Date: 2012-05-15
From: Hiker Inn Hostel

To: Whitetop Mountain Rd
Miles today: 20.1

I enjoyed my breakfast so much the day before, I went back.  Only this time, I faced some hiker discrimination.  They would not serve me with metal flatware.  The hiker before and after me (both dressed in town clothes) received the simple upgrade but I was told to use plastic disposable utensils.  I even asked a second time to no avail.  I was given an excuse that with so many hikers coming in, they couldn't possibly keep up with dishes.  There were perhaps ten people in the whole place.  I made a comment about landfill waste but I should have phrased it in the form of a direct question, forcing her to either answer against the environment or give me proper utensils.  I was irritated.  I had also tipped her $2.50 at the counter.  That's a fairly good tip for pouring me a pre-brewed coffee, microwaving a cinnamon roll, and calling a number.  Table service was also out of the question although both of the other casually-dressed hikers received their food delivered to their tables.  I was miffed and vowed not to return.  I vote with my dollar, folks.  It's possibly the most powerful vote you have.  Note that Cowboy's has a delicious breakfast as does In the Country.  Check 'em out!  I had some parking lot conversation on my way out.  The hikers were rolling into town in droves.  I was on my way out into good weather and lots of up.  My 20-miler was off to a late start at 9:30 and I decided to stop at Saunders Shelter for water.  It was a half mile off the trail but had such a nice camp area with a big lawn and a mini forest for hammocks.  I talked to a group slack packing back into Damascus waiting on their friend.  I had just passed their friend who had all the food and water.  He had ditched them and they ran off to catch him leaving me with a peaceful lunch space.  I hit the trail with a vengeance and hiked all day through the forest.  All day.  I spent some time on the Creeper Trail co-mingling with cyclists, walked across a big wooden bridge dedicated to a guy in the lumber industry, and slid through some gravel that had been dumped but not spread out.  More forest.  Even more forest.  I finally got to a clearing and found a spring and needed to start looking for a spot to camp.  I found some friendly hikers in amongst some trees.  Zachary and Heather from Eastern Virginia and  8 O'clock Sharp and his friend Stephan from Ohio.  There was also a church group being loud up the way but the five of us made a fire, told stories, and had a nice evening watching an amazing sunset light up the cumulus cloud-filled sky.  8OS offered me his entire supply of tea.  His son apparently sent it to him but he is a coffee guy and didn't want it.  It is an herbal tea.  I pull out hints of vanilla, some lemon, a touch of caramel and something fruity. I have no way of knowing for sure.  I normally like more natural tasting teas but these are pretty fancy and I am happy that 8OS didn't just toss them in the garbage.  I set up the rainfly halfway and am crossing my fingers tonight.  Enjoying the view of the galaxy flying by is worth a potential early-morning emergency rainfly pitch.  Goodnight from the trees.