Date: 2017-10-01
To: Mountain Pass Road
Miles today: 66.0

Usually I blog each day separately but the four days back in Virginia seem to blend together.  I was hiking virtually alone most of each day and there were few significant landmarks or happenings along the trail so I'm just going to blend them all together into one post.I walked northbound one day because I hoped to meet some southbound through hikers and walked southbound three days because the trail was easier that day.  Two things  stood out as I hiked.  the first is that the springs, creeks and rivers that were full of water back in the Spring time are almost empty now.  It seemed to me, compared to what I had experienced in the area back in May, that water was not available.  There were few places where water flowed at all and most water was only available in standing pools. Having never had that experience it was a little scary to me that water was so scarce.  I did talk to a couple of southbound through hikers and they seemed t think it was pretty normal and didn't seem bothered by it at all.The second thing I noticed is that the hiking is very lonely.  On the day I hiked north I saw eight southbound through hikers, very spread out and all seeming to be walking alone.  One hiker told me that she had camped alone for the last three nights - something that seems never to happen with the northbound group. On the days I walked south I saw only two other through hikers and few day hikers.I walked past the guillotine - a scary rock formation that required you to walk under a large boulder held aloft by two other bigger boulders.  And I walked across the james River footbridge, the longest foot path only bridge on the Appalachian Trail. I also saw Bobblets Gap Shelter, certainly one of the nicer shelters on the trail.  It's a little like a chalet with a windowed loft and plenty of space for many hikers.  It's built in an L shape which is unique among all the shelters I saw. And I passed a northbound hiker wearing nothing but his tighty whiteys below the waist.  He didn't stop to explain and I didn't chase after him to hear the story!I finished the hike on day four walking 19.6 miles to Mountain Pass Road, just north of Daleville.  It was farther than I had to walk but it was the only road crossing Linda could get to so I walked the extra miles.  the great weather continued for the four days and I've now gone more than three weeks with no rain and blue skied every day and I'm certainly grateful that I could finish like that.After school detention is over now and so is the trail.  I hiked the 2190.3 miles (with a few extra thrown in for good measure) and I have to say it is the most physically and emotionally challenging thing I've ever done.  I'm glad it"s over, my legs, feet, ankles and knees will thank me, but there are things and people I will think abut often and for the rest of my life.I couldn't have done the hike without the three other guys I finished with.  Their support,encouragement, and friendship made the walk all the easier.  I have to thank Foggy, chilli Dog and Barrel for letting me tag along.  They each brought their gifts - Foggy, who at most decisions someone would say what does Foggy think, whose commitment to every blaze, every mile and every step is a role model for us all; Chilli Dog, the southern charmer always quick with a tip or some other help who talked us into more fun experiences than we deserved; and Barrel, our young companion, quick to entertain with his good nature, quick smile and endless knowledge of the 80's.  I will remember these guys for the rest of my life.I'll conclude by stealing and sharing a bit of wisdom from Foggy.  At one point he said that the journey starts out to be about the trail. At some point it's not about the trail. Instead it's about all the people you meet, all the places you visit and all the experiences you have.  The trail just becomes that path that gets you from one place to another but it's the places that make the experience.  I think he's right.Countless times people along the trail asked me what was the best part of the trail.  There isn't a best part because every place is unique but all the people I met and places i saw made the trip worthwhile. It was a hard journey but worth every step and I'm still wondering a bit whether the trail will call me back sometime soon.  Who knows!