Date: 2016-04-06
From: Partnership Shelter 

To: The Barn Restaurant, VA 11
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I got just about the best night of sleep that I've had on the trail last night. Trying not to wake the other couple of hikers still sleeping in the loft, I descended the scary vertical ladder with my food bag and began snacking. Rain Man, Frost and Dr. Trails were already up. They decided (as I suggested last night) that the best way to resupply was actually to take Marion public transit right here from the Visitor Center and then head back out and do a half day. That seemed to be the plan for everyone, and they made ready for the 9 am shuttle. This southern part of Virginia is very simply split into three big chunks in terms of resupply: Damascus to Marion, Marion to Pearisburg, Pearisburg to Troutville, all between 75-90 miles. I think I was the only one actually heading out. Everyone seemed to be in a good mood this morning. The weather was pretty, the thought of town fresh on the mind, and at least Dr. Trails had leftover pizza. I headed out just before 9. I don't know whether I'll catch these folks again. I bet I'll catch Polar Bear and Babbit. But it's questionable for the others. I would like to run into Frost and Rain Man at least for a few days. The trail sort of gets confused here in southern Virginia. The geological Blue Ridge mountains fade into foothills to the southeast, and the AT starts hopping through the ridge-and-valley type formations that wind up on the VA/WV border and which will be all we'll hike along through PA. But today, the AT passed along some even smaller ridges that barely register on topo maps. The climbs ranged from very gentle to straight up the side of the ridge (in the case of Glade Mountain), but I only had 12 miles to do, and soon I found myself descending through the rhododendron forest and then the pastures surrounding Atkins, VA. At the last real road crossing before Atkins, I noticed in the guide that there was a museum about the early settlers of this area. But a little sign also said "Trail Magic in School." As I passed the road, I noticed a one-room schoolhouse building on my left, and decided to check it out. There was a sign on the door welcoming hikers, and I stepped inside the rectangular room filled with 19th century chair-desk hybrids, with a wood stove, and behind the door, more trail magic than I've seen the entire trip. There were coolers full of drinks and plastic tubs of snacks, as well as a giant bin filled with gear, first aid products, toilet paper, everything hikers need, really. I happily helped myself to a Mountain Dew and a honeybun and signed the register they had out on a desk. Then I headed back out through the pastures of southern Virginia, making the last few miles before my pickup. I watched a train pass far down below and descended to the tracks. The trail decided to switchback far more than was really necessary through these fields. I could've I moved back and forth more than parallel to the interstate than towards it. Looking at my map, it's pretty close. Finally, the meadow gave way to gravel and pavement, and in view of I-81 and some factories, I began a short road walk. I have a habit of touching the first blazes at side trails and road crossings so I don't "miss" any part of the trail, and I made sure to cover my tracks, finally touching a blazed stop sign just short of the interstate before turning around to go find some lunch. I was immediately met by two other thru hikers, Double Dip and Dirtface, whose entries I've seen for quite a while. From their names I wasn't expecting them to be girls (most girls on the trail end up picking nature-y or cute sounding names) but they are about my age or a little younger, and had just finished resupply and we're heading back off. I wished them luck. Maybe I'll see them again. For the moment I walked the hundred yards to The Barn, a restaurant right next to the AT crossing. The Barn was not what I was expecting. You know those linoleum-floored rooms in the backs of churches with just a few chairs and empty buffet tables where they occasionally hold spaghetti dinners for benefits? That's what the Barn looks like. But they made me a pretty darn good burger with bacon, onions, mushrooms, Swiss and bbq sauce. I had arrived just before 1 and Martha responded that she would be there around 2:30, so I took my time, charging my phone, uploading photos and telling my parents I was safe. Eventually I paid up and headed out to sit in the sun and wait for Martha. It wasn't more than about 10 minutes before a car pulled up and she hopped out, ready to drive me to the airport! I was still somewhat in disbelief that this was working, but loaded my pack into her car and headed off down the highway. The drive was very pleasant as we head through the valleys of Southern Virginia. Martha says she was grateful for the time out of the house. She's staying back with her parents for a few days before driving across the country for auditions and performances. We stumbled on even more coincidences as we chatted during the drive: she studied at the Jacob School of Music at Indiana, where my aunt Ellen studied, and they knew teachers in common (and had very similar opinions of them); she mentioned that she had just met up with her college friend on the trail, and I remembered Mantis' UVA hat. Turns out I've already met him, so we talked about him for a while. Mantis just got to Damascus, so he may be one of the first people I see when I come back. Cars are so much faster than people. In under an hour, we were pulling in to the parking lot of the La Quinta Inn where I'll be staying the night. I thanked Martha profusely and said goodbye, and headed inside. Apparently the "Instant Hold" reservation I made with just my phone number worked, and within seconds I was in my hotel room. I lazed around, texted Ali, showered and watched some episodes of China, IL (something of an off-day tradition for some reason) before heading across the street to Cracker Barrel for dinner. I had forgotten that chicken and dumplings are not the most flavorful combination, but the raspberry lemonade was exceptional, and I drank about six mugs and then took home a big to-go cup at my waitress's suggestion. Doing laundry at the hotel was an epic journey including many trips to the lobby for quarters and a lot of time spent face timing with Ali while I waited for someone else's loads to finish. But eventually I had clean clothes and said goodnight to Ali.It is strange to be getting off the trail for a while. I've become accustomed to a certain rhythm of life. Right now this still feels like a nearo day into town. I think that feeling will subside when I get on an airplane. But I'm incredibly excited to see everyone at home, and frankly, I'm very happy with how this leg of my journey has been. I'm just about four miles short of the one quarter mark of the entire trail (crazy) in just over a month, I've had astoundingly good weather, met some great people, and pushed myself in some wonderful ways. Not sure what my journal will look like for the next couple days. I'll probably check in once or twice, but expect me to be back fully by the 12th! Thanks for reading!