Date: 2013-10-20
From: Lickskillet Hollow, VA 608, Footbridge

To: Helveys Mill Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

We woke up at 8 am and it was 37 degrees! The night was freezing cold so we think it went below 30. It's really difficult to get out of our toasty sleeping bags but Neville's breakfast lured us out. We had a large happy gathering of hikers and visitors. I cherish the experience Neville creates with love and a positive, open outlook. Every meal we hold hands and say our names and hometowns. We then tell something we are grateful for. Today I said I was grateful for Cubs warm body which I was able to snuggle next to last night and keep warm. We started out later, which was fine because we were having a hard time leaving. We played with the dog, watched the animals and helped feed the pigs. The cows escaped so we watched them munch on the grass on the other side of the fence. They seemed to think it is better. Neville went to church so we packed and cleaned the bunk house. Badonkadonk Baltoed the next victim. You probably haven't been Baltoed so I will explain. A SOBO hiker named Boss started a prank where he slips the old VHS movie and case of Balto into a persons backpack. On the front he jammed a log book. When you get Baltoed you have to carry the movie. You then eat someone's snacks(a joke I think) and slip Balto in. If you get caught you have to carry it another 24 hours. Badonkadonk slipped it in Mavericks bag after Gem put it in hers.After Neville returned we headed out to the trail in her little red truck. We hugged goodbye and felt sad to go. It's the first time we've had full packs on in about 2 weeks. Since Badonkadonk and I are carrying a lot of Cubs weight we were dreading it. The day was relatively easy, though we had a lot of PUDS. The fallen leaves make the trail pretty but completely hide the hazards. It looks like a lush, soft carpet of leaves in a variety of pretty colors but rocks and roots still lurk beneath the beauty. I actually managed to avoid injury in spite of wearing Crocs all day. My Achilles' tendons hurt so bad I couldn't bear to put boots on. Happily my feet were so much more comfortable!!! And I didn't need "Vitamin I" (Ibuprofen) all day. We only managed 11 miles by 6:15pm when it started to get dark. We also were meeting Maverick here. He's an adorable kid right out of high school from TN. One of those kids who gives you hope that the world is going to be alright. He's a fast hiker so we probably won't see him again. We heard lots of funny stories from hikers about their struggles to hike through he National forests during the shut down. They all said road crossing became a fear filled event as that is when they caught you. There were stories of bush diving and tree hiding. One girl hiker said she dropped down off the trail onto the road and a ranger/cop was there. She turned and started to run back up the trail. He yelled and then turned on his sirens. She decided he was serious and came out. He took down her license and warned her and then escorted her out of the park. Several hikers relayed the same story. So stupid. What a waste of time to chase down thru hikers. Now the hikers have the added burden and expense to finish those miles.Everyone always writes about how much they admire our tenacity. It's wonderful to hear but get this one:A 75 year old woman was out here hiking. She fell and thought she broke her wrist. She called a shuttler to come get her. When he got there she had dragged her pack several miles because she couldn't get it on. At the hospital they found out her wrist was broken and also her ankle!!! She walked out on it.Today Cub said "I am one tough cookie." She is too. She swears she has absolutely no pain. She walks along and does everything as if the cast isn't even there. She can't stand to lose her independence. She is admirable to watch. She also is still way out in front of her sister and me.We cooked a nice hot meal of Pad Thai and then quickly got into our bags by 7:30. We are hoping we stay warm in the shelter but if not we will tent tomorrow night. Hoping no mice need to stay warm via us!