Date: 2007-06-09
From: Black Horse Gap

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: scattered clouds

June 9, Quick Day Hike Happy birthday, Mom! And thank you for the wonderful bag of goods you sent down with Eric.I had a great idea this morning - I asked Young Eagle and Ronin if they would drop me off down the trail and I'd hike south into town so that Eric didn't have to fetch me when he finally got here. They were kind enough to oblige and I was on the trail at 11:30 a.m.I was hiking as fast as I could and only stopped twice all day. I knew Eric would be in town around 5 p.m. so I was trying to hike in right around then. I stopped at Wilson Creek Shelter to sign the register. The Gimp was there and we chatted for a moment. I also stopped and had a quick lunch on a fallen tree. After that, I was all business. I only stopped to knock the rocks out of my shoes at 4 p.m. and by 5 p.m. I was crossng 220 to the Howard Johnson hotel. The terrain was pretty easy today - especially going southbound. I was thankful for that because it was pretty hot out. The trail was pretty much a green tunnel though, not much to see or speak of, really.Right near Salt Pond Road, I ran into a dad and his young son (couldn't have been more than four/five years old) out for an overnight hike. It was the cutest thing. The little boy ran right up to me and hugged my legs. I asked him if he was having fun and he yelled "yes!" as loud as he could. He had his own backpack and everything. I loved it. I almost wished I could be at the shelter with them tonight to see their routine! We waved goodbye and I was on my merry way.It was great to see Eric when I got back into town. We drove to Roanoke for dinner and, WB, we tried to go to Red Lobster but the line was out the door and I already had a headache from hunger. I'm sure we'll try again in the next few days.Something funny? Ronin and Young Eagle left me a note saying they were still here. Apparently the rental car place closed before they got there this morning! It is so hard to get out of town. I couldn't believe it. I felt sort of bad since I probably delayed them this morning.A good day today. Eric was appalled at the sight of my legs - filled with poison ivy, bug bites, scrapes, scratches, and bumps. I had warned him but...- Sound of "You, Me and Dupree" on TV, the AC in the hotel room. Post Trail Thoughts:I remember that it was a great feeling hiking alone that day. I made pretty good time that day and it felt nice to be cruising and get 13 miles out of the way pretty quickly. It was also pretty nice just walking into town and hopping into the shower. I felt like I had quite a routine. Eric pulled in just as I arrived and we talked to Smokestack and Mother Nature for a while. As I walked up to my room, I saw Ronin's note stuck with his green duct tape on the wall near my door. I couldn't believe they were still in town! I went down to their room only to find Young Eagle sleeping and Ronin near the pool soaking up the sun. I didn't feel too bad for spoiling their plan - they were using their time wisely. Later, we headed to a mall in Roanoke for dinner - BW3s. What a fabulous night. It was so nice to have Eric there.