Date: 2008-05-13
From: Big Walker Motel, Bland, VA

To: 1 mile s of Dismal Creek Falls, VA.
Miles today: 19.6

I woke up at 6am and took a shower, then packed up.I couldn't remember what time Pole Climber said they would pick me up at the Dairy Queen to drop me off at the trailhead, so I checked out at 7am and started to walk over to the DQ.Blues Traveler and Poptop started talking to me, then Brushy Sage and Forrest Gimp came out to talk.I got over to the DQ about 7:15 and ordered a small breakfast of a bacon and egg biscuit, hashbrowns and coffee.I ate that and drank a few cups of coffee and no one showed up, so at 8am, I started to walk towards town.Pole Climber drove up before I even got out of the parking lot. :-)I went in DQ while the four of them ate their breakfast. Pole climber bought me another coffee, so I had about four cups this morning! :-)We all headed up to the trailhead and got Blues Traveler to take a group picture.Thanks Pole Climber and the rest of you guys for getting me back to the Trail. :-)I started walking north at 9am.It was a gorgeous morning! The sun was shining, there were blue skies and the temperature was about 50 degrees.I could see Blues Traveler ahead for the first mile when the Trail straightened out.The Trail was a little soggy and slick from all the rain yesterday.I passed by Helveys Mill Shelter without stopping.I was just kind of loppin' along at a very easy pace. Kyonite and Sunkist....and their 2 dogs came by me pretty fast.I found a fallen tree that had my name on it, so I stopped and ate lunch.I had some Vienna sausages, a barbeque chicken breast, Fritos, raisins, nuts and a Rice Krispy Treat because I deserved it! :-)I got to VA 611 and passed by Retread and Blues Traveler taking a break. G-town Colonel had left just before I got there.We all started walking about the same time and I eventually got ahead of everyone.I think they all stopped at Jenny Knob Shelter, but I had my sights set on Trents Grocery in another 7 miles.I met two guys doing a long southbound section hike. Kimo and Solar Spec.Solar Spec said he's followed me on my journal before.I took their picture, but must have accidentally erased it. :-(I kept walking and got to the suspension bridge just before the road that goes to Trent's Grocery.I crossed the bridge, turned left on the road and was in front of a menu in half a mile. :-)I ordered two hotdogs, a patty melt, fries and a Coke. SteadFast pulled up a chair and joined me.I had only met her briefly 4 or 5 nights ago as I passed by where she was camped at, so it was nice to actually talk to her.I finished my food, walked around back and filled up my water bottles, then headed back for the Trail.There were lots of hikers at Trents; SteadFast, Brushy Sage, Forrest Gimp, Mike, Alien (used to be Mainiac) and Blues Traveler.I walked by Sunbeam as I was almost back to the Trail.I climbed about a mile of the hill and found a ridge that led out to a flat spot.I walked out there and set up my tent for the night, even though it was still early....about 6pm.I took a bandana bath and checked good for ticks because I found one crawling up my leg earlier today.....the first tick of the year for me.I have been amazed all day by just how green the woods are getting. It's getting harder and harder to see distant mountains because of all the new leaves.Just think how much fun it will be when autumn gets here and I can start catching all those leaves! I have a feeling that I'm going to win "The Leaf Catching Game" once again. :-)Another great day on the Appalachian Trail. :-)