Date: 2023-05-01
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: US 501 to Stanimals in Glasgow 
Miles today: 20.0

Hiking day 51, Ending Elevation 666 feetWhat a day! This is what happens when you don¢t make plans. We thought we were going to do one thing and ended up doing something entirely different.First of all, it rained last night, but only enough to gently patter on the tent and by morning, all was dry. We had a rich pink sunrise, followed by a dance of clouds of white and grey; sun and blue sky that kept us entertained and at times, anxious (about potential rain), all day.A lot of climbing today. I think it was on the second mountain that we came upon a giant globe comprising hexagons with giant wands sticking out of it. Alone it looked like something out of a science fiction movie, but it was surrounded by a lot of earthbound security and a bunch of cell phone disks on a tower next to it. There was no indication what the globe was, some secret communication or tracking device probably. I only mentioned this because with cell coverage we were able to check the weather, which promised no rain today. That made us feel better at the time, even though in fact, it did rain later.The sky was a churning swirl of contrasts in grey clouds mixed with a little blue sky and sunlight. At one point, the forest appeared yellow against the iron grey sky. No matter how many forests we walk through, even similar ones, each day seems to bring a new aspect to see and contemplate.We were planning to hike possibly 18 miles today and push on tomorrow for a re-supply in Lexington the following day. But it was only 4 p.m. when we got to Matt¢s Creek where we planned to stop so we pushed on to the James River Trailhead, where Dob, who we met earlier today on the trail was awaiting a ride to Stanimals Hostel. So we shuttled with him, with Spotter driving. Mags who is running the hostel told us she had no more bunks, but we could tent on the lawn, which looked very nice. Then the local Episcopal Church came to pick up all the hikers for a pasta dinner they were serving up due to the fact that the only restaurant in town is closed on Monday. Off we went for a filling and tasty meal! And who should I meet there but a fellow retired Scout Executive, Charlie Rogers from Chester County Council! What a small world!One of the ladies at the church asked me if we could use some dog food, because her dog did not like the food she had bought. I gratefully accepted, because that was on my list to buy at the Dollar Store.We did some food shopping at the Dollar General Store and when we returned to the hostel it was raining, so Mags invited us to take the double bed in her bedroom (not as kinky as it sounds, and very generous, we thought under the circumstances). Tomorrow, we plan to take a little break and slack pack the next 11 miles so we can rest a little before we push on to Waynesboro and Shenandoah National Park.I know this is a bit long, but it was truly a serendipitous day¢¦.not at all what we had planned!People:Lots of new and old faces at the hostel. I¢m sure most we will not meet again!Kilroy, we met again¢¦.I can¢t remember where we first encountered himSandman from the UKSolo, recently retired at 67, from IllinoisThe 2 Daves and Superior are here too.