Date: 2005-05-31
From: US 501, Va. 130 (Glasgow, VA)

To: Campsite before Pedlar Lake Road
Miles today: 17.0

Beds are always a good thing! We woke this morning around 6:30. Bug went down the road to wash the laundry and I stayed behind to pack our things. I managed to get one more shower before check-out time and we hopped on over to the Mom and Pop's restaurant for breakfast. As usual, I was able to out-eat both Bug and Clean.We waddled out of the restaurant and over to the P.O. We weren't sure if we had anything coming to Glasgow or not, but thought it would be best to check. There, we recieved the rudest service ever! Typically, a hiker might pay extra for priority mail so that they may "bump" a package that might or might not be needed, as was the case with Bug's boots. We asked the clerk if there were any packages for either of us. He promptly walks 5' picks up a box which we recognized to be the boots, and sets it on the counter. The only thing we did was look at it...we did not touch it, we did not open it. All we did was inform him that the box was not needed and to please forward or "bounce" it to Waynesboro (which we have done on many occasions with no problems). He was quick to tell us that Oh no! We can't bounce it, because it has been delivered! I'm sorry, but I just don't understand how that guy walking 5' to pick up a box that we haven't even touched constitutes delivery. ! Bug called Wingfoot and talked to him about it and we are a little calmed down now. He gave us some pointers to avoid that situation in the future.It was noon before we arrived back on the trail, and at the trailhead we spoke to a lovely couple from Scotland. They had been vacationing in the D.C. area and were taking some time to drive around and see the countryside.About 1.7 miles in, we stopped for a snack break and to sign the register at Johns Hollow shelter. It was a beautiful setting in a valley with pine forest and creek running through it. Chef Boyardee and LoJack arrived; we visited with them briefly and set out to climb the big mountain ahead.We had exquisite views back towards the James River as we reached the top of the mountain. Mr. Clean has again been having blister problems. He just can't seem to shake them. He had gotten ahead a little bit, but we were quick to catch him sitting on a rock with his shoes off.We hiked on to Bluff Mountain, where the Ottie Cline Powell Memorial sits. It reads, "This is the exact spot little Ottie Powell's body was found April 5, 1891, after straying from Tower Hill School House November 9. A distance of 7 miles.Age 4 years, 11 months."Supposedly, he was out with schoolmates collecting firewood when he wandered off never to return. Legend has it that he haunts the nearby shelter and walks the woods at night.Needless to say, we decided to bypass the shelter. It also helped in our decision that it was .6 miles off the trail. We hiked across the Blue Ridge Parkway (again), and met Mr. Sweepers with his girlfriend at the gravel road crossing. They had some of the best trail magic. All trail magic is good, but they had FRESH strawberries and cold drinks!Bug and I grabbed a drink and extra strawberries for Mr. Clean since we didn't know if he would catch them. As it turns out, he had. But it worked out well, because Clockwork Orange did miss them, and we were able to share with him. He is a nice fellow and we all had dinner there at the road. Around 8:45 we hiked out. We had made plans to camp at the river, and knew we would have to do some night-hiking to make it there. What we didn't anticipate was the number of uphills we would have on our way there.That's ok, we were treated to a gorgeous sunset with hues of pink, orange, and purple, framed by blooming mountain laurel! What a sight! We quickly snapped some pictures and headed on our way since dusk was fast upon us.For the next few miles, I was the lucky one who got to lead our motley crew, since Bug and Mr. Clean had refused to pull out their headlamps. We probably would have made better time, but I had to continually turn to warn of upcoming rocks and roots.Once we arrived at the river, we were unable to spot any obvious campsites, and this Priss was getting tired and anxious to be at camp. None of us wanted to keep walking, but we didn't seem to have a choice. Bug and Mr. Clean Jr. pulled out their headlamps before we started walking again. Shortly after passing the creek we thought we would be camping near, we passed Clockwork Orange. He was all set up in his hammock, and that setup has never looked so good. Quick & easy, strung up between two trees, and no level ground needed.There were reflector dots placed on the trees a little further and what looked to be level ground. The perfect place to set up camp at 10 o'clock at night. The mistake we made was to let Mr. Clean in the lead. He really began to take to this whole night-hiking thing, and insisted that we keep hiking. He assured me that he knew there would be a flat spot just ahead and that it would be perfect. All we had to do was hike until 10:30. Ten-thirty came and went, and we were still hiking steep mountains with straight ups and downs on either side of us. Finally, at 11:45 we arrived at a stream where there was space enough to set up our tents. I barely had enough energy to write as much as I did, so I am going to crash now!