Date: 2011-04-28
From: north of thunder ridge

To: punchbowl shelter entry three on the day
Miles today: 22.5
Weather: light rain

04/28/2011 Thursday- entry number three on the daynorth of thunder ridge to punch bowl-cross the James River Footbridge lowest point on AT since Springer Mountain and longest footbridge on the entire footpath.22.50 miles The sun has come out for good. It has won out over the rain for now.Plateau type valleys dominate the scenery behind the James River and Interstate 81. I am looking north west towards Natural Bridge.As I mentioned, today is the first time that I have had to cross over water in any realistic fashion since hiking seven hundred plus miles of the Appalachian Trail.Back flip and Patches directed me towards the easiest way across Matts Creek.The water came up over my hip belt and I found it to be quite refreshing.My feet are feeling fine. These are great trail runners.Walking back into the fiery furnace down at the lower elevations. Blue berry bushes are prominent and around six to seven weeks away from blossoming.I take a quick break at Matts Creek Shelter and visit with my two new friends. They are headed to Punchbowl tonight and I am praying that I can make it to the Pedlar Dam.The walk across the foot bridge is awesome. The weather is quite perfect, even in the open sun.The west or south side of the mountain range protects me from the afternoon sun. Once I cross the river, I will be ¢exposed¢ to ultra violet. rays at the upper elevations because of the leafless summits.Next, I move quickly towards John Hollow Shelter for my next water/snack break.The reality is that I am seventy nine miles to Rockfish Gap. It is Thursday and tomorrow morning at 11:00 a.m. I will meet Sharon at Rte. 60-Long Mountain Wayside.Hemlock trees grow at 1,000 feet elevation this far north in Virginia. They would never survive in Gainesville at 1,400 or so where I live.I ¢marshed¢ in my crocs and lost my brown rubber shoe for one momentI run into patches and back flip again. They have not had a shower for ten days when they were at Woods hole. I want to get ahead of those guys and not be down ¢wind¢!! just kidding guys!! You are the best to hike with. You move faster than me and still make me look good because you are half my age!! Hahh!!Oops, I step on a green water snake by accident. When I turn around to look for the little guy; he is gone.Sometimes we find shelters in the most unusual places. They are welcomed because of the possibility for water sources.I meet ¢Svin¢ at Johns Hollow. He is from somewhere in Europe and the language barrier prevented me from getting a good feel for all of his plans but I know he is shooting for New Jersey but I am not so certain where he started.He is a very nice man and I enjoy meeting him. I feel blessed by his presence.The climb up to Fullers Rock is ferocious. I am huffing and puffing. I had a bag of bac n bits for pre- dinner because I did not request my food drop at the James River. I have some chicken to mix with tortillas later and the remainder of the bac-n-bits later in the afternoon.As you know the reason that I did not request a food drop is because I have a shuttle taking me north tomorrow so I will just go with what I have until then.Patches told me a story of how a hiker slept under the picnic table last night at Thunder Ridge. He woke up after midnight or so to use the bathroom and a hiker found refuge under the table. We have all heard the stories of hikers not wanting to move over for a latecomer but in this case, learning patches and back flip they would have made room for this guy.Although I was holding on for dear life in my tent, I was probably better off than the guy under the picnic table.I am hot and these ups are brutal. I may just stay at punchbowl tonight and get up at 4:00 am and head for Hwy 60. You know, Rocky Row kinka reminds me of Lovers Leap. Climbing Big Rocky Row specifically reminds me of climbing Little Hump Mountain. It seems even as though I am still a novice to the A.T., that the further that I venture north, the more that I experience people, places, and things that remind me of something further south.How cool is that??I am headed next to Bluff Mountain.Guess who I run into? This trail is not small at all. You never know who you will meet for the first, second or third time even..I ran into Stumpknocker as I make the final climb up Big Rocky Row. As Stumpknocker was headed down hill, I knew it was him. He had come from the north, moving south for Trail Days in Damascus.We did trail magic for him back at Woodys Gap in 2005. Stephanie made him a congrats card for finishing a sobo and we left cokes and sandwiches. He remembered all of the details.Stumpknocker is such a giver and it is awesome to spend a quick few minutes hearing his plans for the summer and about his family and other things in his life.Bluff Mountain is beautiful. The views are commanding and I am now headed down hill.The greenery is totally the best. You know the deeper that you get into Virginia, the more treasures are revealed.Punchbowl here I come. I think that I will sleep next to the water.good night-sleep tight- do not let the frog callers bite. Hahh!!