Date: 2003-05-13
From: US Route 501 (Thomas Motor Inn)

To: Little Irish Creek Campsite
Miles today: 14.9

Day 61 Avg Mls/Day 12.9Weather: Fantastic hiking weather. Cool, high temp in low 60's, breezy, mostly sunny, low humidity (40%) Starting to see a lot of slamanders along the Trail.Today was a great all around experience. It started out a little tentative and things came together with terrific Trail to make it one of the more memorable days.Let's start with last night at the Thomas Motor Inn. About 3 in the morning I awoke to the sounds of the police banging on a door across the court yelling, "Sherrif's department open the door!" I look out the door and there are 3 cop cars and some guys going through a van (which I later noticed had the passenger window broken out). This went on for about an hour and then everyone left. Talking to the manager in the morning, it seems there was a woman in the end unit who saw someone messing around the cars and running into the woods. I guess in the room (they were banging on) were 3 foreigners (one barely spoke English who they wanted to talk to). Didn't hear how it all came out. When I started the hike I said it would be an incredible adventure...I meant the hike not the town visits!I got up about 6 and walked down to Hardee's for breakfast. On the way back stopped at a gasmart and bought $10 worth of snacks for the Trail. Next was a visit to the barber shop across from the motel since I hadn't had a haircut since I left home. Finished packing and walked down to the intersection to hitch 25 miles back to the Trail. Stopped at the Autozone and picked up some Heat for my stove. Then there was a Sheetz gasmart where I picked up a custom sub sandwich for supper and an orange for breakfast.Stood with my thumb out at the intersection...standing erect and smiling as the little old ladies floored the gas and sped on by. (No, I didn't give anyone the finger.) After an hour I decided to start walking with my backpack on and hitching at the same time. After a mile or so this guy pulls over in a Ryder van...says he is going most of the way. We get to talking and he turns out to be one nice guy. His name is James Woodruff and even though he is retired, he still has a business of moving pianos and other specialty items. In the 15 or 20 minutes we spent talking, we kind of hit it off...like I said, a hard working great guy who isn't afraid to give Trail Trash a lift. He drops me off at his sister's business, Woodruff's Store. They had hot food and great milk shakes so I ate lunch there. His Mother was there helping out and I joked with her about trying to straighten James out. BTW, the grilled chicken breast sandwich and milk shake were great! It is about 6 or 7 miles east of the Trail..I'd highly recommend it for a hot lunch if you can get a hitch. While I was waiting for my food I, of course, had to tell James' mom and sister about my hike. Seated at the table was a nice young woman with her 5 children, ages 3 months to about 6. I'm not just saying this, but they were the cutest most adorable kids I've seen in a long time...they could be in movies. And, they were so good...maybe cause they were all having hot dogs and ice cream. Well, Laura, the mom, said she would take me the rest of the way to the Trail if I was still there when they were ready to go. Now how nice was that! Thanks Laura and James for getting me back to the AT! BTW, all of you should have learned from this... it's your responsibility to pick up anyone within 50 miles of the AT who is hitching and wearing a backpack.It was 12:30 by the time I was back on the job of trudging the Appalachian Trail. The Trail up to Fullers Rocks, Little Rocky Row (2,472') was not bad...mostly switchbacks. Same on to Big Rocky Row (2,992') and Bluff Mtn. (3,372'). The views today were incredible. I just can't describe how wonderful I felt being up there alone and looking across rows of mountain ranges and the James River valley below. pictures cannot do it justice. I was loving it and will treasure the memory! Virginia in one fantastic state.Just a few feet from the peak of Bluff Mountain was a small monument to four year eleven month old Ottie Cline Powell. Ottie went into the woods to gather firewood for his schoolhouse and never returned. His body was found on this very spot April 5, 1891, five months after he disappeared. He had strayed 7 miles. I made it 10.5 miles to the Punchbowl Shelter about 4:30. Since I got such a late start, I ate my sub sandwich and took off to hike on to a tenting spot about 2 hours away. Just as I was leaving Zap Man and Sparky walked in and planned to stop for the night. They were the only hikers I came across all afternoon.The day ended on a perfect note when I got to Little Irish Creek. Standing there next to his pick up truck was Trail Magician, Renegade. First thing he says, "Would you like a cold drink?" Damn right I would! He has 5 or so coolers full of food and beverages. He offers me a sandwich but I told him I'd already eaten. However, I did guzzle down a couple of ice cold cokes. We chat for awhile and he tells me he is going to fix me breakfast in the morning...sausages, pancakes, eggs, coffee. Sounds great! I ask if I can make a donation and he says he would use it to buy more food. After setting up my tent, I return for more campfire chat and slip him a nice cash donation. He's a disabled veteran who recently survived some "life-threatening" surgery. A real interesting guy who has hiked and loves helping hikers with Trail Magic. Thanks Renegade! Well, it's after 10 and I'm gonna get some sleep. I need to do over 20 miles tomorrow while the weather is good...we'll see.Thought for the Day: Virginia is a beautiful state with beautiful people!