Date: 2008-04-19
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: James River Footbridge
Miles today: 10.0

The frogs¢ song last night was great. After I finished writing my journal entry I crawled into my sleeping bag, the others were either in bed or journaling. The frogs were singing, then suddenly they stopped. The woods were silent. We all shot up and turned to look at the pond. It reminded me of a Far Side cartoon I once saw. I can't remember the details, but there were bears involved. We shined our lights toward the pond but saw nothing. Soon they began to sing again. A little while later they stopped again... all except one little frog who continued on. I said 'Doesn't that remind you of how in church when everyone stops singing and you miss the que and keep going. Bet that frog's really embarrassed right now.' We all laughed... we've all done it. :O)Our goal was to get up early and beat the heat up to the top of Bluff Mountain. We headed out of camp at 8AM... we haven't quite mastered moving early in the morning. But we did make it to the top by 9. What a stunning view in all directions. I tried to take a picture with my phone and send it to as many friends as I had cell numbers for, but it didn't work.Nearby is a monument to a little five-year old boy, Ottie, who got lost from his school back in 1891. He was found several months later dead on the mountain-top. It was a nice little monument and people had left things... toys and such. We had nothing to leave... not carrying anything extra, so I made a wooden cross and left that.From there the day was mostly downhill. We stopped at Rocky Row Rocks and had lunch before starting the final steep descent. There we met a section hiker. Didn't get his name, but he was a pastor from Lutherville, MD. Had a nice chat.The walk down the mountain was good. We had been warned about the gnats, but we had a nice breeze going down and the gnats were nowhere around.At the bottom of the hill we strolled for a mile along Rocky Row Creek. It was a gorgeous walk. I was very surprised not to see day hikers in a place like this on a lovely Saturday afternoon. We finally stepped out onto the road and could see the footbridge.We were to meet Soaring's nephew here at 6:30, but it was only 3:00, so we thought we'd just hang out under the bridge.Earlier this week walking up a steep hill I had hurt my right leg. The uphills had been straining my Achilles tendons. I'd been careful to do stretches each morning, night and at all breaks, but.. my left foot slipped on a stick and my right tendon popped. It didn't seem to be too serious, just sore. For the next couple of days I wore Tigger's ankle brace. I stopped wearing it when it felt better. Then we came to the road at the footbridge. I had Roo by the leash and took a step out into the road just as a car came flying around the curve. Quickly I stepped into a run. My tendon didn't like the sudden movement and popped again. I limped slowly to the bridge.We plopped our packs down and I propped my foot up. Turns out this wasn't the footbridge, but a train bridge. Nearby were three young men. We had heard earlier from two thru hikers that they were giving out beer at the bridge. Tigger went to ask if they might have some ice we could borrow. They did and gave us an ice pack.A little while later they came around to talk with us. Their names were Ryan, Stetsen and Andrew. They were getting ready to leave and asked if they could give us a ride somewhere. We jumped on the offer and asked if they knew where a laundry mat was. They said they could find one. Turns out they were in a Honda Element (becoming one of our support vehicles of choice next to the PCTexpress). We crammed the three of them, four of us, four backpacks and a dog into the car... possibly not legal, but it was fun.They asked if there was anywhere else they could take us and we said the only other thing we needed to do was find an outfitter for some supplies. They took us to an outfitter and it turned out there was a laundry in the same shopping area. The outfitter didn't have what we were looking for, so we headed to the laundry. Soaring and I started the wash while Owl watched Roo outside and Tigger took the guys to a nearby restaurant to treat them and us to burgers. (they were excellent!)We said good-bye to our newest trail angels (Thanks guys, you were terrific!!) and finished up the wash just in time for Tim and Teresa to show up to take us home.We spent our zero day at Teresa's house in Lynchburg. She shares a cool old house with three other young ladies. They were all so gracious to us...and we made a mess of their living room with our sorting, cleaning and resupplying.The thru hikers we met today on the trail were Grasshopper and Brakeman, and Travis. We had a nice conversation with Grasshopper and Brakeman. They told us if we meet another couple down the trail to ask them if they are the girl scouts. ...more on that later.It was a wonderful day. God provided us with some amazing trail angels and friends today. He is good!Rabbit, Owl and RooJoshua 1:9