Date: 2017-05-25
From: US 52, Bland, Virginia (Zero Days Inn Hostel)

To: VA 606/Trent's Grocery 
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: clear sky

5/25US 52/Bland, Virginia  (Zero Data Inn Hostel) to VA 606/Trent's Grocery18.1 milesTotal miles:  608.5Today was a very special day for no specific reason.  It's just a day that leaves me feeling blessed and joyful as I write this tonight in the quiet solitude of my tent. I slept well at the hostel and was up by 6:00.  Inasias and I were the only ones requesting the 7:00 shuttle back to the trail, and Jeremy was happy to oblige. I had a great experience at Zero Days Inn Hostel, and Jeremy really went out of his way to make sure things went smoothly. A comfortable mattress and sheets also helped.  I also scored a lower bunk!  I had met Inasias before Trail Days, and it was fun to meet up with her again. Her trail name is an acronym for:  It's Not A Stick It's A Staff.  Her name is in honor of the hiking staff she carries. Inasias is quite talented and sang and played the guitar last night in the hostel's common area. She also writes poetry.  She hikes faster than I do, and I enjoyed watching her disappear into the distance as I hiked through Bland.  She would be the only other person I would see for hours. Hiking across I-77 was interesting. There was a tremendous view as the rain had ended and the sun was shining. The trail was a very narrow sliver of dirt squeezed between a fence (thoughtfully provided so you wouldn't fall off the bridge) and the guard rail.  After following the road a piece, the AT returned to the woods. The hike this morning was truly a walk in the woods.  The trail was, for the most part, good, although muddy in places from the recent rains. The sun was shining. I heard many birds twittering and some wild turkeys gobbling. I saw several squirrels. I stepped over a large pile of bear scat (but didn't see the bear).  I took the opportunity to call Becky and Sandy, and I also called both of my schools back home. It was good to get to chat a few minutes.  I met Gravity near the base of Brushy Mountain.  He had stopped at a stream for water, and I joined him to do the same. We hiked together for a bit. On the way up Brushy Mountain, we passed the 600 mile mark. I ate lunch at the top of Brushy Mountain at a pretty spot complete with a comfortable log to sit on.  Shortly after lunch, the rain resumed.  It also turned colder, but the rain, while steady, never stormed.  Close to the end of the day's hike, the trail crosses Kimberling Creek over this amazing suspension bridge.  Despite the rain, I got my phone out to photograph the bridge. Gravity took my picture on the bridge.  Upon reaching VA 606, Gravity and I walked the half mile to Trent's Grocery. As we walked down the road, I asked Gravity how he came by his trail name.  Among other things, he told me it stood for Specific Gravity, which, he told me, was a term used in brewing beer.  Gravity is an avid homebrewer, who has been brewing since the 1980s!  We had an animated discussion about homebrewing in general and our individual methods in specific.  We now have mutual standing invitations to each other's homes.  It was raining pretty hard when we got to Trent's Grocery. Samantha, the very sweet woman behind the counter, took our food orders, and then we picked up a few resupply needs.  I had a cheeseburger with everything, potato wedges, and cheese sticks.  I drank a Gatorade, a V-8 Juice, a chocolate milk, and chased it all down with a hot chocolate.  While we were eating, we had a wonderful conversation with two local teachers and their families. We discussed thru hiking, the floods back home, and the challenges of education today. One of the women is a retired math teacher and the other teaches chemistry.  It was a tremendous time. Gravity and I excused ourselves so we could get our tents up and everything squared away before dark. The cost for tenting, which includes a bath house with flush toilets, hot water showers, and washer and dryer:  $6.00. The tent area is flat and grassy, with horses in an adjacent field.    Kimberling Creek is roaring nearby, but stiil well within its banks (we hope!). While setting up, we struck up a conversation with Subway, a thru hiker from New York. He is a retired police officer who spent a good part of his career working with schools. He also helped implement an equine program for at-risk youth and for children with special needs.  Needless to say, we had a lot of common ground to discuss.  Everyone then headed for their tents. I plan on reaching Pearisburg by the day after tomorrow,  so I'm looking at a 17 or so mile day tomorrow.  I've been in touch with several friends and family members from back home today, plus I've met so many wonderful new people. I guess it's time to go to sleep and wait to see what tommorow will bring.