Date: 2016-04-17
From: Hurricane Mntn Shelter

To: Big Walker Motel
Miles today: 77.4
Weather: clear sky

This entry covers the last 4 days as I've been largely out of cell coverage. Since leaving Hurricane Mntn on Thursday morning (4/14), I've walked 77 miles and am now at a cozy motel in Bland, Va, just a few miles from the trail at mile marker 590.1The last time i was in something other than a tent or AT shelter was Tuesday morning, leaving Damascus in the rain. It has not rained since, and starting Thursday morning, no evening has dropped below freezing. The weather has been great for hiking, as has the terrain. Virginia has its changes in elevation, but seems to have more switchbacks on the ascents and descents which makes the hiking easier on the lungs and knees. There are also a number of flat runs, sometimes through beautiful farmland, which is really nice on the eyes after being in so much forest. I have had 3 days of being nearly pain free which makes everything all the more enjoyable. The trail magic is thinning a bit as is the volume of hikers. I'll check the facts. But I think something like 75 percent of people who start with the intention of reaching Maine never make it. I've met a number of people already who had started in prior years and got knocked out, only to be back trying it again. Injuries have ranged from severe bronchitis, to Lyme disease, copperhead snake bite, torn ACL, broken ankle, and lots of broken spirits. I am thankful to not have any serious injuries yet (I'd say "knock on wood", but in the National Forest, it would seem redundant!)Highlights of the last few days have been many, including:1) Having lunch with Miles, a 2012 Chem Engineering graduate from the U of New Hampshire which is what and where I graduated from in 1983 - several,of my professors were his!2) The VA shelters and trails are incredibly well maintained, as are the privy's...particularly compared to TN - my guess is the State puts a good deal of money into this3) Meeting "Old Man" and sharing some food with him as he shared a beer with me. He is a 60 yr old first generation Chinese immigrant who looks like he is 40. He lives in Scranton Pa where his wife is a University Professor, but spends the week in Manhattan, writing for a Chinese newspaper. His closer connection to me is that he lives,in Flushimg, NY during the week which is in the neighborhood of where I was born and lived until First grade.4) Being given the cell phone number of Jim Sparks by the MOUNT Rogers visitors center who said if I needed a ride to or from town, Jim was liable to do it. I did call Jim and he picked me up within 10 minutes and refused to take anything other than a "thank you". Jim is a retired electrician and enjoys healing hikers!5) Saying hello to Louis on the trail outside of Damascus on Tuesday. He is a retired insurance professional from Southern Indiana who enjoys taking day hikes and bikes down here. Today, some five days and 120 hiking miles away, I'm having no luck hitch-hiking from the trail to the motel, and who stops to pick me up, but Louis! He wasn't going in my direction, but thought I looked familiar and he drove me right to the front office of the BIG WALKER MOTEL.6) Enjoying some conversation with Sub-man and his wife Suds (it's not what you think!).   He is a retired Navy Chief and spent time on two submarines in the same class (George Washington class boomers) as mine - the Simon Boliver and the Sam Rayburn. 7) Saying goodby to Rock, who I hope to see further up the trail. He was a Navy Seabbee who was in a Chinook helicopter that got shot down, woke up 3 days later, and spent 9 months in traction. He is now a chef and doing well. ,8)' Getting some great maildrops from my three favorite sisters with another one on the way from my friends at Kaiser Permanente9) Facetimimg with my wife Kim who has been with Liam out of the country for a week. While I still haven't taken a selfie (ever), I now FaceTime with the best of them...10)'mAnd finally, another nice milestone was experienced earlier this week...see picture above!