Date: 2019-03-13
From: Thunder Ridge lookout

To: Bryan Ridge shelter
Miles today: 11.6

I went to bed around 9:15 skipping the rest of the Bachelor. As Brian described it, it was oversold and under delivered. The guys retired about the same time. I closed the door to my bunkroom and remembered that there's toilet in the closet. It's not something you'd use if there were other hikers in the room because it's a closet and you can't close the door to it if you're on the toilet because there's no room for your legs. But I was alone and delighted that I could use it in the middle of the night and not disturb anyone. And so I did. I slept much better and awoke just before my 6am alarm feeling refreshed and excited for the day. I dressed and packed up and joined the guys in the kitchen where I had the last breakfast sandwich I'd bought at the store and some decaf coffee. I was fueled and ready when Lee arrived to shuttle us. Yesterday Adam, the hostel owner, dropped off an SUV for the shuttle drivers. Its far better than the BMW sedan that was in use. Much more room for hikers and packs. The guys were dropped off at route 501/James River footbridge to continue north and we took some pictures together and exchanged contact info so we can follow each other and so I can have the opportunity to help them when they get to NH. Lee dropped me off at Thunder Ridge at just after 9am. The parking lot was buzzing with 15-20 trail maintainers gearing up to head north. We spoke briefly about the big tree I climbed over yesterday and that was in fact today's mission. I thanked them for their hard work and continued on my way south. Just before the turnout to the parking lot I saw a gorgeous owl perched on a limb not far from the road. A beautiful healthy looking owl and it reminded me to stop and look up more often on trail. So I did that as I hiked but I saw nothing interesting in the trees. A couple of nobo hikers passed me, one with earbuds in who nodded as he walked past and one who I talked with very briefly. I felt like I was crawling under the weight of my pack and I was also experiencing shoulder fatigue from it. I adjusted it several times in the first 2 miles, finally stopping at a shelter and taking it off to use the privy. I made some adjustments to have it sit more on my hips when I put it back on and it rode much better. I also took some Advil for the discomfort of my shoulders and feet. I had planned to stop at the next shelter for lunch as it was my halfway point but it was a way off trail and I'd already gone off trail to the black rock overlook so I skipped it and decided on another 1.8 miles to a tent site. When I arrived at the tent site I met Eli and Cassidy out section hiking and I let them know that there was water ahead at the shelter behind me so they didn't have to hike down to the spring they were contemplating. With much relief they hiked on and finding the tent site unappealing I also hiked on until I found a comfortable fallen tree for my lunch break. I crushed my crackers and dumped them into my tuna packet gobbled it up before enjoying some of the leftover Fritos from yesterday. Eli and Cassidy spoke highly of Bryant Ridge shelter and even though I'd hoped to hike 2-3 miles beyond it to a campsite but I was tired and at 3:30 I arrived at the shelter and called it home. I claimed a corner of the first floor and unfolded my tyvek when I saw Brian. Well, the stick figure Brian which he had drawn on the corner of it with a note that says he's right beside me. So I put that corner up by my head and set up my sleeping gear. I was alone at the shelter and had completed all my chores before another hiker wandered in just before 5:30. I had my dinner soaking and had already enjoyed a coffee while observing the sites, sounds and smells of the area when Pack mule made his decision to stay the night and ultimately to sleep in the shelter as well. A nice guy but a bit too chatty for me. I hope he doesn't snore. He's a retired police officer which made me feel a little better until I realized he doesn't hang his food bag. When I mentioned it he said his food is all sealed up and the bears are still hibernating anyway, or so he believes. I'll be asking God for his extra protection tonight.