Date: 2016-06-04
From: Dude Fest and beyond 

To: Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: mist

6/4I wrapped up the first two months on the trail today with a 20 mile hike out of Pearisburg, VA. I am typing this blog entry from a loft in the Pine Swamp Branch Shelter as the rain comes down.Since I have not posted in a few days I will give a quick update of the last three days.On June 2nd I hiked into Pearisburg from the Wapiti Shelter. Most of the morning I hiked alone. I had no intention in stopping in the Woods Hole Hostel (.5 miles off the trail), but when I hit the gravel road it started drizzling. I took a gamble and headed that way anticipating another major soaking.I made it to the hostel and the sky turned blue and the rain passed as I arrived. I immediately saw Feather and a few others. Pending, who I had not seen since trail days, was there on a "work for stay" arrangement. It was good seeing her. That's about all I can say about Woods Hole. I got a weird vibe from the place and ate my lunch and bolted back to the trail. Self righteous hippies are a turn off, nuff said.After getting on the trail I hiked to the first shelter where Gadget was filling up on water. I have not had much interaction with him, but he was at Dude Fest. We talked a minute and I was ready once again hike. I wish now we talked longer, as the play of the day would have been to chill at the shelter one hour and let the unforeseen wicked storm pass.I guess I should have ordered an extra helping of good karma back at Woods Hole, as I only went about a mile when the bottom dropped out! The problem was this storm came with some severe thunder and lightning that was very close to me. In fact it was so close I ditched my trekking poles and took cover in a rhodadundren tunnel. I did not want to move as bolts were hitting everywhere. I seriously thought I would die.The Lightning finally moved off and the rain slacked. I did not get my life lit up so I started walking. Gadget caught up with me and said several people poured into the shelter after I left. Gadget and I would walk the rest of the way into Pearisburg, eat dinner (with Alastair, Red and Crash), and share a room. I was very tired and showering in a motel room was nice (despite the motel having a "crackhead" feel to it). 6/3I was bound and determined to get my things done in town and get out. I knew the Dude Fest bubble was coming in and if I ended up at the bar in Barranca (Mexican Restaurant in town) I would have no chance. The bulk of the Dude Fest did go to Woods Hole for a dose of self righteousness and an organic dinner so I knew I had the morning before the piled into Pearisburg.So I headed over to Barranca with Alastair for a quick Michalada or three. With that out of the way I went to the post office and mailed the rest of my winter things home, bought a Sawyer Squeeze at the outfitter (the flow on my mini Squeeze was too slow and home it went), bought crazy glue at the hardware store for my fly rod and resupplied at Food Lion. Then I stopped in Barranca for one more beer. Mayfly was there and soon others. Four hours later we were still there and now joined by about 50 other hikers as a major hiker party erupted with the arrival of the Dude Fest bubble. I got to know Peace Foot (a triple crowner) better and Pilot Bob and I took over the jukebox and kept the Stones, Zepplin, Allmans and other good classic rock stay ahead of the crap some of the youngsters tried to sneak in. Of course I scrubbed my plan to get out of town and I officially declared the day a zero, but hey.... My legs needed a break. Because of our bubble was in town and the crackhead motel was sold out, I was lucky enough that Navigator, Chunks, Big Bird and Stripes made space in their room to crash. I don't like dirty motels so I was ready to hike early the next day.6/4Getting out of Pearisburg is easier said than done. The trail takes you over a big bridge over a river along a highway. As I crossed the bridge a SOBO (south bound hiker) approached. It was already 9:30 and he said "it's about time the NOBO hikers awake". He explained I was the first NOBO hiker he had seen that morning. I explained it had something to do with margaritas and coronas at Barranca.I hiked the rest of the day and made Pine Swamp Branch Shelter. The hike had its easy points and it's challenging points. The last half mile was in the pouring rain and Navigator and Big Bird were already at the shelter. Minutes later the Cannibas Kids piled in (I gave them this name because of their none stop pot smoking). Because there were four Cannibas Kids and their dog I gave then the larger bottom shelf of the shelter and took to the loft.