Date: 2015-10-18
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: clear sky

Treadway: 3/10Weather: Sunny and cold 1/10Stats:7.81 miles2:39:173.0 miles per hour 640 c1020 feet up2667 feet down 23991 stepsNarrative:Up at 6:45 am, on the trail at 7 am. I was confused about the new rerouted trail and the old trail to Pearisburg. I thought that the new trail followed the ridge line, but I was wrong, it was the other way around. I just followed the white blazes and away I went. About 1.5 miles into the hike, I stopped to drink my breakfast and shedded my rain gear and lower thermals. About 2.25 miles into the hike I did my third superman after tripping over a tiny stump in the middle of the trail which practically was invisible with my eyes in the sun. Fortunately, I landed on smooth trail with no injuries. A little after that, I stopped to shed my puffy jacket and sweater. The rest of the way into town was easy except for the .7 from the bridge into town, past the cemetery, which was poorly maintained and overgrown. I really despise hiking at low altitude where everything grows all over the place and gets in the way. As I entered town, I ran into Spark, who was moving on after staying at the hostel. He said he was feeling fine, and seemed to be in good spirits. When I arrived at the Holiday Lodge, I was distressed to learn that my resupply box was not there. Now I have to go to the post office tomorrow to get that straightened out. The hotel checked me into a "nonsmoking" room which smelled like an ashtray. I went back to the office and demanded another room and was told I would have to wait for housecleaning to do its thing. Fine. I went to the Hardee's across the street for a thoroughly unmemorable lunch and waited. And now, a rant. I don't know if this is an AT thing or an East Coast thing, but everyone smokes around here, both off and on the trail, and it is absolutely disgusting. I am so annoyed by all the second hand smoke I have inhaled on this trip. Enough! This was the third motel I've stayed at where I had to ask for another room after the first room smelled like an ashtray. The first was that crappy motel with condom machines galore I stayed at in New Jersey after the heavy rain, and the second was the HoJo in Daleville. Ugh!After I checked into my new room, I did my laundry and tried to figure out what was wrong with my sleeping pad. After inflating it, I could not detect any hole or loose seam or other defect creating air loss. Nevertheless, it started losing air, although slowly enough that I decided I could survive with it through Damascus. So I called REI and ordered a replacement to be shipped to me there. After my laundry was done, I did my stretches. My body felt great throughout, a good sign that I'm holding up at this stage of the journey. I went to the Rite Aid and bought some headphones so I can start listening to music while hiking. Across the street was the Giles County Courthouse, with a statue in front in honor of all the Confederate Heros who fell during the Civil War (see photo). It's fascinating to be in the south. Sometimes it feels almost like another country. Then I made one of my better decisions on this trip by going to La Barranca across the street for dinner. I enjoyed a Grande Burrito, chicken enchiladas with rice, and the best margarita I have ever had in my entire life.