Date: 2014-04-22
From: Daleville, VA

To: Daleville to Buena Vista
Miles today: 0.0

After eating a good hot meal, showering, and doing a load of laundry, I left Daleville ready to get back into the swing of hiking. Nails, Longhaul, and I walked 18 miles to get to our intended destination for the day. While they were both feeling great about the terrain and miles, I was struggling to not be a grump! The day felt long and tiring, but ultimately was worth the mental push as I was able to end the day with friends. The next morning, we woke up and got a late start. We had originally intended to walk the ten miles to the Middle Creek Campground and attempt to catch a shuttle to the tip of the mountain and slack pack back the fourteen miles to the campground. However, upon arriving, we discovered that the woman who typically takes care of shuttles was out for the day. Instead we changed our plans and settled for petting the sweet yellow lab named Pippa, enjoyed delicious milkshakes at the camp store, and went for a two hour swim in Jenkins Creek. It was terrific and exactly what I needed! After Nails took the first plunge into the swift cut of the stream, Longhaul and I were soon to follow. Around four thirty, we finally pulled ourselves from the sunny rock in the creek and made our way the last four miles to one of the coolest shelters I've seen on the trail. Bryant Ridge Shelter had multiple levels, windows, and a picnic table under the covered deck. After everyone cooked supper and got their sleeping situations set up, Jolly and Flashlight taught us how to play a complicated but fun dice game called Farkle. The renewed sense of community made the day feel complete, which helped prepared me for the day to follow. The next morning, we hit the trail by 9AM and hiked 12 or so miles over Thunder Ridge Mountain and on to the next shelter. At that point, Nails and Longhaul talked about pushing for a 26 mile day. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to make it the full distance, but I did give it my best shot. I walked the rest of the afternoon, crossed the long footbridge over the James River right before Glasgow and on to the shelter for one of my biggest days on the trail. I was so happy to see Nails that evening and felt ready to do 20 miles into Buena Vista the next day. Unfortunately, Longhaul went into Glasgow for a snack resupply before meeting us at the shelter and moved on up the trail via some yellow blazing. It's strange to know that there are friends I'll make out here that I may very well never see again. Not that this in any way depreciates the value of the friendship, but rather just redefines what makes folks friends. As morning came, Nails and I began our day with a climb up to Bluff Mountain. Around noon, the rain started. We hiked hard despite the weather with the intention of catching a 3:30 shuttle into the hostel in town. The last four miles were nothing short of a total downpour with lightning striking close enough to make the hair on the back of my neck stand up! We made it to the pick-up spot with a few minutes to spare during which time I sat in the grass with two soaking-wet, silly dogs from across the way, getting in all the pup loving I could. Nothing boosts my spirits like the chance to hang with some good ol' puppy dogs! But the best boost was yet to come upon reaching the Blue Dog Art Cafe hostel in Buena Vista!