Date: 2011-05-08
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: John's Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: broken clouds

Well it is official; the trail is tougher than my legs are. It rained until about 6:30 this morning, so I wasn¢t out as early as I wanted, but I was determined to make the 20 miles to Glasgow, get re-supplied and back on the trail. The day was going pretty good, the rain had stopped, it was clearing up pretty quickly, and I even found cell phone reception to call my mom since it is mother¢s day. The trail flirted with the Blue Ridge Parkway all morning, with several overlooks, and as the sun came out more the birds were out in full force. I had trouble making good time because I kept stopping to try to identify birds. The trail is also alive with a multitude of wild flowers, including pink, purple, and white trillium (of which I have many pictures). The sides of the trail are lined with little purple violets, and numerous yellow, white, and pink flowers that I can¢t identify. I think now that the other bush that is in bloom, and all pink, is an Azalea. At times, with all the birds and flowers I find myself humming Zippity Doo Dah, because it really is a ¢wonderful¢ day. I never could get a bluebird on my shoulder though. That wonderful day feeling changed shortly before lunch when I noticed my left ankle hurt a little, I thought my boot was too tight, later it was getting worse and I remembered this is how the shin splints in my right leg started. I was so angry I tried to walk easy, taking short strides on the down hills. My left ankle/leg continued to get worse all day. By the end of the day if I stopped for a few minutes it would tighten right up. I pushed on to the road, determined to make my goal. Once I crossed the James River, on the longest foot traffic only bridge on the AT, I needed to find a ride to Glasgow for re-supply. I tried hitching, but didn¢t have much luck. Finally a woman pulled up and dropped off ¢One Grey Wolf¢ and offered to take me to town. She said the store in Glasgow had closed so she said a town in the other direction was better, and ¢One Grey Wolf¢ agreed. So off I went. When we arrived in the town I found a very small store, with little for re-supply. I¢m going to be eating mostly Ramen Noodles with Spam, or deviled ham, on hot dog rolls. They did have a nice restaurant there, and I got a pulled pork sandwich with fries, and a piece of chocolate cream pie. About the time I got my food I saw ¢Chainsaw¢ pass by the window. He came in and related how some people had given him a ride to the same town when he thought he was going to Glasgow. They also claimed this town was better. When we were finished eating we tried to find a ride back to the trail with no luck. Eventually we offered to put $5 a piece into a guy¢s gas tank for a ride back to the trail, this worked, proof that money talks. Later on at the shelter we talked to One Grey Wolf about his experience and he was disappointed when he went to Glasgow because he could re-supply at the Dollar General, but couldn¢t find something to eat. He apparently didn¢t need to re-supply much, but didn¢t eat lunch and was hungry. Chainsaw and I on the other hand, needed to re-supply for the next 4 days and the meal was secondary, so the Dollar General would have been great. Just another adventure ¢ live and learn. There is a stream right next to the campsite where I can soak my ankle, hopefully it won¢t get too bad, and I can nurse it along until Waynesboro where I can really rest it. Unfortunately, the next 4 days promise some huge ups and downs. Stay tuned!