Date: 2012-04-28
From: Hwy 421

To: US 58 at Feather Camp Branch
Miles today: 20.6

It was back to the trail today for SOS. We drove to his start point at HWY 421 about 15 miles south of Damascus and off he went. It was back to driving on the winding, twisting narrow roads for me for the first 5 miles. In that time, traffic was heavy...I passed 4 cars, 3 motorcycles, 2 trucks and 1 squirrel (in middle of the road) all going the other way...usually I don't have any traffic to worry about:-)I made it back the 22 miles to my room and took a nap. After getting up, I went out to explore the town (okay, I went straight to the knit shop!) Then I stopped at the theater box office and bought tickets for tonight's performance of 9 to 5. Next stop was the library...a 6 on my rating system:-) After reading there for about an hour, I went back to the room and knitted until time to pick up SOS. It was a long day for him. I drove him back to the hotel where we both dressed up a bit and went to the Barter Cafe to eat dinner and then to the play. It was very funny and very well done. The theater has great history which was fun to read.SOS here.Finally back on the trail. I missed not hiking with Runner. I do not know where he is at the moment. He has his own journal but has not updated it since last Monday when he hiked in the snow. I did not hike with him last Monday. I spent the day driving to Blue Ridge, Georgia.The positive about being off the trail for 5 days is that you meet a new group of hikers. The negative about being off the trail for 5 days is that you meet a new group of hikers. It is difficult to accept that your hiker friends are probably at least 65 miles in front of you. I may never catchup.The morning started out in the 50's and stayed that way until aroung noon. It was just about noon before I saw the sun on the trail for the first time in over a week. It was great to fill the warmtn of the sun on the trail; it changes the attitude.At McQueen's Knob there was a disused shelter that was constructed like a log cabin. It was open on the fourth side like shelters being built to day. It was much smaller amd did not look like it would be a great place to sleep. It was right after that shelter that I met a gentleman at McQueen Gap USFS 69 road. He was going to go morel mushroom hunting on the portion of the trail I had just hiked. He gave me some trail magic: root beer, Hostess chocolate cream filled cupcake and some of his rock candy his daughter had made.I only passed one useable shelter today, Abingdon Gap Shelter, in the 20.6 miles I hiked today. I did reach a milestone today at 1:03 PM; I made it to Virginia. I called all my hiking buddies and let them know the good news that I had made it to VA.As I entered into Damascas, there was a group of people playing wiffle ball. Two different people said I could join the game. I said no since I needed to hike 5 more miles to reach my pickup spot I had to pass on the game. Hikers are friendly.I ate at Quincy's in Damascus, VA (hamburger with Cheese and order of fries) for the last time. As soon as I finished, I headed back on the trail.I was nearly 45 minutes late for my pickup because I did not take into account the 1,000 foot change in elevation, tired legs from being off and mileage was more than I thought. Trail Mama is incredible. She was there and smiling. I can not believe how blessed I am to be married to such a wonderful lady. TM is always there for me. Thanks TM!