Date: 2008-05-29
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Johns Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: few clouds

It was really chilly last night but I was plenty warm and for the first time in awhile, I didn¢t overheat. The sky was bright blue and the sun was shining early this morning. I applied lots and lots of sunblock in preparation of a hike in the sunshine. There was a fire going this morning and we kind of got sucked in a bit; that always happens. I was ready before Brad, though! That was a first.We hit the Trail at about 9:00am. So much for getting out early¢¦oh well. The start of the day is really mellow. There is this lookout spot we stop at and it is crazy cool. You can see the mountains far in the distance and you know there is a valley between those mountains and the ones you¢re on, but you can¢t see anything below because the clouds are just blanketing it. They are big, thick, white, fluffy clouds and it looks like you would be able to jump into them and lay on a bed of comfort. It is so neat looking; I take lots of photos and videotape. We have a monstrous downhill and at the bottom is Petites Gap where we find a cooler. Inside are cold sodas and double-stuffed Oreos. Jackpot! The note is from ¢the Runner¢ who is actually up ahead doing Trail work. We take a heavenly break at the cooler. On our climb to Highcock Knob we encounter ¢the Runner¢ and thank him for the goodies. He asks us about when we started then informs us we need to pick up the pace and that we may want to think about flip-flopping. Umm, ok, and I laugh it off. Then he informs me that I¢ll blister from the sun. I let him know I¢m wearing sunblock spf 45. He tells me it¢s useless after 30. Ok, buddy. Then he wants to know why I don¢t wear trail runners instead of boots, as he obviously thinks (I can tell by his tone) I have the wrong shoes. I know this guy gave us Trail magic and all but it doesn¢t give him the right to be a total dink. He however, thinks it does. After talking with everyone else who passed him today I find out he treated us all the same way: like poop. I¢m not really quite sure what his deal was with criticizing hikers. I guess they can¢t all be Trail Angels.We pass the Trail to Devil¢s Marble Yard and don¢t take it. I¢m wishing we had. It is supposed to be amazing; a big fields full of big quartz rocks. Guess I¢ll just have to put it on my ¢to hike¢ list. We go way downhill, way, way down. Matt¢s Creek Shelter is right on the creek and would be a lovely place to stop, but I¢ve barely hiked today. I keep truckin¢ past the shelter but after following the creek for about 10 minutes I see a lovely spot that keeps calling my name. I stop take off my pack, my boots and socks. I sit on a rock on the edge and soak my feet and legs in the water. It¢s a bit cool at first but it feels refreshing. I hang out like this for about and hour, just sitting and thinking. I do stand in the middle of the pool and wash my legs, arms, face and hair and then sit drying in the sun. It is a peaceful, relaxing stop and exactly what I needed. My sweaty socks dried in the sun and with my soft, clean feet I felt brand new when I put my boots back on. I come to the James River Foot Bridge and this is where I catch up with Brad and Busdriver and a whole bunch of foul-mouthed teenage boys. They are cursing up a storm as they jump off the bridge. Busdriver finally gives in and actually jumps with them! We have dropped down to 710 feet in elevation! My feet don¢t hurt as much as they usually do, probably do to my foot therapy in the creek. Brad and Busdriver have decided to hitch into town. I hike on to Johns Hollow Shelter, set up the tent and filter water. They eventually show up with soda, chips, hotdogs, buns, condiments and marshmallows! It is a feast fit for any snack-packer! I get a box of Kraft mac & cheese as nowhere in the south sells veggie burgers. We build a big fire and there are huge tree stumps all around the pit that serve as great seats. We stay up late eating and laughing.