Date: 2014-06-19
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: Blackburn Trail Center
Miles today: 18.0

Interesting Nite - heat lightning so at 10 I closed the tent flaps. Started with the matterass in my sleeping liner but eventually got in the liner. Awoke at 5:30 to some sprinkles of rain so I decide to break camp early before the rain came. Had breakfast of cheerios told my usual 1 hour to pack up and was on the trail very early at 6:50. Trail was initially flat then entered the area of Virginia called the "roller coaster". 13.5 miles of ups and downs. The ascents were huge in the 200' to 300' foot range but the trail was very rocky with lots of stream crossing. So I could only do about 2 mph.Arrived at Buzzard Hill at 9. Spent an hour calling home and my friend Lee to update things. Passed the shelter since it was a ways off the trail. Arrived at Bear's Den at 12:30. Slow morning. Hostel was open with about 8-10 bunks. Hikers watching movies. Used the computer and got some sodas. Upstairs not open until 5. So no pizza or ice cream. Z and Gigy arrived to inform me I missed trail magic of hamburger at the road crossing at 9:30. The one day I leave very early and miss a late breakfast.Word was that there was lunch or dinner at Blackburn trail center. It started to sprinkle so I debated whether to stay or move on. Bear's Den had internet and pizza and ice cream, Blackburn had dinner. Decided to move on.Left Bear's Den on a different trail so I back tracked a little to do complete trail. There was a look out on this short section. Visited with a family and got my picture taken with the little girls. Z, Gigy, and I hiked together that afternoon. Took our pictures at the 1000 mile rock. Trail was still up and down with rocks. I almost missed the VA/WVA border sign. I was looking down to the left and saw a pile of rocks, so I stopped and on the rt was the sign. Finally the trail got smoother and then descented to the Blackburn Center for 1/4 mile. The Blackburn AT Trail Center is a large house which is used for retreats and rental. It has a large screened porch on 3 sides with benches, chairs, and picnic tables. There is a couple who are caretaker who live above the storage building. Out back is the hiker hostel with 4 bunks. There are also multiple areas for tenting. Lots of section and thru hikers staying for the night. Voodoo, Affirmed, Mega Mind, were all here.I decided to stay on the porch since it seemed cooler. Got a bench and set up my sleeping bag and matteress. Visited with Spud and Snakehunter who started a thru hike a couple of years ago. They are sort of living in St. George, UT. I mentioned I was a racewalker and they said they hiked with a racewalker from Minn. I asked if it was Phil Roughesh and it was. He told me last year that he and his wife section hiked the trail. At dinner we talked about my career since she was a Physical Med doctor who also did wound care.Dinner was at 7 by the Stonebrook Farm. Salad, peas, rice and chicken. Had 2nds and then pie and pastries for desert.Got cool on the porch. Journaled at 9:45. People still on the porch playing music.Today was a mixed bag. Very tough hiking on the roller coaster which other hikers agreed was hard due to the rocks. Great place to stay with good companionship and great food. Well worth continue to this hostel.