Date: 2004-03-26
From: Campbell Shelter

To: VA 624 (Four Pines Hostel)
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: clear sky

Homeplace7:30PM - Four PinesI thought the star of today's hike would be McAfee Knob. Even though it was the high point (3250', with great views of yesterday's Tinker Cliffs and of the Peaks of Otter and Apple Orchard Mtn of nearly a week ago (which I think of as Sharp and Flat because of their shapes)), two other landmarks were more memorable.As far as hiking is concerned, Catawba Mtn was a much tougher hike, even though it is 500' lower. That's because it is a series of about 10 small peaks arranged along a ridge (called Sawtooth Ridge locally) about 4 mi long, with each peak 200' to 400' above the gaps in between, so the total elevation change was about 3000' altogether. By the way, Sawtooth Ridge as well as McAfee Knob have the same structure as Tinker Cliffs, a layer of thick, hard rock (not granite as I had thought yesterday, but a sedimentary or metamorphic rock, perhaps limestone) just at the top of the mountain. I have seen the same structure on sharp peaks in the White Mountains, and have come to think of the rock layer on top as 'granite suspenders' (it may not be granite in the Whites either, but since it is the Granite State, I am allowing myself a bit of poetic license).I saw a bit of life on the Trail again today. A trail maintainer who thru-hiked as Batty in 01 was repairing the spring at Catawba Mtn Shelter. I forgot to thank Batty for doing the valuable work of a Trail maintainer. 'Thanks, Batty. And you were right, I should have taken a full liter of water instead of half. I ran out of water before reaching the next source.' I also met several day hikers headed up McAfee Knob.I saw another lizard, and many more kinds of birds today, as well as a wealth of butterflies. But the most interesting wildlife was the half-dozen or so squirrels I saw on Catawba Mtn. They were grey, but looked noticeably larger than the squirrels I have encountered heretofore, and they showed no tendency to use trees, but stayed on the ground as they scampered away from me. I saw a profusion of wildflowers today for the first time. Some violets (probably), some flowers with six yellow petals, some with eight white petals shaped like a spearhead, and quite a few daffodils.Tonight is my first time staying in a hostel. It is called the Four Pines, is in Catawba, VA, and is run by Joe Mitchell. It is essentially a very large garage behind Joe's house with cots, a fridge, a shower and other amenities. There is no set charge, but a donation is asked for.Joe is also willing to shuttle hikers around Catawba. One place of note is The Homeplace, a home-style restaurant in a large old house. I ate there tonight (open only Thu-Sun). For $12 (including tax) plus tip I got two kinds of meat, five kinds of vegetables, biscuits and gravy, blueberry cobbler and ice cream, all in fixed portions, as well as as much lemonade, iced tea and coffee as I wanted. I had so much I couldn't eat that with the addition of an orange juice bought on the way back, I will have a more-than-adequate breakfast from the leftovers. The Homeplace was definitely the non-hiking star of today.And now to take advantage of the Four Pines' shower, and to bed nearly by hikers' bedtime. Good night.See you on down the TrailPS - The names of the three NoBos who came through Daleville on the 24th are the Solemates (Lady S and ?? S) and Officer Taco. They both stayed at Four Pines and wrote long entries in the register. They are traveling at over 20 miles a day. Unbelievable !!------------------------------Have you ever caught a water taxi tothe Opera? www.pocketmail.com