Date: 2004-06-23
From: Pearisburg

To: the old oak tree
Miles today: 12.4

Screw today, let me tell you about yesterday.We woke up to heavy rain coming down, and we laughed, laughed, laughed.Why?Cuz we were taking a Zero.Okay, we had all these grand aspirations to make it to Harper's Ferry by the 15th of July. It sounded utterly doable if we kept up a minimum of 16 mile days with no breaks til hitting H.F.Problem was, Moxie's shoes were having problems maintaining their structural integrity. And my boots were suffering too. And we'd both begun to fantasize about cutting down our pack weight.It was obvious that a trip to the outfitters was in order. The closest one to Pearisburg is Blacksburg: a 25 mile journey away. And we weren't gonna hitch in the rain, so, strategically it seemed necessary to call Pearisburg a home for another night.And who wouldn't want to, anyway?Afterall, this is a town that uses an air raid siren to call the volunteer fire fighters down to the station! And the D.Q. has a bacon and eggs breakfast special for $2.So, as Moxie reposed, I trudged through the rain to get us some coffee and D.Q. breakfasts. After eating, we arranged to get a shuttle to yon 25 mile away land of outfitters.. . . . . Bill - a nice, if gruff, old fellow who works at the hostel, came by to pick us up. He told us what the fares would be, and off we went.As we made our way down the rainy highways, Bill relayed some local stories for us. Like how a bear had recently wandered into the hospital. And he told us about the hostel and of some of the people who've blown through there.Then it was soon time to get more gear. And get more gear we did.Moxie got some tougher hiking shoes, and a sweet 2 lb pack. And I got some new hiking boots (an amazing size 13 is what felt right), a summer sleeping bag, and a 3 lb pack - half the weight of my old one.Simple words can not explain the joy you feel as a hiker to radically trim back on the weight you're going to be carrying.Other stuff happened on that date. Like, we ate at the awesome little sports bar attached to the motel - an all you can eat spaghetti feast. And we did laundry.But the important stuff you've already read about --- the light, new gear.. . . . . . So, back to today.Cheap DQ breakfast. Picked up some trail grub at the grocery store. Post office visits (to send back the old heavy gear).And at the post office (moxie is pinch-hitting now) we boxed up our smelly packs (sorry Dad and Gracie!) and sent them back. A kind old gentleman followed us into the post office and said, "They call me Melvin the trail angel. Do you want a ride back up the hill?" He waited patiently while we finished up and stowed us in his taurus. He showed us his register and his pictures of thru hikers over the years who sent him their Katadyn shots, and pictures of him arm and arm with many a scruffy looking individual. He was a riot.Back on the trail, we scooted up 1500 feet to the ridge on which we now reside. The climbing felt like we were just getting into town instead of leaving it, and the difference here is that big bag of food. I can't wait to see how it feels on the way into Catawba.Once we got up the ridge, the hiking was gentle and easy. We stopped in at the Pine Ridge shelter for some supper, and I made another butterfly friend. I can just pick 'em up now, it's amazing. We walked on to the campsite we planned to stay at, passing Bambi (I didn't get a look at his face , but I swear it was him) and a little tortoise who was lazing on the trail. Lo and behold, Sparepocket was at the campsite, and had built a fire too! We had a great evening and a killer sunset. Fireflies, the whole bit. Nature went all out today!Goodnight!- Jonathon~with the help of his cunning assistant Moxie