Date: 2009-02-21
From: Crawfish Valley (2700')

To: Chestnut Ridge (3500') Entry One
Miles today: 14.0

Saturday, February 21, 2009Entry One: Crawfish Valley (2700¢) to Chestnut Ridge (3500¢)Fourteen MilesBefore I left Gainesville, Georgia for this section (my home), I ran into someone and we were having small talk. I told him that I was getting ready for vacation. People that do not do what I enjoy to do envision a cruise, the beach, maybe some snow skiing in Colorado. It is so entertaining to see the look on someone¢s face when you tell them, ¢No, actually I am going to hike 100 miles in Virginia.¢¢Did you say hike¢like sleep in the woods ¢hike?¢¢Oh, yes, I can hardly wait.¢¢What type of weather are you expecting?¢¢Well, the Weather Channel can give me a general idea, but I just assume to prepare for the worst- that way there are no surprises.¢One may just look at me as though my head needs to be majorly examined.Last night was another great night of sleep. At home, I probably average around six to maybe seven hours of sleep per night. The last two nights, I have slept almost twelve hours each night. Last night did not seem to be as cold as night #1. I slept about 800 feet lower last night than I did on night #1 of this trip. I get camp packed up and set out a little before 8:30 a.m. I am a little bit concerned that I am about ¢one hiking day¢ behind my schedule. I have taken a couple of extra days off from work to supplement a situation such as this.I have never hiked 110 miles in one stretch before-so this is all new to me. On fifty mile sections-if I burn out, I can usually muster it because I will be out before I feel the residual impact of my foolishness.I have never ever dreamed of carrying this much weight. It is almost embarrassing. Before I left, I thought that I had everything down to a science. Well, hiking is so humbling, because my ¢house¢ as AWOL or Bob Peoples would put it is still around 60 lb. after eating two days worth of food.However, up to this point, I have slept comfortably and been able to address the extremely cold winds and temps that would be expected this time of year.Back to my first thought of the day: I am about one day behind. I am going to push for another nineteen or twenty miles today and just take it as it comes. That means that I will probably hike until right at or after dark. I love to night hike!! Then sleep in!! My first climb of the day was up Tilson Gap. Before I made it to the summit, I was one layer less of clothing. I was getting hot fast and could tell that this day was ¢trending¢ toward a much warmer day than yesterday.Today the strong winds were absent that pounded on me all day yesterday.The views from atop Tilson Gap were incredible. I was looking on towards Burkes Garden and Chestnut Ridge (to my north). As well as the state of West Virginia. I was gazing back at the Mount Rogers Wilderness area to my south.   I called Stephanie while I had cell service. The call was quick. I just wanted to let her know where I was and that all was good.The trail towards Bland,Virginia appeared to comprise of a high elevation spine of mountains that swept from east to west at around 4000 feet. I am excited and curious as to this next section of the trail. As I descended Tilson Gap, I ran into a Trail Maintainer from the Piedmont Appalachian Trail Hikers Club, based out of Greensboro, NC. (I hiked with a guy back a couple of years ago in the Smokies that I believe was a member). At any rate, although most of the members are from N.C., this gentleman was actually from the area. He told me that it was 28F at his car when he parked a few minutes ago. He (the trail maintainer) was the first person that I have seen on the trail in two days. We talked for a few minutes and he seemed very passionate about what he did. I thanked him for his service to the trail and he told me where to get some fruit!!Behind the bumper of his car!! I hiked through a stretch where you had to stay on the trail because of the ¢right of way¢ and the necessity to stay off of private property. It was yet again, beautiful farm country. Breathtaking views in each and every direction.When I got to his car, I had a banana and left him a thank you message on a business card from the Rendezvous Motel. What a great snack!! What a great morning!!