Date: 2011-05-02
From: US 501, James River, Glasgow, VA

To: 1 mile north of Pedilar Lake Rd.
Miles today: 17.0

Ken picked me up at 9:15am. I asked him if he would take me to the outfitter in Lexington, a town 5 miles west of Buena Vista. He looked at his watch and said he could. I ran out of Aqua Mira which I used to purify my water. We got there at 9:30am. I go to the door, the store does not open for another 30 minutes. Ken unfortunately had another shuttle so he could not wait. So off we go to the trail. I decided last night that I would stay in the hotel again on Tuesday night. Heavy storms are predicted for Tuesday afternoon and night. The weather is then supposed to be pretty nice for the next 7 days. It is a little over 21 miles to the next road where Ken can pick me up. Ken drops me off at 10:30am. He says "you've got 3 good climbs today". He was spot on! The climbs were finished by 1:30pm. The rest of the day was mild ups and downs. Had lunch on a beautiful overlook...the valley with the James River winding through it was over 2800ft below. Just beautiful. I took another break around 3:10pm at Punchbowl Shelter. Saw FAT JIM, who I hadn't seen since the day I got off the trail due to overheating. I also met two other section hikers PAPA MUSCRAT and SEAMSTRESS. We talked about the trail and the killing of Osama Bin Laden. FAT JIM and SEAMSTRESS decided to stay at Punchbowl Shelter. PAPA MUSCRAT was almost done with his hike. He gets off the trail in Waynesborough, about 4 days away. He was going to head down the trail as was I. I took off at 3:45am before PAPA MUSCRAT. I intended to hike until 6:00pm then look for a camping spot along the trail. That way I could have a short hike to the road in the AM. I am to meet Ken at Noon for a shuttle to the outfitter and my motel. Ended hiking 17 miles today and feel very good. The only negative today were the gnats and deerflys. I felt I was B-17 flying fortress in the WWII pacific war theater getting attacked by Japaneese Zeros. They just kept buzzing around me all day. The weather had something to do with the bugs, as the day was sunny, humid and in the 80's. Prime bug weather! I am now camped right next to a rushing stream. NICE! Thank you for all your support in reading my journal and signing my guestbook!SEAMSTRESS and FAT JIM taking a break at Punchbowl Shelter.PAPA MUSCRAT at Punchbowl Shelter.First Previous Next LastHiker Entries May 02, 2011JournalistDestinationTrailCanaryDick's Creek Gap - Hiawasee, GAAppalachian TrailBalls and Sunshinemiddle of nowhere Pacific Crest TrailRuhRohPine Grove Furnace State ParkAppalachian TrailTater-- View Entry --Appalachian TrailVictusBoiling SpringsAppalachian TrailFraser FirLoft Mountain final entry on the dayAppalachian TrailFraser FirLoft Mountain entry two on the dayAppalachian TrailFraser FirLoft MountainAppalachian TrailSweet Spot-- View Entry --Appalachian TrailSunshine and FlycatcherStanding Bear Hostel Appalachian TrailMore...Grouped By Trail... I love all of them. Everybody I met on this trail, everyone¢¦ I still can't believe what lengths they were prepared to go to for me. I'd do the same for them in a heartbeat. We'd do it for anyone.I'm in love with this life....    Rocket Llama ¢Pacific Crest Trail2013HikingTrailsJournalsPhotosCalendarGearLinksPartnersULA EquipmentREIPatagoniaNetworkTrail ForumsTrail NewsAbout UsContactDonateJoinLoginHelpFollow UsFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterest LinkedinTop Photo © Cindy - The Appalachian Trail, 04/01/2002 by MrsGorpTrailjournals LLC © 2024All Rights Reserved. privacy policyNewburyport, MA 01950Terms under which this service is provided to you. Build: 20210226:165913Manage Settings