Date: 2004-06-22
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: McAfee Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: broken clouds

Me on McAfee KnobStart: Pickle Branch Shelter @ 0848Finish: McAfee Knob Shelter @ 1940Miles: 15.4Weather: Hot & SunnyBreakfast: Chocolate Poptarts, Maple & Brown Sugar OatsLunch: Trailmix, Honey Roasted Peanuts, Bagel w/PBDinner: Ham & Cheese Sandwich, 2 pkgs Cheddar/Sour Cream Ruffles, Oreos, Carrots, Bagel w/ PBTrail Conditions: Rocky! Several steep climbsAnimals: Dogs, Birds, Butterfly, Box TurtlePeople: Venture Crew, Jacob, Dayhikers, Debbie, Judy, Roamer, Women on the Verge, Nick, PhilI am lying on McAfee Knob bivied for the night. From the end of my feet only 5 feet of rock separate me from an amazing expanse of a ruffled landscape. It is so beautiful. A gusty breeze whooshes over the crest of the mountain occasionally, rustling my bivy and bringing the woods to life with a patter of leaves. In the distance the lights of Roanoke flicker outlining the valley. Clouds drift by in the sky occluding the bright sliver of a new moon. A soft fog is rising from the valley smudging the crisp ridgelines in a transparent haze. This is such a tranquil setting. I am reminded of how lucky I am to be on the excursion. Bivy on McAfee KnobAll in all today was just a truly incredible day. The bugs were ferocious last night and we all acted as a buffet for the insects. I had a nightmare last night that I was being attacked by a dog. As it charged me I kicked it. As I kicked at it in my dream I actually did a huge kick to the shelter floor waking everyone, including myself, up. It was really bizarre. Jacob and I chatted more with the Venture Crew and then pushed on.The climb up to Dragon¢s Tooth was quite steep and very rocky. It was worth the effort, however, as it was a real very cool rock formation and there were excellent views. The climb down was a total rock scamper. It was a lot of fun, but the trail was very dicey and there were numerous opportunities to seriously hurt yourself. Definitely the hardest mountain I¢ve done so far in this State.I hit the road crossing leading to Four Pines Hostel. I parked it for a few minutes and snacked on some trailmix. I contemplated going to the hostel and then the grocery store, but passed on both. I went another mile and spent a good forty minutes sitting and eating lunch. About five minutes after I started moving again Jacob caught up with me. He had gone to the grocery store and advised that good-looking women were there! A commodity in short supply on the trail. Anywho, we pressed on to VA 34.As I arrived at the trailhead parking area I noticed a gray cloth hanging on a trail sign (it was my pack cover). Upon closer inspection I discovered it was mine! I had lost it yesterday but someone found it, got ahead, and hung it there. Just amazing. Thanks to whoever did that! In the parking lot I got to talking to a lady named Debbie, who does contracting work for Veterans Affairs establishing a nationwide databasing system for VA patients. We shot the breeze for a good 45 minutes and during this time she gave me four Aquafinas to drink. Awesome! As we chatted a lady named Judy rolled up wondering if it was the trailhead. We advised it was, then she offered me a ride! I wrapped things up with Debbie but not before she could give me cereal with freeze dried strawberries and a peach smoothie. Deb, thank you so so much! Judy kindly offered me a ride back to her house in Salem where I could do laundry, shower, and she¢d cook a dinner. I reluctantly passed on the offer as I wanted to get to McAfee. Instead she drove me to Catawba and back.I hit up a small convenience store in town. I went to their Deli section to have a sandwich made. I am not sure I have ever been treated so rudely. The lady prepping my food had all the personality of Miss Crabtree from South Park. She literally yelled at me, for making her repeat the question ¢Do you want lettuce?¢ Judy and I left and I got dropped off back at the trail head.I headed to the Boy Scout shelter and devoured the sandwich and enjoyed two bags of Ruffles. I shot the breeze with Roamer, who started a 10-day trip out off Hot Springs, and had ended up turning into a month taking him here. Tomorrow he leaves the trail. I then walked a mile to the next shelter. While there four ladies, out for a several day hike, calling themselves ¢Women on the Verge¢ stopped by. They were finishing their trip early and had extra food. I gave them several Pringles¢¦.they donated all their food to me! Incredibly generous! I got squared away with Oreos, carrots, bagels, pistachios, almonds, raisins, two freeze dried dinners with turkey meat, and hot cocoa. Women on the Verge you rock!!! Thank you so very much! I packed up my new goodies and went to filter water at the water source. While there another day hiker found two beers. Outrageously cool. With all my new goodies I pressed on to my final destination of McAfee Knob. Catawba ValleyI rolled in as the sun was setting. It was gorgeous. I snapped dozens of pictures. Nick and Phil were chilling up there and took several shots of me. Today has been a tremendous day and a real morale booster. The weather was great, I met great people, and got some serious magic. All this reminded me that this trip is fun, something I had forgotten over the past several weeks with all the rain and petty hiker drama on the trail. Tomorrow I head to Daleville, but first I am going to enjoy some good sleep on the cliff top.One Year Reflection