Date: 2005-07-20
From: Blacksburg VA

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: overcast clouds

The Greyhound bus got to Roanoke a bit before 4 am this morning. I don't think that I slept more than half an hour. At least I was getting of there. The woman beside me was going to Atlanta and wasn't going to be arriving there until 5 pm that eveing. I waited around outside the bus station until 4:50 when I took the Smart Way bus to Blacksburg. I had hoped that the bus station would be open for me to sit down inside. The problem with being outside buildings in cities is that everyone is smoking. I was so tired and dehydrated from the trip that the tabaco smoke was making we feel a bit nausious. All the buses south of Boston had the A/C cranked and I was cold the whole trip. It was probably a contributing factor to my sleepless journey. On the SmartWay bus I had my bag with me so I got out my sleeping bag and got inside. Honestly whe it is sohot out peole should wear shorts and skirts; heavy denim jeans were not meant to be warn year round! I was just about cmfortab! le and asleep when we got to the Virginia Tech campus. It feels sort of funny to be back here. Most places on the trail you pass by once and then don't see them again.I found the outfitter downtown and checked out the hours that they were open. I was glad to see that hey opened at 9am rather than an hour or two later. I needed to pick up some AquaMira before hiting the trail. Just off the campus I came upon a little restaurant caled Gilles. I had the most wonderfull breakfast there. Scrmbled eggs, potatoes, buiscuit and granola with soy milk. I think all the food there was vegitarian with some entres vegan. You could actually substitute eggs for scrambeled tofu. Stewie would have definatly enjoyed eating here. Another thing that struck me was that things seemed less expensive than up north. I was so full at the end of the meal that I couldn't finish all the granola; but the whole thing cost less than the breakfast i had at Friendlies Restaurant in Bennington VT.I walked down the road to the ATC Virginia Regional Office (actually in Newport rather than Blacksburg) and arranged a shuttle.I had the lady from the Rendez Vous motel drop me off at Wal-Mart so that I could get some food to re-supply. Leaving the store I got a hitch back to the church hostel without even having to ask. At the hostel I unpacked my stuff, repacked the food and tried to take a nap. I couldn't sleep despite being so exhausted. All I could think about was Teach and Stewie in the Whites, having 360 awesome views, while I was stuck in the green tunnel. I seriously miss those two and I haven't even started hiking yet. I have to add that I don't miss their farting. Virginia Blues here I come.Needless to point out that I didn't have much get up and go to get hiking. I got back on the trail where I left off over a month ago just before 4 pm. When I got to the first shelter I met Crutch and Jtown. I had entended to move on, but I jst felt workn out and completely tired. I figured there was no point in killing my body, I might as well rest up and get things back on track tommorrow.Who can sail when there is no windAnd no oars to be rowingAnd who can sail far away from friendsWith no tears a flowingI can sail where there is no windAnd no oars to be rowingBut I can't sail far away from friendsWith no tears a flowing