Date: 2016-05-05
From: Devil's Fork Gap

To: Sam's Gap
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: snow

We got a shuttle from Uncle Johnnie's to Devil's Fork Gap to start where we left off last Friday. Thank You Hiker Shuttles for your service! We have really appreciated your flexibility and availability to meet our needs these last few days! Our packs were fully loaded and we decided that we would hike as far as our legs would take us. We knew that we had a four mile uphill climb to start the day and we simply "took it easy" and took breaks as needed. When you're off the trail for a few days it takes a little bit to get back into the swing of things! We are hoping to be back up to our 15-20 miles days sometime next week. We aren't at all worried about our pace, but we probably won't make it to "Trail Days" (possibly be there by Sunday). "Trail Days" is an annual festival for hikers in Damascus Virginia that will be taking place all next weekend. There is a parade and numerous festivities. We have heard that many hikers go up to Damascus for the festival and then end their hike. We knew that the weather today was not going to be in our favor. It was supposed to be cold and rainy, so our rain gear was stashed near the top of our packs. We weren't even on the trail 30 minutes when it started to rain. We stopped and put our rain gear on because nothing is more miserable than being cold and wet. It wasn't a heavy rain thankfully. We stayed warm and dry with our gear! Our climb took us to an elevation of about 4500 feet today. The top was called "Frozen Knob". It was very appropriately named, as soon as we got up there it started to snow. It was the first snow flurry we've seen on the trail. Although we were not up there long enough to see if the snow stuck, it sure was beautiful. It was pretty much all down hill after the knob. We continued our trek down to Sam's Gap where we encountered trail magic! It was so unexpected on a Thursday afternoon. We got cookies and sunflower seeds and some very important weather information. The man was telling us that thunder and lightening storms are expected tonight and that we shouldn't go too high up the mountain. He also told us that the temperature was supposed to drop near freezing. That was all we needed to hear! We called Mother Marion, who we found in the conservancy guide and it just so happened that she and her husband had space in their home and could host us for the night. Her husband Frank came to pick us up at Sam's Gap and we were so thankful! When we got to their home we were greeted by Mother Marion with a big hug! She and her husband were so hospitable to us. They made us dinner and we even had cake for dessert! We are so thankful to have found such a wonderful family to help us out when the weather was going to be bad! We stayed in a very comfortable private room in the upstairs of their home. The bed even had two homemade quilts on it to keep us nice and cozy. We had a private bathroom with a nice hot shower as well! I do believe we will stay very comfortable tonight! The family keeps 5 chickens, 3 real dogs, one barking cat (i.e. a yorkie), and 1 real cat. As animal lovers, we fit right in. They fed each real dog a raw egg with their dog food. When you have 5 hens, you have lots of eggs. Apparently, Marian developed some health issues about 15 years ago and has to stay home most of the time. Now she takes care of seniors at her old church in Vermont with a card ministry, paints, quilts, takes in hikers, and has lots of pets for company. Breakfast in the morning of course will involve eggs... We might even slackpack tomorrow so we can stay here again!