Date: 2007-04-28
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter, VA

To: Johns Hollow Shelter, VA
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: broken clouds

I counted out the days this evening, and I can't quite make it to Duncannon by Trail Days, so I'm not going to kill myself trying to make it. It would be nice to be that far along, but it's just not realistic. I'm probably also going to adjust my speed a little bit to hike with Dice a little longer. We get along well, and he wants to get done with Virginia ASAP, but he's also going to take it easier for the next couple days. Thinking about it, it probably makes sense for me, too. There's a place just ahead that has a great deal, plus free lunch for all hikers. I could be there in two days, but they'd be rough, and if I do two days and a zero, I'll get a free lunch.As for today, the hiking was easy. It started out with a short climb up Apple Orchard Mountain, then ran along a ridge for a while, before dropping steeply down to the James River. After crossing the river, I had to go to a (somewhat) nearby campground to pick up a box of food. I walked about a mile before a couple in a pickup truck pulled over for me and let me jump in the back. At first, they took me to the wrong campground, about three miles in the right direction, then one in the wrong. I asked what the best way to get back was, but they offered to drive back to the other campground.After getting the box, I wasn't so lucky. It only took me about 20 minutes to pack it all into my bag, but by then it was threatening rain, and nobody would stop. One guy, in a truck with some kayaks on top, went by and pointed behind him, at another truck who was tailgating him. He would have stopped otherwise, I think. However, a couple minutes later, I saw a truck coming at me, with kayaks on top. He pulled up, rolled down his window and said, "I'm gonna turn around." He'd turned around just to come back and get me!When he pulled up again, he told me to get in quick, because there was a truck barrelling down the hill about 1/2 a mile back. I threw my poles in the cab, tossed my pack in, and hauled myself up, rolling the pack onto my lap. The guy was out trying to do some kayaking, but he needed a shuttle, and knew how hard it was for hikers to get rides, so he'd come back to "help out a fellow hippie hiker/boater."From the road, it was an easy two miles up to the shelter, where Dice, Hike, and Cat (Caterpillar) were waiting for me, as well as Heinz, a German man who now lives in Nova Scotia. It was good to see them again, and I offered them some of my extra food. Between hiking faster, carrying over some food from my last drop, and going to the hostel in a couple of days, I still have way more food than I need. I traded Hike and Cat one of my extra dinners for some potatoes and a Lipton packet, both of which made good side courses. Only two weeks left in Virginia!The BrainFAA Dome on Apple Orchard Mt - Click picture to see full sizeThe Guillotine-1-Dice - Click picture to see full sizeThe Guillotine-2-Dice - Click picture to see full sizeThe James River - Click picture to see full sizeCrossing the James-1 - Click picture to see full sizeCrossing the James-2 - Click picture to see full sizeCrossing the James-3 - Click picture to see full size