Date: 2007-04-20
From: Jenny Knob Shelter, VA

To: Holy Family Hostel, Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 31.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I'm not entirely sure why I did it. Partially, it was to prove to myself that I can pull a 30+ mile day if I put my mind to it. Partially, I wanted to catch Thrills and Dogfather, and partially, I had convinced myself that I would be eating a real dinner and breakfast. I don't think I'll do it again, though.It stopped raining around midnight, and my stuff had dried out most of the way by morning. I got up and left camp early, the plan being to get to the last shelter before town, about nine miles out, then decide. Along the way, once I'd realized that there'd probably be enought daylight to make it, I decided that if I got to the shelter and Thrills and Dogfather were there, I'd call it a day and hang out, but if they weren't, I'd go on to town.When I got there, though, there was a third possibility that I hadn't even begun to consider, which was that we'd all be arrested and thrown into jail. Wait. . . wrong story. Anyways, Thrills and Dogfather weren't at the shelter, so I got into the mindset that I was going on. But when I checked the register, I saw that they were planning on camping halfway to town. By that time, I couldn't have stayed, having psyched myself up so much.I ran into them about three miles from town. I'd have pitched my tent and stayed, because I was starting to get tired, but there was no water, and I was nearly out. They're going to try to get into town early tomorrow, so I'm going to try to meet them at a restaurant and catch up a little bit before heading back out on the trail.From where they were camped, the trail dropped steeply down into the valley. Near the bottom, I came across an old lady, curled up in a sleeping bag. She was out for the night, just to enjoy the fresh air and the stars. I stopped to talk a little, but by this point, I was racing the sun.I got to the road just after 8:00, just as the sun set behind the hills. I didn't have any luck hitching on the divided highway where the trail came out, but as soon as I turned onto the town roads, I got a ride from a young woman. She drove me up the hill a mile or two, and dropped me at the Dairy Queen for dinner and ice cream. I was starving, and it was delicious!After dinner, though, it was just about dark, and nobody would pick me up, so I had to walk all the way to the hostel, which is on top of a big hill. Wingfoot's book says it's a mile from the P.O. to here, but it was at least two, if not three. It's a long ways away from everything. It didn't help that I got lost a couple of times in the dark. Hale Street, Gale Street, what's the difference?Finally, at about 9:30, I got here, tired, sore, but at least I had eaten.   Bacon was here, as well as Zero and Molasses, who I've been slowly closing in on. They took two zeros here, and are headed out tomorrow. They had some extra dinner, which I was happy to finish for them, and then I took a hot shower.It was cool to say I did 30 miles, but I don't think I'll do it again. By the end, my feet were killing me, and I was more stumbling down the hill than walking. I can tell I'm going to be sore tomorrow. Mostly, though, I didn't enjoy it. All I did was walk; I didn't stop to enjoy the day, I barely stoppped to eat, and I didn't stop to talk to people. Tomorrow, I'm going to take it easy, hang out with the folks in town, catch up with Thrills and Dogfather, then get out of town around 1:00 or 2:00, and go six miles to the first shelter. But first, I need some good sleep. I'm sure I'll sleep well tonight.The BrainFog & Powerlines - Click picture to see full sizeSpiderweb w dew - Click picture to see full sizeKimberly Creek Bridge - Click picture to see full sizePearisburg & New River from Angel's Rest-1 - Click picture to see full sizePearisburg & New River from Angel's Rest-2 - Click picture to see full size