Date: 2004-05-20
From: Four Pines Hostel

To: Four Pines Hostel, Catawba, Virginia
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: scattered clouds

May 19th and 20 Four Pines Hostel, TwiceTotal miles: 688.4 on Wed and 694.3 to Catawba on Thur. Hiked 15.9 on Wed over the most difficult terrain in Virginia in a thunderstorm. What a kick! The rocks at Dragon's Tooth are the most difficult I've ever climbed. I was glad to get back down from there without injury.This Hostel is actually a three-car garage. In here with Heat Miser, Kaalogii, and Spot. Heat Miser is from Connecticut, Kaalogii means butterfly in Navaho, and Spot is thru-hiking for the 5th time this year. Yes 5 times.Heat Miser was saying, "Who would ever think we would be so glad to sleep in some one's garage." Accommodations are sparse but adequate. Spot fixed pancakes for breakfast and we filtered espresso coffee thru paper towels to make coffee. We have been talking about trail food, tips and tricks. I may make some changes since its getting warmer. Spot says getting an early start is important in warm weather. Also He suggests avoiding meals that require cooking in the morning - it tends to delay a good early start. And several people also hike a while before eating. Out here fat and calories are good and so is caffeine. I might even try to get some of those chocolate-covered coffee beans. But the most basic discovery is Nutella. Ever heard of it? Its a hazelnut spread that's good on everything. And another thing - those plastic jars for peanut butter, etc. are not that heavy. I'll get some and use the Nutella to spread on bread. Some people actually carry small loaves of bread. Spot says get the most nutritious bread you can find.There are so many other things I just can not tell it all. Great experience. Cell phone reception is so spotty in the valleys. I could not call home last night. Will leave in a little while and get on to Catawba, Va. Its only 5.9 miles. Plan to eat lunch in town and get mail drop then head out to one of the AT shelters on the other side.Wow! Much better than that. Got food drop from Mary Ann at the B&B and had time to get to the Post Office before closing. Sent home some winter clothes and photo card. Thanks Mary Ann for packing all the stuff I needed.Walked to the famous AYCE Home Place Restaurant where I found several hikers and joined them for a fabulous dinner of Fried chicken, Virginia Ham, Roast beef, pork barbeque, cold slaw, green beans, mashed potatoes & gravy, stewed apples, apple butter, pinto beans, lemonade, tea, Pepsi, and finally peach cobbler with ice cream. Got free shuttle back to Four Pines Hostel where I spent night yesterday. In the morning (Fri) will get another ride back to the trailhead where I left to go to Catawba. This arrangement cost me about 2 - 4 miles that I would have hiked (but would have been in the dark again). This is a better arrangement. And I will get a good start in the morning. Plan to go only about 10 miles to a camp site on Friday then 10 more next day to get to outfitter in Daleville. Last nite we had 4 people here and tonight we have about 20. Again, its a collection of people who have hiked together over the past several weeks. What a deal.