Date: 2014-05-14
From: Marble Springs Campsite MM 773.1

To: Glasgow Virginia
Miles today: 7.7

Was quite the eventful night with a large tree crashing to the ground around 330 am, a deer browsing on the green grass in the open space nearby and a *&^% whipperwill serenading us all night long. Our goal for today was to get down to the James River and into Glasgow to shower, do laundry, eat some calories and resupply. We made pretty good time down to the river footbridge and while in the process of taking pictures ran into Jo Hawk with some family members. They were taking a short hike and advised us that they had left some trail magic in the parking lot on the other side of the river. After some quick pics with Gray Ghost we hustled over and found grape sodas, krispy kremes, fruit, oreo cookies and other hiker delectibles. While there we met 3 students from Duke who were trying to hitch in the other direction and shortly met there objective (it didn't hurt that 2 of them were young girls) and off they went. Shortly after Uncle Tom came up the road from where he had been trying to place a call to his grandfather who was coming from Lexington to pick him up. He advised us that Problem Bear was sick at the next shelter. While Gray Ghost and I tried thumbing from the parking his grandfather showed up. At that time I started to try and plant the idea in Uncle Tom's mind that we would like a ride, but it took me coming right out and asking him if his grandfather would give us a ride into town and he responded, you can ask him. So I did and he graciously said certainly. Shortly after we were at the local church hostel, a 3 sided canvas covered shelter with 3 tiered bunk beds on both sides. They were also installing outlets and hooking up a shower for the hikers, but it wouldn't be ready while we were there. Cromwell, Cowboy and Gargamell along with Lorax, Wikapedia wee also there. After a quick trip to the Post Office it was off to the library to charge our phones. I also contacted the Attorney Generals Office and got them the information they needed. Then we went to lunch at Soccoro's where we arranged for a ride back to the trail head in the a.m. Then did some shopping at the local grocery store and Dollar General. Thankfully not having to carry as much with meeting up with Terry in a few days. Did some laundry after that as well as some journaling. We then went back to Soccoro's and I ordered a large pizza and ate half with half meant for my breakfast and dinner tomorrow. Boy that plan go astray. About an hour later I began to feel sick and for the next 12 hours vomited continuously until there was nothing left and vomited some more. There was also one other guy there in the same boat. Luckily I was on the first bunk and he was on the third. This bug had been going around for the past few weeks with different hikers getting it. Needless to say there is nothing worse then getting sick on the trail. Its not like being home where you can run to the medicine cabinet or the store to get something for relief. Hopefully I will be ready for the 20 mile hike up one of the larger mountains tomorrow and possibly in the rain as a severe weather front is pushing through tonight. Stay tuned!