Date: 2005-05-20
From: Half mile west of VA Route 624

To: VA Route 624; US Route 220 to VA Route 311
Miles today: 20.3

DAY 70I got very little sleep, if any, last night. It was as miserable a night as I have ever spent in the woods. At least it was clearing this morning as we left our tiny campsite. Our tents are wet and mud splattered. Much of our gear is wet. Fortunately it ended up being only a short walk of about 15 minutes to the road, VA Route 624. Perhaps we could have made it last night. Or perhaps not. Then what would we have done in the rain and the darkness? Rocky was right to stop where we did.At the road, we turned left (northward) toward the gas station/convenience store at the intersection of VA Routes 624 and 311. We wanted to find out if a local bed & breakfast was open. While we were walking along the road, a man with a car load of hikers stopped and gave us a ride to the store. His name was Scott Vaught (¢Briar Patch¢, GA>ME 2000). He lives with his girl friend, Mandy, about eight miles south on Route 624. He told us Mandy, his girl friend, would soon be coming by in a black Camry. He told us she could deliver us to the Trail at Daleville, Virginia, about 26 Trail miles north. We could then slack pack south from US Route 220 to VA Route 311. He, Scott, would pick us up there. We could then spend the night at their home tonight. This sounded good to us. At least we would have a dry place to sleep tonight and a chance to get cleaned up.Sure enough Mandy soon arrived. She delivered us to the Trail junction with US 220 near Daleville. She took our packs back to her home. Meanwhile we headed south with minimal food and gear. In the morning the views were great along Tinker Cliffs. As we headed south we encountered familiar faces: Sowega, Mouth, Red, Jake and Cola. Some of them were headed into Roanoke to see the latest ¢Star Wars¢ movie. This is the generation, like my sons, that grew up with Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Hans Solo. Thru hike or not, they were not going to miss this movie. We noticed that Mouth has recently changed his hair color from green to blue. The day got overcast as we continued to walk south on the Trail. When we got to McAfee Knob we were in a cloud. This is reputedly one of the best views on the Trail. So many hikers have their photos taken on the rock overhang. That is not for me on even the best of days as I have a fear of heights.. It was about 8 pm when we arrived at the trailhead at Route 311. Rocky¢s feet were hurting from walking all day with wet feet. Her shoes never did dry out from yesterday. Scott was at the trailhead waiting for us and took us to his beautiful home in the Virginia countryside.At Scott and Mandy¢s home we have our own bedroom with bunk beds. Our packs were here when we arrived earlier this evening. After we got cleaned up, we had dinner with Scott and Mandy and another young couple that they had invited. We had a great dinner of hamburgers, hot dogs, salad, ice cream and beer. What a contrast from last night¢s dinner of M&M¢s. This has been an unexpected day of Trail Magic. The Trail gives you what you need when you need it. And we did need it today. This day started out dismally, but ended up great.