Date: 2013-05-22
From: Returning from vacation

To: Top of Brush Mtn
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I awoke at 5:30, got everything packed, & went down for the motel breakfast. I decided to try hitch hiking at the freeway entrance down from the motel. In about 15 minutes, I got a ride with an ecologically-minded woman who wanted to talk about the Trail; so I called Homer to let him know I wouldn't need his wife to pick me up at 7:30. At the park-&-ride, I had a 20-minute wait for the bus.In the previous two times I'd been there, I'd seen them let people off at the far end of the lot, where there is a little paved area to stand off to the side. So that's where I waited. This time, they sent 2 small busses in lieu of one big one ... & they both drove right past me (one driver even waved) & stopped in the center of the lot.As I headed over there, the first one drove off! I managed to get the second driver to open the door so I could ask for a ride. She said she wasn't supposed to take passengers until the first bus was full (even tho she was going to drive the full distance anyway), but actually she seemed happy to have someone to talk to. They really need better markings at that lot for where they pick up passengers, but you'd think when they see someone obviously waiting they'd at least think it might be a potential passenger. I only had to wait a little while in Blacksburg before Brenda, who used to have the Rendezvous Motel in Pearisburg, picked me up & took me to the trail crossing, where I started off at 9:15. When she heard what I'd been doing, she said, "Why didn't you just rent a car & park it at the airport?" I hadn't thought along that line at all -- depending on the price of airport parking & of weekly rentals in Blacksburg, it might not have cost much more, would have been a lot more convenient, & had got me back on theTrail a full day sooner. Live & learn, even at my age! Right away, my legs started telling me, "We're not quite ready for this." I began going up a long hill, thru pasture land, in hot sun & high humidity. It must have rained last night because it was still a little muddy in the woods & other places where the sun hadn't shined yet. Crossing the first stile at the road, I heard voices behind me: it was Tech & Jigsaw, whom I had met just North of Davenport Gap. Soon I was also passed by Mother Theresa, Tags, & Jetlag(from the Smokies). I also met 3 older section hikers: Bonnie, Sometimes Clyde, & Son of Bonnie & Clyde. There was also a younger couple: Mouse (F) & Birthday Boy; her father also with them. Most of the flowers I'd been seeing were fading, especially Trillium & May Apple. Going dowm the mtn, the Mountain Laurels looked ready to bloom. All the trees have leafed out now, even the Walnuts.We went over some hot rocks along a ridge ( with poison ivy!) -- then it started to look like rain. I thought I might get to the next shelter, but I wasn't close enough & ended up walking thru the woods in the rain. It stopped as I got to the shelter, which was packed full, including most of the people i'vementioned plus Home Brew, Lady, & her dog, Maizie. The dog was fascinated & disturbed by the box turtle that appeared to be trying to drink from every puddle near the shelter. As I was cooking my meal, "Just John" came in, describing how scary it was to be up on those rock during the thunderstorm. Some of the hikers had just returned from "Trail Days" in Damascus, which put them almost as far behind as my "vacation" had. Some people were staying, fearing more rain; others were going to the next road crossing & then to a hostel, making use of Brenda, the shuttler I recommended to them. The rest were planning to camp before the next Mtn, so they could tackle it fresh in the morning. As I went on, I saw some tents near a creek & one on the ridge about halfway up. I kept looking for a suitable spot on the way up, & before I knew it I was up on top, where I was able to find a flat spot suitably situated between two trees to hang my tent from. I had a little bit of bright moonlight, but it did rain later. It seemed fitting that I started in March under a full moon & now was returning to the Trail with a full moon too.