Date: 2008-04-12
From: Hoiday Motor Lodge (Pearisburg)

To: Bailey's Gap shelter
Miles today: 22.9
Weather: scattered clouds

I got up at 600am and took a quick shower. Got my stuff packed up and checked out of the hotel at 830am. On the way out I stopped at Hardee's for breakfast and I was on the trail by 930am. It was a bit of a climb out of Pearisburg and my heels weren't 100%, heck they weren't even 50% but I keep pushing. I didn't stop at the first shelter. It was quite a bit away and I didn't feel like walking it. I stopped along the trail and had lunch. It was 14 miles to the next shelter and I knew it would be awhile until I get there. I made a series of pit stops along the way eating every time. I met a few section hike going southbound It was nice to see other people on the trail. I got to Pine Swamp shelter and to my surprise it was being renovated. There wasn't a roof but there was brick wall still standing. I could have tented, I should have tent but I didn't. That was a mistake I would later regret. I continue to hike the next shelter was only 4 miles up the trail. About half mile after I left the shelter I see a sign posted on a tree that says "The Stony Creek Bridge, about two miles ahead, washed out in Hurricane Jeanne in the fall of 2004. If you wish to avoid fording the creek go out to the road and turn left. Follow the road to the trail crossing about 1.5 miles from here. You will pass a forest service picnic area on the left had side of the road about 0.3 miles before the trail crossing. The Cherokee Flats parking area on the left is just past the trail crossing." It was a little confusing on the first read so I took a picture so if I need to read it again up the road I could. So yes I decided not to ford the creek it was getting late and I didn't feel like taking off my shoes. I realize it seems so much long walking 1.5 miles on the road than it does walking it on the trail. Not sure why that is. Well I made it back on the trail and it felt good to get off that hard pavement. On the climb up the Mtn I saw some "Trail Magic". Some one left cans of Miller Light by some trees along the trail. If I wasn't such a beer snob I would have grabbed one. About a mile away from the shelter the climb got steeper and I felt a stabbing pain in my heel that nearly brought me to my knees. This was a pain that couldn't be ignored. I took off my shoe to see what was going on but I put on one of those blister patches, the kind you can't take off for seven day without tearing off the skin. So I left it alone and hobbled up the Mtn to the shelter. When I got there I notice no one was there, and it was almost 800pm, and I don't anyone else was coming. So it was just me myself and I. First thing, I took off my shoes and put on my crocs. Then I made a fire, because it was getting cold and cooked up some dinner. I had cheddar broccoli rice, not my favorite and mint tea with honey to warm me up. When I put on my jacket I realize I got sunburn on my arms and legs today. It¢s just another bad thing that happened on this terrible day. Hopefully tomorrow will be better. It is suppose to get down in the 30's tonight, great sunburnt and freezing in the same day. Strange weather I'm having.