Date: 2005-05-20
From: Woodshole hostel

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

It was an nice walk into town this mourning. Patch, Curly, Free Radical, and Epic (all stayed at Woodshole along with Tex) all rolled into town by early afternoon time before me. It was a decent walk off the trail to the main "downtown" area where the post office was. I walked through the drive-thru at the dairy queen because the insidee wasn't open for business. I got a large vanilla cone and it was worth standing in exhaust fumes in a line of cars. I then headed further down street passing a sports bar where Patch ran outside and told me to come in. I went to the bar and ordered a bottle of Bud. The bar tender asked if I would like the small or big one. "The larger one, please," I replied thinking of the little "baby" bottles as the small size. Expecting to get a normal siazed bottle, she hands me a large 22 oz bottle. So I drank that down having walked fresh off the trail with nothing in my belly. It didn't hit me as hard as I expected. I think after awhile (and two nights of trail days excitement) m! y tolerance my have gone up a little bit since the first trail beer i had back in GA. If my tolerance did go up it was only by a little bit, and I had to finish and head to the post office before 4:30. Looks like there will be kariokee at the bar tonight so I will probably be back.------------------------The hostel is nice, complete with a full kitchen and hot showers. Mattresses are in the loft. Its a converted wooden barn with a great view from the front porch. It is a little further int town from the trail (about 2 miles off trail), but it worked out nicely. I was able to catch rides from the caretaker as well as other people involved with the church. The hostel is run by the church right next, but the hostel is completely funded by hiker's donations. When I first arrived, I poked my head into the church to see if there was information on the hostel. From the church it is hard to see the hostel through a bunch of large trees. As soon as I stepped in, I heard a voice around the corner inside telling me to come in. I was invited around back and sat down and talked to the father for maybe over an hour. He told me about the area, particularly the people, and that he was from New Jersey as well. He was in the back area running a yard sale to raise money for the chur! ch. I helped him bring in a bunch of boxes that were dropped off by an older gentlemen whose name I think was Ray but I can't remember now exactly. I went back to the hostel and situated myself, then Ray came round and offerred a ride into town. He took me to a mega mart and back. I was able to get an 8" italian sub and a rain poncho as well as some more local knowledge of the area.------I had went to the psot office expecting three packages, but they only had one. I will have to try again tomorow. I expected new boots, my bounce box, and my summer sleeping bag. I am glad I didn't plan many mail drops as resupplies for food because it is a hastle timing the psot office. The postal eorkers are very good with helping hikers and forwarding packages, but it is a hastle nonetheless. Hopefully they'll be there tomorow.