Pearisburg VA, 622.1

Hi Everyone. It has been almost two weeks since our last post, but you have to remember, we do not always have access to computers and the internet.

While waiting for a computer at the public library in Pearisburg I was looking through a few newspapers and I see that the world goes on as Patty and I spend our time in the woods.

A lot of people probably think we are a little crazy to be doing this. We stopped at a small cafe/store on Saturday and a local character struck up a conversation with us. There were 3 other thru hikers who he had seen outside and then he came in and talked to Patty and I. He asked us what we got out of hiking the trail. We have pondered this a lot as we walked so it was not too difficult to answer him. We told him that we got one of the best experiences in the world. That we were able to meet great people from all over the country and also from the local areas we passed through. We told him that we were able to see some fantastic scenery, great views, flora and fauna that we don't normally get to see and even some wildlife. We also told him that we both enjoyed the physical and mental challenge the trip provided and the opportunity to spend time together. I asked him what he did and what he was passionate about. He told me he worked at an iron works and liked to mow lawns on his days off. We visited for a while longer and then he went on his way, hopefully not quite so miffed by the hikers he happens across.

Since we left Damascus on May 1 we have started to see the changes that we have heard about the trail in VA. Instead of 5000-6000 foot mountains the highest point so far has been just under 5000. We still have 2000 foot climbs and desents and there is still plenty of hardener (rocks) on the trails, but we have also come across a few long stretches of trail that are covered with just leaves and pine needles. The trail still follows the high ridges as much as possible, but, now it is harder to see the views below because the trees are leafing out. When you do have a view you see much more open farm land and open fields then trees.

I had planned on posting pictures of some of the flowers we have been seeing, but, we left the cable that connects the camera at a library in Hot Springs and I won't have it until our next town in a week or so. The librarian is going to mail it to me.

I will try to give you an update of what we have done since I last posted. To save weight, Patty is keeping the only journal, and I have made notes from her journal for the post.

May 1, 0 miles, a good day off in Damascus VA. It was 80 degrees and sunny. We did some shopping and Patty bought me some new rain gear, the spendy stuff that is light weight and supposed to breath. I shipped my state issued DNR rain gear home. So far it has been worth the price. Days off really are not days off as we usually have to do things like; laundry, resupply food and equipment, fix any gear, blog, and mail or call friends and family. One of these days we will have to take more than one day off. We might even take a day off on the trail if the campsite is nice enough.

May 2, 17.5 miles, Highs in the 80s and a beautiful day. We had breakfast as we left town and then started the climb that comes with leaving every town. The climbs are always made harder because you have the most food you will be carrying all at one time. In this case we had planned food for a 6 day trip. There is another trail that goes through the town of Damascus called the Virginia Creeper Trail. It is an old rail bed that is quite the bike trail. There were at least 3 bike rental businesses in town that shuttle people out about 30 miles on this trail who then bike back to town. The trip back is at the 5% grade that railroad used and almost all down hill. The trail follows or parallels the AT at times and goes through steep ravines and along the river. The parts of the trail we saw were fantastic. Judging by the numbers of Vans and trailers at the bike rental places this is a huge business and very popular spot. I would highly recommend it. We finished our hike and camped by a small creek. These are our favorite campsites because water is so close.

May 3, 11.1 miles, cloudy in the 50's and rain in the afternoon. We climbed the highes point in VA today, Mt. Rogers. The funny thing is the trail did not actually go up and over the summit. What a big change over the last 3 states where the trail went to the top of every high point you could see. The line we always used was that if you saw a high point, you either just came down from it or were going to climb it. Anyway this was a shorter day for us as the rain tends to slow you down a bit and the climb was not an easy one. We stayed in Thomas Knob shelter and listened the wild ponies whinny in the fog and rain. We also shared a meal of Ramps and Morell mushrooms with another hiker. Ramps are a wild onion that has a flavor that is a cross between onions and garlic. The saying is when one eats ramps all eat ramps.

May 4, 15.5 miles, rain and fog in the early am and beautiful and 65 late morning and afternoon.
I mentioned we listened to the wild ponies from the shelter. We had seen a few glimpses of them from the shelter, but, today we crossed into Grayson Highlands State Park and walked through a couple small herds of these small ferral ponies. We shot plenty of pictures and I even have Patty petting one. She really liked a small black colt. After another great hike we were able to camp by a small very pretty stream.

May 5, 20 miles, 65-70 for highs and a beautiful day. Our biggest day yet and we both survived. We still had some good ups and downs and there was still plenty of hardener in the trail, but, Patty was on a mission to order pizza for supper. We tented at the nicest shelter we have seen along the trail so far, Partnership Shelter. There were probably 8 or 9 other tents around a shelter that could hold 14 and had 4 people staying in. By this time most people value their sleep and would much rather tent then put up with one person who snores in the shelter. I did take a cold water shower at the shelter just so I could say I did. This shelter is adjacent to the hdqtrs of the Mt. Rogers National Forest and Pizza Hut delivers up to the gate of the hdqtrs., so we ordered a large supreme. We also had the opportunity to visit with a Ridge Runner, earlier in the day. Ridge runners are employed by the Nat. Park Service and Forest Service for 12 weeks at a time. They earn about $ 8.50/hr and are the "rangers" for the trail. They have no enforcement authority, and spend most of their time gathering information and educating hikers along with a small amount of maintainance to the trail.

May 6, 11.5 miles, 50-75 degrees and a beautiful day for hiking. This was a short day as we had a mail drop that was shipped to the Relax Inn. Since it was shipped there we stopped and relaxed once we arrived.

May 7, 14.3 miles, 50-80 degrees. Heavy packs again after a resupply and almost a dozen fence crossings. Yes I said fence crossings. Remember we are now in farm country and we have the occassional pasture to cross. We talk nice to the cows when we go through their territory. Anyway crossing fences with packs is enabled by stiles that either go up and over a fence as a form of steps, or as a gate that you have to weave through that a cow could not. I will try to post a picture of some of these when we get the cable back. Some were quite steep and Patty said she used some muscles that she had not used yet.

May 8, 18.6 miles, 50-65, cloudy and thunder storms by 6pm. After climbing a really high ridge we really could not see anything because of the trees and the way the ridge followed the landscape. I went ahead to the shelter to see if we would have to set up a tent or not and made it by 6pm. The sky opened up at 6:01 and we had about an inch of rain by the time Patty arrived at 6:10. We shared the shelter with a Southern Baptist Minister and his wife from Salt Lake. Had some interesting conversations.

May 9, 13.8 miles, 45-65. Another rainy day and we stayed at another shelter. Patty found another adoped son, a 22 year old from VA with a trail name of Bad Idea. She was very impressed with the quilt he had made to use in lieu of a sleeping bag.

May 10, 18.2 miles, 50-70. A great day for hiking with a stop for a double cheesburger at a small cafe/convienience store. We ate and picked up a few things and then caught a ride on the back of a flat bed pickup the 1/2 mile back to the trail. You will have to ask Patty about that ride. We hiked up another 2 miles and camped at the base of Dismall Falls. A great spot, even though it was a little loud.

May 11, 14.2, Cool and rainy, thunder, lightning, hail and wind. Stayed in a shelter after a very wet day and fixed all of our remaining food. A four course meal for mothers day. Patty enjoyed it.

May 12, 10 miles cool, foggy and rainy with a lot of wind. We hiked into Pearisburg and are staying at the Holiday Motor Lodge. Hopefully will take a day off tomorrow.

Until next time take care. We are still having fun

Red Dog and Lucky Dog.