Date: 2005-06-06
From: Glasgow, VA

To: Little Irish Creek
Miles today: 14.9

I was up at 7 AM after a good nights sleep. I took a little while to get to sleep because of watching television, but once I did I slept like a rock. This was the first time I sat by myself and channel surfed for over two months. It wasn't that I missed TV, it was that this was my entertainment for the night so, I entertained myself.       I went to the restaurant for breakfast and found a ride out of town (a ten dollar cost). Just as I was about to leave Tal (Cowboy) and Dandylion came in to town so we all sat together for a while. Tal did not want to leave when I did so he stayed to go off to the local Library and use the internet there. I know now, that back then, he was either making arrangements or making the decision to leave the trail at that time. I tried to talk him in to going as far as Harpers Ferry by telling him at least he can say he went half way (Hikers refer Harpers Ferry as the half way point, even though it really isn't). The ride I lined up couldn't wait any longer so I wound up walking a bit before I was picked up.    A young man by the name of Tracy gave me a ride back to the trail head. He was working in the area as a home packer. Someone who comes to your home, not to pack the boxes but to disassemble things. He took apart the beds, the stereos and all the other miscellaneous moving hassle things. I liked asking folks what they did for a living. I figured you never know what I will be doing for work in the future, perhaps I could get an idea along the trail.   I arrived at the trail head at 9:45. It was a late start for me but I didn't mind. The weather was getting hot and I picked a spot up the trail a bit where I decided to stop for the "Heat of the Day" break. Fullers Rocks was about a 1700 foot climb out of town that looked over the James River. By the time I got there it was hot. I tied up my bear rope and hung my sweat covered clothes out to dry. I had a few beers with me from the night before and took about a two hour break. I wrapped them in my fleece coat which proved to keep them nice and cool. A number of other hikers soon joined me and we all enjoyed the sun and when needed, the shade.   Bluff Mountain was the big mountain of the day at 3372 feet. I did that in the cool of the afternoon with no problems. I mention this because there was a memorial placed there, where they found the body of Ottie Cline Powell. He died over 100 years ago and was only 4 years and 11 months old. He was lost and traveled many miles from his school house during a blizzard. Sad to think of someone that young being out there all alone. Many hikers left a small token at the site (coins or rocks). Some left stuffed animals and I even saw where a hiker left the Frisbee he carried.   That night I ended up at the "Little Irish Creek" suspension bridge. Cowboy, Dandylion, Live Strong and Paparazzi were there as well. That night some locals came by and at first, did not see our tents there on the opposite shore. I remember one saying that this was part of the Appalachian Trail and maybe they should train up and do it together. The other responded by saying, "train up? why? Its only walking", The next morning we all had a laugh at that one. They urinated off the bridge, finally saw our tents and evidently were surprised because they went running to their vehicle.    The next morning a woman came to us as we were about to leave and said we were on private property. It wasn't posted so we said we were sorry. She said, "well I just wanted to let you know". O.k. I said to myself, the next time I am in the area I won't stay here (it must be something in the water).