Date: 2005-09-26
From: Near Chestnut Knob Shelter, VA

To: Adkins, VA
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: moderate rain

22.7 miles todayRelax InnAdkins, Va. I slept good last night. I woke up at 6:50am and made coffee and had my last 2 Little Debbie fried pies for breakfast. I did wake up at 3:30 again this morning, but just smiled to myself because I knew I had a shorter day and rolled over and went back to sleep. It was windy out this morning and the radio said it was supposed to rain today. I got packed up and was walking by 7:35am. Even though it wasn't any cooler than it has been, it felt nicer because of the breeze up there on Chestnut Knob. I walked for almost 2 miles through a field up on top, before detouring into the woods at a spot that would be very easy to miss the trail if you weren't paying real close attention. Once I got into the woods, the breeze died down and it started raining. I was walking along and stepped over a log and almost stepped on a box turtle. When he saw my foot coming over the log, he retreated into his shell in a hurry. :-))) I haven't seen a box turtle since Pennsylvania, I think. Chestnut Knob was at 4410 foot elevation and I kept walking downhill this morning until I got to Lick Creek at 2200 foot elevation, then back up 800 feet to Lynn Camp Mountain. I went down 600 feet to Lynn Camp Creek and back up 600 feet to Knot Maul Shelter where I took a break to get out of the rain and sign the register. I also ate a couple snacks while I was there because I don't like eating while I'm walking in the rain. I hiked on a few hundred feet up to the top of that mountain, then back down about 700 feet. Seems like that's how today was going to go. I had a couple 300 foot bumps before climbing Big Walker Mountain. For some reason, that one seemed to take longer than the 800 foot climb should. Next was 900 feet down to Crawfish Valley before climbing 800 feet up Gullion Mountain. On the way up that mountain, I ran into a northbound hiker!! That is a real rare sight to see anyone out here hiking right now. His name was Freddy Bear and he's doing a long distance hike from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Harpers Ferry, WV. We stood there in the rain talking for about 5 minutes before hiking on. I only had a couple 300 to 400 foot bumps left for the day. In between the two bumps was Davis Path Shelter. I stopped in and signed the register, but didn't eat anything because I knew I'd be at a restaurant in a few miles. I walked into Adkins, Va and walked right up to Rhonda's Restaurant and ordered both specials that were listed on the board...Polish sausage and saurkraut with pinto beans and beets on the side and a bowl of potato soup. They were both very good. I headed towards the motel to check in, but stopped at the truckstop and bought 1/2 a gallon of chocolate milk and a bag of popcorn. I got checked in, cleaned up and spent the rest of the evening answering emails and talking to my daughter and my daughter-in-law and the grandkids. My stuff is hanging all over the room drying out for tomorrow. Hey George and Ginny Fisher, I would have sent you an email thanking you for all the trail magic yesterday, but I didn't have an address, but I really want you both to know how much I appreciated that kindness. Thank you very much. :-)))