Date: 2017-09-10
From: My brother's house in Lewisburg, WV

To: Trent's Grocery, VA
Miles today: 25.8
Weather: clear sky

9/9/17, Trent's Grocery, VAMiles hiked: 2126.0, Miles to go: 64.3Today ranks high on my list of Great Trail Days. It definitely ranks as the best day of this section of the hike. My brother dropped me back at the AT at Pearisburg around 7:45 AM and I started climbing. And climbing. It was almost a 2000 ft climb to the ridgeline. I started off in the fog and climbed out of it as I ascended. Once I gained the heights, the rest of the day was spent undulating along the ridge. Although I had to cross a few rocky sections, for the most part the treadway was smooth and easy, allowing me to set a mile-eating pace. In addition, the weather was just about perfect - sunny and cool.  At one point I heard two creatures crashing through the underbrush to my right. I have seen a bunch of deer through this section; but, these sounded bigger. Then I saw it - a bear! A fairly good sized bear ran across the trail about 30 feet ahead of me. It then stopped and stood on its back legs and looked at me. Unfortunately, before I could get my phone out to take a picture, it dropped back down on all fours and loped off into the woods. Meanwhile, I heard what I assume to be another bear crashing away through the underbrush to my right. Not wanting to potentially end up between a mother and her cub, I kept moving; however, it was without a doubt the best bear sighting I've ever had. Throughout the day I also saw several more deer and a flock of wild turkeys.  Wanting to get as many miles under my belt as possible before the rain arrives in a couple of days, I decided to knock out 25.8 miles to Trent's Grocery. Trent's Grocery has a deli, a full range of resupply options, and also has a camping area next to the store - everything a thru hiker needs. I was looking forward to getting to Trent's for a cheeseburger, onion rings, and ice cream. And then, as if it wasn't already a great day, the coup de grace. I got a text from Courtney (aka Brie, aka Hoops). She was driving up from NC to meet up with me! The thing I have missed the most on this last section of the hike is the camaraderie of other thru hikers. In fact, I have been downright lonely. As I've mentioned before, I met Courtney climbing Blood Mt on the second day of my hike, crossed paths with her continually throughout the hike, and summited Katahdin the same day. So, she is one of my best thru hiker friends and the fact that she was willing to drive 4 hours to meet up with me on the trail really touched me. I reached Trent's around 6:00 PM and had my burger and onion rings. I then went to the camping area to set up my tent. It is a neat field behind the grocery with several derelict campers parked in rows. In the middle of the camper graveyard was a bathhouse and room for several tents. I set up my tent and was heading back to the store for my ice cream when Courtney arrived. She was out of the car and giving me a big hug in seconds flat. I had been excited when she texted she was coming to visit; but, it was nothing like the rush of emotions when she actually arrived. It was so good to see one of my thru hiker friends. Someone who had been through rain, snow, good times, bad times, fun times, and boring times on the trail with me. Someone who had been over sections of trail in the Whites that seemed almost impassable and someone who had played the "name the state capitals" game with me to pass the miles. She also brought food! I had a 12 inch Subway sub and Sprite to tide me over until I could walk back to the store for my pint of ice cream. Once her tent was set up, we went back for the ice cream and a bundle of firewood. We were joined in the camp by an uncle and nephew who are LASHing (Long Ass Section Hiking) the southern portion of the trail. The four of us had a pleasant evening around a campfire under the stars listening to coyotes howling in the distance and telling hiker tales. Tomorrow, Courtney is going to slackpack me so I can knock down another 25 mile section of trail. She will then camp with me tomorrow night before heading back to college Monday morning. Her visit was perfectly timed. I am so close to being done and, at the same time, so impatient to be done. Her visit has reminded me why I have so loved being out here.