Date: 2010-05-27
From: Trout Creek

To: Lamberts Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 24.3
Weather: scattered clouds

"Why wilderness? Because we like the taste of freedom; because we like the smell of danger."   ~ Edward AbbeyMay 27, 2010 ¢ Day 52 - ThursdayToday was going to be one of those days that would become a legendary day in my hiking world.The camp on Trout Creek slowly grew as hikers were coming down off the mountain. Our group, Sherpa, Dragon Tail, Avatar, Timber and I, setup our tents in a circle like an old wagon train at the end of the day. By nightfall 5 tents turned into 12. It looked like a field of mushrooms by the side of the road. Hikers heard through trail mail of a dinner buffet at Home Place in Catawba, Va. So, being the hungry hikers we are, they were slowing down their mileage for the feast. I let the hikers in my group know what to expect for the day. Besides the Home Place we would hike to Dragons Tooth, a stone monolith, and then McAfee Knob, the most photographed rock where hikers sit upon on the Appalachian Trail. Finally, Tinkers Cliffs, a series of cliffs that the AT travels over very close to the edge.The morning hike went up and through boulder and rock field. A side trail leading to Dragon¢s Tooth was located at the top of the mountain. Standing at the base of the monolith, the elongated rock formation protrudes out of the ground and slants to one side. The rock resembles a very large incisor tooth from a distance. We climbed the backside of Dragon¢s Tooth and took pictures of our feat.The afternoon took me to Catawba. The trail crossed an intersection I remembered in '04. I told everyone I would go to a store nearby and get cold cokes for our push to Home Place. Refreshed I continued on to Va 311 and the Catawba General store. I made plans to meet Mike Guzo, a close friend and his family at the store and proceed to dinner. Just as we came off the mountain Mike's brother Steve pulled into the parking lot and gave us a ride to the restaurant.Home Place was everything good I heard about and more. We sat at the table and the buffet is brought to you: Fried chicken, BBQ pork, roast beef, vegetables and cherry cobbler and ice cream. I sat with Mike, his wife Molly, his children Reilly, Silas and his brother Steve. A lot of thru hikers started trickling in throughout our meal. Thanks for a great meal Guzo's!Several of the hikers, including me, decided to continue hiking the AT after dinner to watch the sunset at McAfee Knob. The trail up to the knob was relocated and made for an easy hike up. McAfee Knob was beautiful. The sun's location was perfect for photo opportunities either standing or sitting on the edge. I flew my Pokey Man kite on top of the knob with the hikers cheering in the background. There was a gorgeous sunset of orange colors blanketing the western sky. Avatar, Timber, Dragon Tail, Sherpa and I decided to night hike past Tinker Cliffs to get closer to Daleville, Va. We decided to do this for two reasons. One, a nasty weather front was expected the next day and two, it would give us a nero day in Daleville.The night was spectacular. The five of us looked like a train going up the mountain with our lights on. I was in the lead flashing my headlamp to and fro like the light of a locomotive engine piercing through the night.We stopped on a rock ledge to watch an awesome display of nature. The full moon was rising giving off a soft golden glow. A lightning storm was throwing orange sky-to-ground bolts over the mountains in the background.We crossed over Tinker cliffs and looked down into the darkness to our left. Everyone hugged the trail to our right. Tired, and with sore feet, we made the shelter at midnight hoping it was empty. The shelter was void of hikers and was quickly filled with tired hikers who experienced an epic day on the trail.If not now, then when? Krispykritter 2010 GaMe