and "Centrum" they invited me to sit
with them and even bought me dinner. Centrum gave me his email and told me to
send him an email and picture when I finish. Centrum is some kind of
salesman for startup medical companies. He talked allot about the importance of
employees to be able to be independent workers and not afraid to make mistakes.
Met
"Shamen" this is a different Shaman from the one I met before.
Send
home my Z rest, fleece and old insoles home.
Day 62, Tuesday, 5/14, hiked 20.5
miles, Pearisburg, VA to "The Captains" mile 651.3
I
camped at The Captains that night. Just a guy that let's you tent in his
backyard. It was cool; I took a zip line from the creek over to his yard. Its
just a cable system that you sit on and someone else pulls you across but it
was still fun!
When
I got across I found a bunch of other hikers, a campfire, some friendly dogs
and you can go grab free cold sodas from a fridge on the back porch! I met the
captain. We though maybe he was a ship or airplane captain - nope- he looks
like captain kangaroo!
The Captains
Day 63, Wednesday, 5/15, hiked 17.3 miles, "The
Captains" to Laurel Creek Shelter mile 668.6
Day 64, Thursday, 5/16, hiked 22.5 miles, Laurel Creek
Shelter to Pickle Brach Shelter mile 691.1
Saw a bear today! it was a smaller bear and by the time i realized he was there he was nearly to the other side or the ridge I was walking. I also saw a snake. not sure what kind but he was laying across the path to the shelter that night. I through a few sticks is his direction so encourage him to get off the trail so some other hiker didn't step on him. He did move, but took his sweet time.
Snake
Day 65, Friday, 5/17, hiked 14.6 miles, Pickle
Branch Shelter to Catawba Mountain shelter mile 705.7
Daragons
tooth
The view from dragons tooth
700
miles
The
home place restaurant
Day 66, Saturday, 5/18, hiked 17.8 miles, Catawba
Mountain shelter to Daleville, VA mile 723.5
Went
to McAfee Knob in the morning with Better Man and Smothers - it was foggy -
could not see the view at all.
McAfee
Knob
The
next view we came to was the Tinker Cliffs
I
met "The Dude" he is from a small town near Batavia, NY which is
close to where I grew up in NY.
Day 67, Sunday, 5/19, hiked 11.2 miles, Daleville, VA to
Wilson Creek Shelter mile 734.7
It finally worked out that I could be in town on a Sunday morning so I went to Church for the first time since I set out on this trip. I went to Botetourt Community Church. They we very welcoming, helped me find a place to keep my pack and about half of their congregation came over at one point to shake my hand. Its nice to know that even if you smell and haven't shaved in over two months you can still be welcomed in to a good Church.
Botetourt Community Church
Day 68, Monday, 5/20, hiked 20.8 miles, Wilson Creek
Shelter to Bryant Ridge Shelter mile 755.5
Cool
shelter
Bryant Ridge Shelter
Day 69, Tuesday, 5/21, hiked 17.1 miles, Bryant Ridge
Shelter to Marble Spring campsite mile 772.6
Day 70, Wednesday, 5/22, hiked 7.7 miles, Bryant Ridge
Shelter to US 501 (stayed in Glasgow, VA) mile 780.3
Hiked
out and make it to the road by about 10:30 am. The trail parallels the James
River for a mile and then I crossed the river on a bridge that is the longest
foot traffic only bridge on the AT. I had to hitch in to Glasgow - it is
about 6 miles from the trail. Took about 15 minutes and then a nice
younger guy gave me a ride. He said his brother hiker the trail a few years
ago. I like Glasgow - it was small but nice. For some reason there was a
dinosaur statue by the road. I asked local why it was there, she said some
guy in the town made a lot of those statues and they used to be all
around town but they took everything down but the dinosaur - she says the tourist
seem to like it.
Glasgow dinosaur
Day 71, Thursday, 5/23, hiked 10.5 miles, US 501 (stayed
in Glasgow, VA) to Punchbowl Shelter mile 790.8
I took
my time getting back to the trail in the morning. Talked to Banzai for a little
bit. Turns out he is going to seminary after the trail (Lutheran I think). Our
conversation drifted around dispensationalism, Calvinism, Arminianism,
predestination and the Lutheran perspective eon each of these. I did some other
course and stuck out my thumb to hitch back to the trail. The second car that
came by picked me up! New record - about 30 seconds to get a hitch! It was a
long climb up the mountain but I only needed to do about 10 miles that day.
Smothers and Better man were at the shelter when I got there. I tented that night
and of course it rained but I stated mostly dry. There was a thunderstorm that
moved through at one point the lightning was very close, only half a second
between the light and sound. But we were safe and none of the dead trees I
camped under feel on me - win win.
Day 72, Friday, 5/24, hiked 11.3 miles, Punchbowl
Shelter to US 60 (Buena Vista) mile 802.1
I got up
and hiked out. Met "sweet tooth" at a road crossing. She was handing
out soda and snacks. She is following her husband "Molar man" up the
trail. I haven't met him yet. He is a retired dentist and was an industrial
engineer before that. She says he switched to dentistry because he wanted to
work with people more and that the guy who bought his dentistry practice also
used to be an engineer. I don't want to be a dentist and I like people well
enough but life as an engineer easily fulfills my daily human interaction
quota.
I
hitched in to Buena Vista with Smoothers and Better man then waited at Hardee's
for my parents to come pick me up. They came down to get me of the trial and
spend Memorial Day weekend with me.
Day 73, Saturday, 5/25, hiked 0 miles, Lexington, VA and
Damascus, VA
Got a
haircut and a shave for the firs time since I started the trail. Just had them
clean up my beard a bit - I plan on growing it out as much as I can before I
finish the trail.
My
parents and I went down to Damascus VA to met up with my old trial family! they
took a day off in Damascus to "Bike Blaze". They rented bikes and
took a ride along the Virginia creeper trail.
I went
to the outfitter to get new boots. My old ones are shot. My parents generously
bought me the old boots last year and between the AT and my practice hikes they
have about 1000 miles on them. My feet were hurting more than normal and I
looked down to find a huge crack in the soles - so, time to replace them.
I didn't
get to see everyone but Borders, Doobie, Pink Panther, Glowbug, Tin man, and
Yukon where there. It was great to see them again!
Trail Family Reunion! (minus Gweejo, Spider and Tumbleweed)
Day 74, Sunday, 5/26, hiked 0 miles
.jpg)