Date: 2016-06-06
From: Windy Rock

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 34.0
Weather: light intensity drizzle

6/6Now is the time to make big miles.... While to many it may seem summer is not even here yet, anyone on the AT and serious about actually finishing their journey has to now start hiking ... Especially those still in mid-Virginia (and that is definately me).For those of you planning a thru-hike and following my posts, here is a tip... When you start your thru, immediately stab (in the heart with a hiking pole) the first person who says something about Virginia being easy and "don't worry you can "make up miles" in VA". The reality is VA is easier than say Georgia or North Carolina, but there still are mountains to climb. We are all making bigger miles, but I think it's more about being in better shape and also seeing the need for greater urgency.The last two days I churned out respectable 17 mile days. Yesterday seemed much more taxing than today. I stopped tonight at the Pickle Branch Shelter where there is a big group of us. The plan is to hike to Four Pines Hostel in the morning. Many need resupply and several (including myself) have a box awaiting.So the following were the highlights from June 6 and 7:I found myself at a shelter (midday lunch) with Alastair (U.K.) and a fast hiker named Lumberjack (Canada). Bring that it was June 6th (anniversary of D Day) I could not help myself and asked both of them why the Brits and Canadians got the easy beaches to land on. Lumberjack being Canadian and 24 didn't even seem to recall there being a war. Alastair on the other hand took a bite and suggested the Germans were too afraid of the Brits and focused on "the Yanks".We soon turned to discussing Lumberjacks 30 mile days. I personally don't get why someone would want to take it so fast, but hey man, hike your own hike. I will probabally not see him again or if I do it will be at a hostel and he will have ice on his knees.Alastair and I traded leads back in forth all day the other day. He has a habit of taking breaks and smoking Swisher Sweets. They are not, as he says, "fine and proper " cigars. Alastair and I were together when we past the Keffer Oak which is the largest oak on AT in the south. It was 18 feet in diameter and 300 years old. I like trees and this one was impressive.The trail also winded through some open hay fields and meadows. At least one was recently cut, but not yet bailed. I also saw the first sign of beavers (dam and lodge) in a meadow pond. Here in VA their hay fields have steep inclines and the AT goes straight up. Yesterday I turned to an Allman Brithers favorite (Dreams) to help me motor up the open fields and back into the shade of the trees.The day ended at Server Hollow Shelter which was located .4 miles off the actual trail and down a steep hill. It was a tough way to end the day and I knew the climb would suck in the morning.This morning I made the climb out. I was not the last one out, but definately not the first. The first six miles were easy and I hiked with my IPod playing Pink Floyd, Phish, String Cheese and then I went with old country for a period (Merle, Willie, etc.). I listened to Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon to get going and it always makes me think of my friend Robert Hogg. Robert is no longer with us and it was good walking alone and reflecting.Midday I stopped at a shelter and the entire crew was there. It seems the crew I left in Pearisburg has caught up as there was Feather, Gaia, Bear Bait, Cake, Big Bird, Salsa, etc. Here we discussed plans for the next few days.The second part of the day was more challenging and included a 1,300 elevation change over one mile. At the top was a bonus... The Audie Murphy memorial. Audie Murphy, originally from Texas, was the most decorated soldier in WW2 and died in 1971 near here in a plane crash. The monument was off the trail and I went up there to see in. Much to my surprise Alastair was up there sitting on one of the two benches and enjoying a Swisher Sweet. Before I left Nsvigator and Big Bird came up as well.The next stop was Trout Creek where once again the crew all ended up. It was only a mile from the shelter we plan on staying so everyone took their shoes off and soaked their feet in the water. It was relaxing. Unfortunately Trout Creek does not have trout (or at least in that part) so my fly rod stayed packed. I soaked the longest and hiked out leaving only Cake who was waiting for a friend to pick her up at the road by the creek. My extra soaking ended up getting me caught in a rain shower just a half mile from Pickle a Branch Shelter where I am now.Pickle Branch Shelter is .3 miles off trail. Jack Rabbit came in after we were all hete and reported two bears at the intersection of the AT and the trail to the shelter and as I type this coyotes are yipping and howling in the woods... This could be an interesting night.