Date: 2008-06-09
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: James River.
Miles today: 14.4

Another early start to beat the heat. Packed, fed and moving at 06:50 a.m.The temperature has exceeded 100 degrees. Fortunately, the hike today had plenty of switchbacks with comfortable grades. Welcome anytime, but especially today. The views were excellant as well.After 12 miles, I reached Matts Creek Shelter where I had lunch. My dog's were burning so I soaked my feet in the creek while I ate lunch. Today, there was a 5 ft. Rat snake stretched alongside the trail. I have been seeing snakes more frequently now.Closer to the river the trail flattened out and became a leisure walk. Freckles was just ahead and suddenly the unmistakeable sound of a rattler stopped her in her tracks. It was a relatively small one at 3-1/2 ft. This was here first rattler she had ever seen. I pointed out it's body language and assurred her he was just warning her. A rattler really doesn't want to waste it's venom on something it can't eat. Even in a defensive strike, it's likely no venom will be released. However, that doesn't mean go ahead and play with them. Still, that put her & Sprite on edge as neither of them like snakes at all.The James river is pretty wide. The .2 mile footbridge was impressive, it is the longest foot bridge on the AT. There were some local kids jumping from the bridge into the water. It looked very tempting. I thought about jumping in atleast once, but it being so hot, I had a thirst that needed to be quenched.Warm water wasn't cutting it.Once on the other side, it was still about 9 miles to Glasgow. A hitch was looking pretty slim. But good fortune on the AT always delivers. Some teenagers pulled up in a pickup to go swimming. Sprite asked the driver "Justin" if he would drive us in? I piped up and said I would buy them some B-,er Gatorade, yeah that's it, Gatorade?Being a good sport, Justin had us pile in the back and away we went. He actually didn't want anything for his trouble but he was convinced otherwise. Thanks Justin, you're a real life saver.We hung out in the deli/ gas station for an hour enjoying the AC. Next, we hit the laundromat. It was 100 degrees outside and probably another 20 inside. I took a sink bath in the wash room. Once the clothes were taken care of it was time for re-supply and cold beer. We returned and sat outside the laundromat in the shade. The liquid libations seem to evaporate before it made it to the back of my throat. It's funny how cravings kick up? Usually, I don't drink much beer, but lately, it seems to be the first cold thing I want to drink.We made phone calls, one in particular was to Zeke. She was behind us as she had some medical issues to address back in Damascus. We just wanted to know her status and let her know she is thought about? Speedy recovery Zeke!After a couple of hours we headed back to the deli/gas station. We picked up sandwhiches, chips and dinner. Still scorching, and several miles back to the trailhead, Sprite went right up to a guy who was pumping his gas and asked for a ride. How could he say no? Sprite can be very persuasive.The guy was a local named Earl Austin, we helped with his gas $$, loaded up and away we went. I was in the back enjoying the breeze. Sprite gave Earl an education about the AT. He has lived here many years, seen people with backpacks, but never knew about the AT? Now he does, and will probably be picking up hikers in the future. Thanks again Earl.Not chancing looking for a spot further north today, we decided to go back across the foot bridge to where we saw a clearing by the river.We pitched our tents, ate and tried to sleep. It was so hot and muggy, I just laid still and was still sweating.Trains seem to run all night. There was a trustle that ran along the river as well. I was awake many times throughout the night, or was it, I napped a few times during the night, it's hard to tell? The air was stifling, the bug bites itched so bad, it was only until they started bleeding that there was any kind of relief. And it is a good thing, that I like hearing trains in the night. There were a lot. ****************** TO BE CONTINUED *****************************