Date: 2009-02-22
From: Chestnut Ridge (3700') Entry#2

To: Ceres (2800')
Miles today: 8.0

Fraser FirAppalachian TrailSection HikeGeorgia to Maine02-22-2009 Chestnut Ridge to CeresIt was as though I knew before I went to sleep that if it got really nasty, that I would come down to civilization and re-evaluate.A few years ago, I read an incredible story about Ed Visteurs. Ed was the first person to climb all of the world¢s tallest peaks without oxygen supplication. The book was published by National Geographic and the detail and pictures were amazing.My section hike of the Appalachian Trail is in no way a comparison of the feats accomplished by this man. However, I was amazed with his complete humility for what the Himalayans had to offer. I was also very impressed with the fact that he had no problem turning around if things were not going the way that he had intended.Honestly, I have to ask myself, ¢What would you intend on an exposed ridge in Virginia? It is February 22. What result could you anticipate at elevations above 4,000 feet?¢If my answer was a warm sunny day, I would be quite foolish.However, this does not take away from the fact that the risk in this case may be bigger than the reward. I have hiked in snow before, but not with this weight. For now, I am simply going to head south on the AT and get to Forest Road 222/625. Also known as Poor Valley Road.It is painful to turn south. I only want to go North. The snow is blowing sideways and the trail is covered. The contour lines and white blazes keep me headed toward the gap at Poor Valley Road.I go to the creek and filter water and contemplate my next move.I start walking east towards the town of Ceres. It is around eight miles away. The walk is actually quite amazing. Along with a series of ups and downs, I find myself in a beautiful hemlock forest with snowflakes grasping to the tree branches.   The snow continues to come down and I feel very fortunate that my feet are still dry.On this hike, I find myself using moleskin for the very first time. It has assisted immensely with the impact on frozen ground.Hiking on the frozen forest floor is unlike anything that I have ever hiked on. The impact on the feet is quite painful after ten to twelve hours. The moleskin has facilitated my duct tape in preventing any major hot spots.The road changes direction and heads into what I believe to be civilization. What I find interesting is that as I near some of these cottages or homes, they are almost 100% vacant. I discover later that most of these are vacation homes and most of the folks have long cleared out for the winter.Almost every house has a no trespassing and no hunting sign posted on the property. In some cases, there are more than one sign on the property. These folks do not play around.It is absolutely beautiful out here. I enter a clearing and it reminds me of Cades Cove. In the background is Chestnut Ridge, and the valley below with mountain houses and barns everywhere. The entire area is blanketed in a late winter snow. The scene is like something out of a Norman Rockwell Magazine. As I continue, I take pictures of the entire area. It is breath taking to see the sights and sounds of the mountains in this season of rest and hibernation. There are several ups on the walk towards Highway 42 and Ceres. One would assume that it might be all downhill, however, it was almost as much up as it was down. As I climb over the last pass, before descending into Ceres, the forest opens up and reveals a beautiful valley, a small town and the Tennessee Valley Divide as the back drop. It is almost lunch time and I am hoping that the store is open. It is Sunday and it could be closed.I may try to road walk into Bland, although the snow is just dumping out of the sky. I could try and find somewhere to take shelter for the night, such as an old barn or I could try and get out all together. As I draw closer to Hwy 42, dogs are barking everywhere. Some folks walk out to see what is going on. I do not feel welcome. That is for me to deal with. I can understand.As I get up to the crossroad, the store is not only closed, it is abandoned. It has probably been closed for quite some time.I would love to get to a telephone. I walk by a young man¢s house and wave him down. I attempt to talk over his dogs. They are barking at me so loud that I have to scream over them.¢Sir, I am a hiker. I have a calling card and was wondering if I could use your telephone.¢I thought that maybe I could call Brenda for a shuttle to Bland and hike this section later.Possibly get a room in Bland.The young man would not allow me to use his phone.I noticed on the AT strip map that the town may have a post office. A great place to take shelter in the snow storm and they could possibly have a pay phone.I asked him if he knew where the post office was and he just pointed east and then closed the door. I was not sure if the Post Office was one mile away or ten miles away.My next move was to start putting a thumb out.A VDOT truck (Virginia Department of Transportation Truck) drove by with his snow shovel down. He kept on going. He could probably get fired for picking me up.I kept on walking and every now and then would encounter a vehicle and no one would stop.Hitching is very humbling¢but persistence pays off!! I just know that I can find someone that will let me jump into the back of a pickup. It is just a matter of time and prayer.I walk upon the Post Office. I know the answer before I pull on the door. It is locked.I was hoping for shelter from the snow. In fact, there is a no trespassing sign displayed, so even if I could get in, I would not be able to stay.I will keep walking toward Bland. It is very cold and the snow is mounting. Either way, this is still fun. This is what it is all about. If things always went the way that we wanted, it would be so dull and so predictable.