Date: 2012-05-09
From: Stoney Creek

To: Clenndening Road - Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: moderate rain

SOS decided to start out early today and we were on the way to the start spot by 7:15. It was a 49 minute drive so he got started shortly after 8am. Then I started the long drive back. To entertain myself, I decided to make a rating system for the roads I drive on¢¦(do you get the feeling that I have lots of time on my hands¢¦?) So here it is: There are 6 types of road near the AT¢¦rated 6 down to 1. A 6 is an interstate road (Not many near the AT), a 5 is a four lane highway (which is becoming my favorite because the speedsters out here can pass me anytime they like), a 4 is a two lane paved road with center lines (not my favorite because virtually every one of them that I drive has a double yellow ¢¦with no passing, the speedsters get impatient and I end up pulling off so they can pass) a 3 is a sort of two lane but with no lines anywhere (not good for night driving and always winding and twisting), a 2 is a dirt/gravel that is maintained by the state (usually in fairly good shape but always narrow) and a 1 is a forest service road with ruts and potholes everywhere (not maintained by anyone that I can tell.) I am going to try to NEVER drive on a 1 again! I stopped in Pearisburg at the Walmart to pick up a few items including a bottle of milk so I could eat some cereal sitting in my car in the parking lot. It tasted so good after the delicious but way too big breakfasts that are served at Woods Hole! Back to my room which was occupied with a massage so I killed time in the other room.A new feature today: The best road name of the day! Today¢s hands down winner is: BUFFALO ANKLETS ROAD (It is off of Hwy 635 outside of Pearisburg, VA) Wow¢¦how is that for a name? I couldn¢t help but visualize a big shaggy haired buffalo with dainty little white, with turned down cuffs and lace on the edges, anklets on his/her feet¢¦can¢t you just see it? I would love to know how the road got that name. Stay tuned for tomorrow¢s road name of the day! There were massages all day long so I couldn't get in my room so I hung out in the living room talking to other hikers who had decided to take another zero because it was raining and raining and raining. SOS called to say that he would be later than he thought because of slippery hiking conditions. When I got to the pick up spot early as usual ( I don't want SOS to ever have to sit and wait on me so I always start way early), I settled in to read. After a little bit, here came 3 of the kids. Of course, they were hungry so I gave them food and drink. They were going the opposite way of SOS so would pass him at some point. They said they would tell him I was there. It had quit raining so I decided one more time to hike out to meet SOS since I was sure of the way this time. WRONG AGAIN!! I was going the right direction but didn't know what the sign meant (a big log across the path which I just stepped over and wondered why the trail keepers had left it there!) and went straight instead of turning at one point. I was just beginning to wonder why I wasn't seeing any white blazes when I heard noise in the woods. When I looked over through the trees, there was SOS hiking on a parallel trail. He was very surprised when I yelled over to him. So we got back together and hiked on down to the car. A disaster diverted! We knew we would be too late for dinner at Woods Hole so we decided to eat in town. There is a wonderful restaurant in an old bank...called THE BANK! It is upscale dining (not DQ, guys) but welcomed SOS with his mud splattered pants, wet head and Crocs. Shanti (a through hiker friend that we met back in Erwin, TN) and her friend Storm were there also. We talked with them and had a great relaxed meal. A funny part of the conversation was when Shanti told me she had been to the library and I said I had also. She said "What did you rate it?" (she knows about my rating libraries). I said I gave it a 6 and she was shocked and said...aww, why did it get a 6? I explained my reasoning mostly because no one spoke to me...just looked at me and went back to talking to each other. Shanti said..."well, I guess I look needier than you because they asked me if they could help me!" Back at Woods Hole, our room was finally unoccupied by anyone else so we planned for tomorrow and got some rest. Also SOS and I shared a one quart strawberry/banana milkshake...yummy!!