Date: 2018-05-01
From: Sugar Gap

To: Cross Ave - Pearisburg
Miles today: 10.6

Woods Hole is one of the oldest hostels on the Appalachian Trail. The 1880¢s chestnut log cabin and a bunkhouse were opened by Tillie and Roy Woods in 1986. Granddaughter, Neville, and her husband, Michael, continue the legacy today. There is an emphasis on sustainable living at Woods Hole. The communal meals are prepared with organic and local ingredients. For breakfast Neville served a delicious Apple Glazed French Toast Bake and home baked bread with apple butter. For dinner we were treated to a delicious vegetarian Indian spread. Dessert was homemade ice cream, but this time it was served with cookie crumble. Before each meal, Neville has everyone join hands and we go around the circle, each person saying their name and something for which they are thankful. The meals were the bookends on a wonderful day; however, there was some hiking to do. We had originally planned to take a zero day at Woods Hole, but we had an invitation from a friend who lives nearby to come and stay at her place. Since she is not picking us up until tomorrow, we decided that it would be best to get a few miles in today. Besides, we wanted to make sure everything on our bodies still worked after our punishing hike into Woods Hole. So, after catching a lift back to the trailhead, we hiked into Pearisburg. Butter Knife joined us on what seemed more like a day hike. Since we would be returning to Woods Hole after the hike, we did not need much food or other provisions, so we left things like the tent and cooking gear behind. Now I know what it feels like to be an ultralight hiker. I could get used to this!The hike started with a gentle ascent. Leg muscles working, check. knees functioning, check...feet holding up, check! Back in action. Unlike yesterday, the trail surface was mostly soft and rock-free and the hiking was easy-peasy. Oh, and it was another gorgeous, sunny day, with signs of Spring all around. Little yellow, white, purple and lavender wildflowers were scattered along the hike. I also noticed that some of the Mayapples were budding on the stems. The highlights of the hike came after we crested Pearis Mountain. First came Pearis Ledges, a series of open cliffs offering views of Pearisburg. Just a little further down the trail was Angel¢s Rest, a rock outcropping that also offered excellent views of Pearisburg and Narrows. From both vantage points we could see two different smoke plumes and some haze in the distance. The smoke just below us may have been controlled burns. However, there is a fire alert for a section of the trail a few days walk north of us. About 20 miles of the trail is currently closed due to wildfires. I am thankful for the firefighters who are dealing with the blaze and hope they can get it under control soon.The last two miles of the hike were downhill. Unlike yesterday, there were switchbacks over soft ground. Hallelujah! At the bottom of the mountain the trail intersected with Cross Avenue. It was there that we arranged a ride back to Woods Hole from an older gentleman named Tom. The return trip took us right by a Dairy Queen, where Tom ¢graciously¢ agreed to let us ¢fly through¢ for a bulk order. We treated him to a Blizzard for his troubles.After we returned to Woods Hole, Which Way and I showered up and took turns of getting a massage (me) and reflexology (Which Way) from Neville. Just what the muscles needed! A word on Neville, she is small in size, but full of energy and very passionate about offering hikers a great experience at Woods Hole. In the three hours from our return from our hike today, not only was she giving massages, she could also be seen pulling fresh greens from the garden, whipping up dinner, and welcoming arriving hikers. Heartburn showed up earlier in the day and told us that she was carrying large bags of mulch and spreading it as well. She is like the energizer bunny!Life is good on the AT!Peace & Blessings - Next StepElevation Data:               Weather:Ascent ~ 1,520                  Day ¢ 73 degrees / Partly SunnyDescent ~ 2,870                Night ¢ 49 degrees / WindyGrade ~ 7.8Over the Horizon: McAfee¢s Knob