Date: 2013-04-25
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Dalesville, VA
Miles today: 92.7
Weather: scattered clouds

723.5 Miles Dalesville, VA. Mot and I made it into Dalesville about 4:30 this afternoon. I was really excited because I was going to see my wife Gloria for the first time in almost 2 months. It was really great to see her again and I'm going to enjoy our time together for the next few days. I wish she was hiking the trail with me. After getting cleaned up and eating, the main order of business was to get a new pair of boots. We went to the outfitters and when he measured my foot it was a half a size larger than what it normally is. So I bought a pair of Vasque Breeze Gortex boots in that size. I replaced the insoles with Super Feet brand insoles. They are a better quality insole and will support me better.While we were at the outfitters, Carjacker, Ponch, and Gummy Bear were there. they came into town about the same time today. We gave them a ride back to there motel. All of us, plus Mot, have been ending up together at the last 4 or 5 shelters every night.Mot is a great guy from South Carolina. We've been hiking together for about the last 7 or 8 days. He is a true southern gentleman and I really enjoy his company. His conversations are always interesting and help pass the time while walking. The majority of my hike I usually have been walking alone because I was either faster or slower than others. Although I feel that Mot could easily leave me behind, he assures me that I'm not holding him back. I'm glad for that because I really enjoy his company.Virginia has been what I had expected, to a certain extent. Climb a large mountain, then walk the ridge line for a long way. It's what is on the ridges that I didn't expect. Rocks, big rocks, little rocks, and all sizes in between. The hardest are the smaller rocks that jut straight up out of the ground. I told Mot that I'm going to change my trail name to Dances With Rocks because you have to watch every step and make sure you have good footing. But along with the small rocks there are a lot of large outcroppings, or basically cliffs, where you can walk out on and get spectacular views. One of the most famous is McAfee Knob. Everyone gets their picture there. But I think I got an added bonus there. Mot and I were pushing it hard to get there, because it was supposed to rain in the late afternoon and we wanted to get our pictures and quickly move on to the next shelter about a mile after the knob. About a half a mile from McAfee Knob the skies opened up. We quickly stopped and put on our rain gear and covered our packs. About a quarter of a mile from the knob the rain stopped and the sun came out. When I started up the approach trail, I saw the rainbow. I quickly dug out my camera and started taking pictures. Mot and I tried to get as many pictures of each other on the knob while the rainbow was there. I think we got some great shots.Another fantastic rock formation is called Tinkers Cliffs. It's a long row of rock outcroppings with more fantastic views. I wish everyone could see how beautiful these sights are. Sometimes Mot and I stand for long periods of time staring in total awe of the incredible views.My plans are to take a zero day tomorrow (Friday 4/26) then on Saturday, Gloria will drive Mot and I about 15 miles North on the trail and we will slackpack South back here to Dalesville. Then Sunday morning Gloria will take us back 15 miles North on the trail and we'll start heading North again with full packs.Got a text from Hoosier today (also on TJ) He said that he, Rash,(on TJ) Dovetail, and Z were about 15 miles behind and will be coming into Dalesville sometime Friday. So maybe they will slackpack with us. How many hikers can you get into a Honda Civic? We may find out.I really liked all the great trail names that the students in Mrs. Yahner's class gave themselves. They all were very unique and said something about themselves. I'm looking forward to meeting all of you and talking about my hike and answering all your questions then. I'm sure you'll enjoy seeing all my gear. I'm carrying my house and everything in it on my back. My tent is my house. My air mattress and sleeping bag is my bedroom. And my stove and my food bag is my kitchen.I'll update some more in the next couple of days.Happy TrailsPunkin PieSomewhere on the AT