Date: 2017-04-08
From: Woods Hole Hostel

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

After breakfast at the hostel, we all helped clean up and repacked our packs to once again hit the trail. It was a much later start to the day then normal, but it was a short mileage day with easy terrain ahead. The weather was warming up and it promised to be a magnificent day. So, less difficult then yesterday. The day's walk started with the half mile walk up the gravel road to the trail head. Neville did make a comment that the hostel was called Woods HOLE for a reason. Haha. The trail was still a bit snowy, but the sun was out and things were quickly melting. I played leap frog with Nepal for most of the day. Today was a day for brilliant views. I had a short climb and then walked along a cliff with views to the right almost all day. I took many mini-breaks to enjoy the views and all the birds flying around. I even saw a deer today. Lunch came much earlier today with the late start. I found a nice spot in the woods and Nepal came by and joined me. It was nice to hear about her many adventures including time spent in Scotland, Israel and New Zealand over the past year. During the day, I saw quite a few hawks flying just off the edge of the cliffs. The monocular came in handy watching them soar. I thought about sending the monocular home to save a bit of pack weight, but I enjoy it too much. Definitely a luxury item, but it brings me great enjoyment. I have it in easy reach and whip it out often.I came across a couple locals out enjoying the weather at an outcropping of rocks with a great view. I took another break and enjoyed their company and the view. We saw a large amount of smoke out in the distance and they kept trying to count the mountains to figure out where it was coming from. They never did come to a consensus on that, but they thought it was probably a bush fire. I hope whatever it was that it's contained. It was great meeting them. I came to a blue blazed trail to Angels Rest, a couple large boulders over looking Pearisburg. I met a couple of college kids with their dog and they took a picture of me. I talked with them for awhile and then started the long descent into Pearisburg. It is long and it just kept going down. I kept thinking I'm glad I'm going North and down this mountain instead of up. Then I started wondering what the climb out of Pearisburg is going to be like. I met a section hiker named Base Jumper who was climbing up. He was in no hurry to go up, so another conversation was enjoyed. He told me he got his name when a friend was taking his picture at a ledge, he decided to take a step back and fell off the ledge. What?!?! Luckily for him the drop was only 7 feet or so into a bush with stickers. He was cut up, but okay. His friend looked over the edge to see if he was okay and then named him Base Jumper. I finally came to the road to take me into Pearisburg which meant another road walk, 0.9 miles this time, into town. Just as I started walking a truck drives by and offers me a ride. Woohoo!! I hopped in and between us is a magnificent bear skin that he cured. I couldn't stop touching the thing. It was a short, but incredible ride as he talked about the process of curing the hide. Very nice guy and thanks for the ride!I went to the Hostel and as I walked up they asked if I was there for the beer fest. Hmmmmmm.... I said nope, just to get my mail-drop. Beer fest did not sound like a peaceful time to me although it has great appeal for many hikers. I am staying at a little hotel instead. It works better as well, as my sister, Lynn, is coming for a visit tomorrow. I'm right across from a Food Lion and decided to get dinner from there instead of going to a restaurant. I purchased chicken strips, chips, and salad for dinner and some fruits and cheese for breakfast tomorrow. I don't have the great hiker appetite yet and it worked out fine. I cleaned up, talked to Mark and vegged for the rest of the evening. Somehow my backpack has exploded across the entire room, but I will figure that out tomorrow.