Date: 2015-11-17
From: Davis Path Campsite 

To: Atkins, Virginia 
Miles today: 3.3

I slept pretty good last night and got up early and took my tent down in record time.  I was motivated by breakfast at The Barn, not to mention water. I warmed up my hands in the fire Mover had made before I took off. It's nice to camp with hikers who love making fires. It was a short easy hike to Atkins. A nice little climb from the campsite warmed me up quickly, and I could see some views into the tiny town. I love being in the woods but also love the feeling of anticipation and excitement when I can see a town below me. It is also a good way to guage progress. I walked over a cattle stile which are big steps in an upside down "V" shape to take you over barbed wire to keep the cattle from getting out. I have climbed over many of these lately in this section of Virginia. The trail is usually a narrow grassy path through farmland with open views in all directions. There were two of the biggest black cows I have ever seen standing in the middle of the trail. They did not want to move and just stared at me. I stared right back admiring their beauty and size and realized I have never been this close to a cow before except at petting zoos and they never look this healthy and confident. All the cows had big yellow tags on their ears with numbers written in black. I finally said goodbye to them and walked by unscathed. The trail crossed an underpass at Interstate 81 with a sign directing vehicles to Roanoke in one direction and Bristol in the other. For some reason at this interstate sign the magnitude of this walk struck me as I realized the distance I have traveled by foot. I got nostalgic for all the little towns I have been through so far and will never see again. This trip is such a gift, and I can't think of a more intimate way to explore new places than by foot.The Barn Restaurant was easy to spot as the trail went right down the road. My resupply box was waiting for me along with about ten more for other hikers. This told me there are others behind me. I claimed a large corner booth next to an outlet to charge my dead phone and open my box. I have a new battery pack that should give me three full phone charges. My breakfast of eggs, toast, home fries and fried steak was so good and filled me up. I drank a day's worth of water and hot tea. The woman who I was hoping to stay with is sick, so Mover and I decided to split the cost of a room at The Relax Inn. I had been advised not to stay here because of a cleanliness factor, but it is conveniently located across the street from the trail and a hop, skip and jump from The Barn, two convenience stores and a Mexican restaurant attached to one of them. The price was right and the water was hot and the heater worked well. The sign outside advertised Color Cable TV. I imagine that sign has been here for many years. The whole town made me feel like I had gone back in time. Even when in town I usually don't watch TV and am out of the loop on most news. Mover turned on the TV today, and it was with great saddness that I heard about the terrorist bombings in Paris and the threats to the US.  My heart goes out to everyone affected by this violence.It is gloomy and cold outside with even colder weather and rain in the forecast. A good day to get caught up on my journal and phone calls.