Date: 2006-04-26
From: Chatfield Shelter

To: Relax Inn - Outskirts of Atkins, VA
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: light rain

NOTE:Revised Itinerary yesterday and hiked past Partnership Shelter and arrived at Chatfield Shelter before 5:30 PM. Walked almost 18 miles yesterday (despite the weather). The reason for the change was I didn't have to dodge the bad t-storms that were forming behind me.   However, I did have rain and although I didn't run, I walked at a very brisk pace to ensure arrival before the skies opened up. On my trek to Chatfield Shelter, I hiked thru Sugar Grove, VA, up Brushy and Locust Mountains and on to Glade Mtn (3,900') which was the stop before home for the night.Chatfield holds 6 people, is located at (3,150') in Smyth County, VA and is maintained by Piedmont Appalachian Trail Hikers. Water is available from a stream in front of the shelter.I heard thru the grapevine that there was a big "beer bash" at Partnership Shelter last night. The shelter was full and they had a hearty party! Now I know it's a good thing I hiked on to Chatfield Shelter 'cause I would have beena "party pooper". There are no coincidences...This morning I walked in rain for the 4.5 miles from Chatfield out to Lee Highway, VA 683, US 11, I-81 (2,420') with Amy and Ellie, section hikers. I got a room at the Relax Inn which is right on the road near the AT on the outskirts of Atkins where they had their car parked. They gave me a ride in to Atkins so I could resupply and we said our goodbyes.A Good Samaritan overheard me asking whether it was ok by law to hitchhike and offered me a ride back to the Relax Inn. Again, I am grateful to another stranger who extended the hand of frienship.I had the "2 x 4 breakfast" at the Barn Restaurant:2 pancakes, 2 sausages, 2 strips of bacon, 2 eggs, homefries and coffee for$6 plus tx and tip - "thank you very much"! Tastes pretty damn good after several days of poptarts or cereal. I'm getting pretty lean.Mountain Goat also had the 2 x 4 which he finished and then proceeded to eat a hamburger. I had my hamburger and fries for lunch at 3:00 and it was very tasty.I did laundry and sorted through my supplies getting ready for the repacking and carrying of extra weight again. This was the best food management of my trip so far because I arrived in Atkins with only 1 package of Ramen seasoning and 1 Snickers bar. My on-trail diet consists of Poptarts, Ramen, peanut butter, cheddar cheese, beef jerky, Lipton dinners, mac and cheese, Snickers, Harvest bars, protein bars, tuna fish and trailmix. My luxury item is toilet paper - I know that's more information than you need!I tried substituting rice and beans in my diet, but they take 30 mins. to cook so I tried to hydrate them in a bag for 45 mins. without success. So much for that science experiment and goodbye to those foods!I called Bonnie from a truck stop where 2 dogs were romping around - a golden mix and a black lab. I almost got run over by a woman who had her choice of 3 parking spaces, but she wanted the one I was standing in!Grey Eagle will probably be here tonight and Headin' Out and Taggin' Along are behind me.Familiar faces in Atkins: Bullwinkle and Rocky from Portland, METomorrow it's back on the trail. And, as I continue this land/life journey, a BIG thank you to those who maintain the AT so that I, and many others, may enjoy its awesome beauty. It is a labor of love...